Unit Four : Coil Built Bowls

Unit Outcomes

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

Identify and explain what a coil is.
Design a template.
Correctly utilize the Coil technique to create a ceramic form with consistent thickness.
Utilize their template to guide the construction of their form.
Apply Scoring & Slipping to construct a ceramic form.
Utilize variation to create visual interest in the form.

< ----- Consider adding a video of yourself giving an overview of this unit and "hooking" students in.

Questions we will explore together...

Over the next two weeks, I'd like you to consider this COMPELLING QUESTIONS:

How can we take an artwork from the idea/design stage to construction and completion?
What are the processes and procedures for successfully working with clay?

To help you form an opinion about the compelling question, we will explore these SUPPORTING QUESTIONS:

What is a Template and how can it help you?
How does the Coil technique work and what can I do with it?
Why is Scoring & Slipping a necessary step to creating sturdy forms?
How do I apply this hand building technique with skill and success?
How can adding variation in an art work create stronger visual interest?
What is a Glaze and how do I use it?

Important vocabulary you'll need to know...

Academic Vocabulary

Create - to bring into existence.

Function - what something is used for.

Interpretation - an explanation of the meaning of artistic or creative work.

Design - to plan and fashion the form and structure of an object, work of art, decorative scheme, etc.

Process - a particular course of action intended to achieve a result.

Evaluate - to make a judgement on the importance, quality, or worth of an object, idea or piece.

Revise - to alter something already begun or created, in order to make corrections or improvements.

Reflect - Careful consideration of your thoughts, choices and creations.

Content Vocabulary

Template - Anything that determines or serves as a pattern; a model:

White Talc Clay - A type of Low Fire Earthenware clay that is usually grey or cream when wet and fires to white.

Coil Technique - Hand building technique in which rope-like pieces of clay are joined to construct a form. To start the clay is cut into long pieces of clay with square ends. These pieces are rolled on a flat surface with your hands going from finger tips to wrists and back. This will lengthen the coil and thin then out. This technique is good for forms that curve in and out.

Glaze - An impervious layer or coating of a vitreous (glass like) substance which has been fused to a ceramic body through firing. Glaze can serve to color, decorate or waterproof an item. Glazing renders earthenware vessels suitable for holding liquids, sealing the inherent porosity of un-glazed biscuit (fired) earthenware.

Fettling Knife - A knife with a long blade and wooden handle that is used to cut and trim ceramic forms.

Pin Tool - A basic tool with a handle and needle/pin sticking out or the top. It it used in hand building and wheel throwing to trim or cut clay and to "draw" out light designs in the clay.

Toothed Scraper - A metal, bean shaped tool with little teeth around the edge. It is used for scoring clay when building pieces together.

Scoring and Slipping - A method of joining two pieces of clay together. First, score the clay; this means that you make scratches in the surfaces that will be sticking together. Then you slip it; that is you wet the surface with some slip, using it like glue.

Slip - A liquid form of clay (literally clay with lots of water added to it) used as a glue or as decoration. It should be the consistency of yogurt.

Decorative - Some that is meant to be used or useful.

Vessel - a hollow container used to hold things.

Foot - The bottom or base of a ceramic vessel.

Body - The widest part of the ceramic vessel.

Lip - The top edge or opening of the ceramic vessel.

Wedging - What we do to prepare our clay to work with it. It removes air pockets, unifies the clay, and can dry it up some if it's too wet. You will learn 3 types -Bull Nose, Spiral, and Drop.

Reclaiming - The process of recycling clay so that it is Cheese Hard again and ready to make more art work.

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