Making a ceramic object combines artistry and discipline. Though the final product might look simple and straightforward, each cup, plate, vase or sculpture undergoes several steps to complete the process. For any beginner to learn the art of ceramics, it is necessary to understand how the process works from start to finish.
Each type of clay has its own characteristics that make it more or less appropriate for certain purposes. Different clays result in different textures, strength levels, firing temperatures, and looks in their finished state. There are clays that are specifically designed for everyday functional pots, while there are clays that work better for more abstract or aesthetic works. It is essential for you to carefully choose a type of clay depending on the kind of work that you want to create.
After you select a specific type of clay, you can start shaping it. You can create symmetrical forms using a wheel and create organic forms using hand building techniques such as coiling and slab building. A single piece of pottery may require any or all of these techniques, as they each present a different set of possibilities and challenges.
Shaping is followed by a time of drying for the clay. You must wait for the clay to dry naturally, observing it carefully so that it does not crack or break. You have to take control of the drying process by controlling temperature and humidity and air circulation in order for the clay to dry properly.
After the clay has fully dried, you can start the first firing called the bisque firing. This is a process of changing the clay from dried to fully hardened in a kiln. The structure of the clay is transformed, so it will not be easily broken anymore. However, the material is still porous enough to accept colors and glazes.
The process of glazing the clay will determine the look of the final work. Every type of glaze creates a glossy or matte texture that ranges from vibrant colors to very natural looking shades. You can also create a number of different textures to make your work more interesting. This step brings an unpredictable quality to the work. It is a surprise how the glazes react at high temperature.
The final firing is a process where the glaze melts with clay. The work takes a shape, size, and color according to the glaze and kiln temperature. Small differences in the firing can also result in small differences on the work. No two handmade pieces are ever exactly alike.
The balance between precision and unpredictability is one of the reasons ceramics attracts artists worldwide. Technical skills can be helpful in predicting the process, but clay often presents unexpected colors, shapes and textures, creating different qualities and characters in your work.
Learning the steps in ceramic work will make you understand the potential and the obstacles. Every project will be a step forward and a lesson in itself.
Ceramics is a process that is more than just making clay work. It is a conversation between you, the clay, and the process, and a journey that will allow earth to become a functional, expressive object over time.