Ceramics 1

The project from this semester that I am most proud of is the artist inspired pieces. While making this I was able to use a variety of techniques learned, such as pinch pots and coils. Not only because of the technique but because we were able to choose/ have more free will with the subject of the piece. Not using glaze was something I wasn't planning on liking, however, it gave my pieces a natural look and showed more details. The parts of this piece that I loved doing was making the duck head, it gave me a chance to try different techniques and tools to add the feather texture. Using the slip I added more details to the head and chest, which was a new concept to me.

I had previous experience with clay, from 3D design, AP Art Studio, and working on independent projects in my free time. I knew how to make pinch pots but that was the extent of my knowledge, as the rest was me winging it. Learning how to do things like coils and slabs has made the process of creating faster and of higher quality. This class also made me understand on a deeper level the amount of work and skill that goes into a piece. The glazes were also something I had never focused on, from how you can mix them as well as the unpredictability of how the glazes may or may not come.

Overall, I believe the class structure is strongly layout and covers all the basics thoughtfully. If I were to change something I would get rid of the artist research project at the beginning of the year. It seemed unnecessary and if it was cut future classes might have more time with the end project (inspired artist piece). Saying that I think that we could have used more time for the last project, as I felt that one was the most detailed/time consuming for me.