Design
with sprigs on greenware or bisque.
You
will find this process of adding
dimensional design elements to greenware
and even bisque most appealing. It's
fun and creative.. often puts the artist
more attune to shape and design than
simply painting. This is not the old
fashion "add flowers and leaves on
wet greenware"..
Before we
begin... here is just a reminder.
Think creative! For what we are about to
cover here is just the beginning of what
can be accomplished. I promise
you will have so much fun while producing
one of a kind ware. We are just giving you
some basics... but the possibilities are
unlimited. Even for one of a kind
production ware you will find these simple
steps will result in ware that will
capture a consumer audience.. |
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What you will
need:
-Some Sprig Mold Designs
-A piece of Masonite.. (any hardware
store) for some absorption while working
with the clay.
-A rolling pin, or dowel rod.
-A plastic 90 degree angle (available
at office supply store)
-Clay
-Exacto knife..
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Before
you begin, you may want to rub your hands
very lightly with some olive oil.
Very lightly, you don't want oily
hands, just enough to not dry your hands
out.
Take a piece of clay
about the size of a golf ball. Maybe a bit
larger depending on the size of the sprig
you are working with.
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Using
the rolling pin, roll clay out on Masonite
surface to about 3/16" thickness. |
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underside of the rolled clay should be
smooth and without lines or cracks.
This is important, because if you have any
cracks or lines in the clay before
pressing, they will show up in your
finished sprig. |
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Use your
Exacto knife or needle tool to trim a clay
piece (smooth side down ) about the size
of the sprig mold impression. |
| We are
working with the small holly leaf.
Lay the clay piece on top of the
indention, with smooth side down. |
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With your
fingers, press the clay into the
impression. Pushing straight down.
Do not push outward, as if trying to fill
the cavity. This will result in unwanted
markings in the impression of the sprig. |
| To remove the
excess clay use the plastic 90 degree
angle. It has a nice edge, that will
remove the excess clay without damaging
the mold.
Begin in the center and
pull towards you. DO NOT TRY AND REMOVE
ALL THE CLAY PULLING IN ONE DIRECTION WITH
ONE SWIPE.
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Turn around
and place the angle back in the center and
pull the rest of the clay off.
On larger sprig designs you may have
to make 3 or 4 swipes from the center. It
all depends on the size and design. |
| To remove the
clay, take a little lump of the moist
clay. |
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And press it
at some point on the edge of the clay.
Half the lump of clay will be on the mold
and half will be on the sprig.
Simply pull it up. |
| Your sprig
design is done !! |
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Remove the
lump of clay from the sprig and you are
ready to go at it again. You can
make 15 to 20 sprigs in about 10 minutes.
This is much faster than casting.
Your edges are always
perfect and need very little if any
additional cleaning. Perfect little
additions..
Using moist clay instead of slip, to
create a sprig allows for more creativity.
Your sprig can be shaped and formed
dramatically with out cracking. You
will learn more in future classrooms that
study sprigs.
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