“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” 

- Steve Jobs

Keeping a sketchbook is an essential tool for almost all artists, in one form of another! 

REASONS TO KEEP A SKETCHBOOK: 

• A thinking tool: Record your thoughts! However small or insignificant a thought may seem at the time, it just might develop into something really cool later... if you don't jot them down, they'll be gone. Examples could be an idea for a piece you'd like to make, a note about a piece of art that you saw and liked, an issue you'd like to discuss in your art, just something you saw on the side of the road. 

• To explore alternative solutions/To develop multiple variations: When you are thinking about making a piece of art, you'll often come up with better, more interesting results if you don't make the very first version your idea. Brainstorm in your sketchbook. What are different ways you could communicate that idea, or execute that artwork? Use the power of "WHAT IF." What if I made this four times? What if I made this four times larger? What if I made this out of cardboard? Aluminum foil? Cheddar cheese?

• To see where you have been and where you are going: Sometimes it will be helpful to 'rewind' back to an iteration of an idea that you had earlier. maybe you went down a conceptual path that didn't pan out. Maybe you just want to get back to the root of your original motivation, and see how your thoughts and ideas have evolved as you have worked on them. Go back and read your notes, look at your preliminary sketches. They may reveal things you don't expect. 

• To explore structural, material or technical problems: Sketchbooks are a great way to think VISUALLY. Often you can save loads of time (and material) by sketching out different approaches before you actually build something. Your sketches may show you where you might run into problems, and give you a heads up.

• To discover new relationships: Sometimes your sketchbook pages will juxtapose ideas from different projects or assignments. These topics might seem unrelated at first, but notice them. Make associations and connections (in terms of subject matter, materials, design elements, etc.). Apply something that worked for you in one area to a different project and see what happens!

• To explore sources: EVERYTHING is material for your ART. Gather notes from things that happen in your life, words you like, sensory experiences, textures, objects, conversations. If you like it, or it catches your attention for some reason: jot it down, or better yet - make a quick drawing of it! the drawing doesn't need to be professional, it only needs to remind you of the thing you are recording!

• To record sources from other artists: Have you ever seen something cool and then forgotten where you saw it and now you're pissed because you'll never find it again?? Use your sketchbook to remember the names of artists, pieces, art movements/styles, etc. that grabbed your attention, then Google them later! See something in a magazine or online, an old photo, a Japanese candy wrapper that catches you eye for some reason? Glue it into your sketchbook. You connected with that image/font/color for some reason. Something will come of it later. Your sketchbook is a min archive of your brain. 

• A hard copy sketchbook is required for this class, and besides its fun. Blank page/unlined is best. You will be sharing pages of your sketchbook (that you select) with me, by taking photos (see Photography below).

TOOLS

*Tool kits are available at Clay Planet 

 Located at 1775 Russell Ave. in San Jose.   408 295 3352.  Clay Planet Kemper tools are high quality but more expensive. A serviceable kit is available through Amazon and other venues.   

Or through Amazon

A basic ceramic tool set is a good starter kit and should include a wire cut off tool, needle tool, loop tools, rib and fettling knife. 

Additional tools will be discussed at our first class meeting.  Let's get creative with our tools.

Minimum tool needs are as follows: 

• Sketchbook (sturdy binding with blank/unlined pages) 

• Ceramics tool kit* (includes a sponge, needle tool, wire cut-off tool, trimming tool, rib)

• Metal kitchen fork

• Tool box or bucket  

• Small plastic container with lid for slip

• Lightweight Plastic (clear only) to cover and protect your artwork,

• Work towel

• Combination lock

Additional optional tools are as follows: 

brushes 

work apron

modeling tools

Your lab fee provides you with 25 lbs. of clay, plaster and mold making materials.  The lab fee also includes the cost of glazes and kiln firings for your class projects.

We will get into the details of health and safety later, but keep in mind that safety comes first! Utility knives are sharp, it's not good to breathe clay dust, etc. And remember to unplug that hot glue gun. Seriously. 

Often you'll be showing me and your classmates your work through photographs.  Plan to take photos with whatever mobile device you have, and upload them to Canvas. (How to upload photos to Canvas on your computer or on a mobile device). We will get into further detail on this, but keep in mind: 

• Take lots of progress photos, showing all the steps from beginning to end. This sounds simple, but it's easy to get so in the zone that you forget! I want to see your work in progress, BEFORE it's finished, just as much as the finished product. 

• Take photos from multiple angles. Front, side, top and underneath views will help me get a better sense of your pieces. Come in close to show details and textures. 

• Try your best to have good lighting, a neutral background (like a white wall or sheet), and have your images in focus. 

• For advice on taking Photos of 3D Artwork check out this video from AftrArt.