Pinch Pot Form

Practice Build

Objectives:

- We will demonstrate effective use of art media and tools; in ceramics
- We will understand and practice the process of creating the pinch pot form in ceramic clay.
- We will understand and practice how to attach two pieces of clay together effectively, using 'score and slip'
- We will understand the characteristics of a successful pinch pot form
- We will understand and utilize the studio procedures for working with ceramic clay

TEKS:

Art, Level II (c)(1)(A) - use visual comparisons to illustrate concepts and ideas from direct observation, original sources, experiences, narration, and imagination for original artworks
Art, Level II (c)(2)(F) - demonstrate effective use of art media and tools in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, design, and digital art and media

Vocabulary

Pinch method - A way of creating forms through hand-building in clay

Coils - long ropes or snake like pieces of clay used to extend a vessel or adornment

Score and Slip - The method you use to connect two or more pieces of clay together

Slab - thick flat piece of clay created by rolling or pressing clay out

Rubric for The Pinch Pot Form

Pinch Pot Form - Practice Build

Activity Steps:

Gather a square of clay from the teacher, if more rectangle than square, tap the clay into a square on the table.

Once a square, tap down all corners and sides then pass the clay from hand to hand, rotating to create a sphere. Be sure to NOT allow the clay to fold because it will trap air inside. You can smooth the clay if it starts to crease, BEFORE it becomes a fold

Smooth your sphere as nicely as possible, and then choose the ugliest spot of your clay.

4. Hold your clay sphere in your non-dominant palm and insert your other thumb into the clay until you feel the pressure of your thumb pushing against your other palm.

5. Now, using the pads of your thumb and fingers, pinch softly but firmly at the base of your pinch pot. Continue around the bottom ring of your pot, overlapping your pinch marks.

If any cracks begin, dip your finger in water and smooth the crack away. Repeat this process any time a crack begins.

6. Now move up the wall of your pot and repeat the pinching process around the pot again. Continue until all the way up to the rim of your pot. Your goal is to have the same even thickness of clay at every point in your pinch pot.

7. Avoid pinching the rim of your pinch pot, instead tap it upside-down on the table softly to even out, then smooth extra clay over to thinner areas as needed.

8. Move around the inside and outside of your pot, very gently squeezing any raised ridges, this will smooth out the walls.

Adding Feet to your Pinch Pot Form

You can use simple coils to make a lip on your pot, a foot ring, decoration and even a handle.

To create coils;

take a piece of clay,
squeeze it into a sausage shape
slightly twist the sausage shape by twisting the ends in opposite directions - this helps your coil avoid flattening out when you roll it out!
roll across table using your full hand and fingers
switch position on clay and roll back towards yourself (make sure the clay is fully rotating evenly)

You must add clay onto your pinch pot form using the score and slip process: