Beginning Ceramics B

Storyteller Construction

 

The body of the storyteller can be constructed in several ways:  in a hollow form, over a balloon, or over newspaper.  Below are steps to create your storyteller.

 

Hollow Form

 

  1. Start with a pinch bowl for the base.
  2. Attach coils to create the tall cylindrical slender body.
  3. Create a head by rolling a ball of clay into a shape.  Be sure to carve out the head.
  4. The main features are added to the head (mouth, eyes, nose, etc.)
  5. The head is attached to the body and the facial features are refined.
  6. Be sure to put a pin hole in the base of the head and the base of the body.
  7. Create the other figures.

 

Balloon Form

1.   Roll out a large slab of clay using a rolling pin and two guide sticks.

  1. Wrap the slab around the inflated balloon, cutting off excess clay, and blending with a rubber kidney.
  2. Create a head by rolling a ball of clay into a shape.  Be sure to carve out the head.
  3. The main features are added to the head (mouth, eyes, nose, etc.)
  4. The head is attached to the body and the facial features are refined.
  5. After the body is leather hard (firm), take a pin tool and pop the balloon.
  6. Be sure to put a pin hole in the base of the head and the base of the body.
  1. Create the other figures.

 

Newspaper Form

  1. Roll out a large slab of clay using a rolling pin and two guide sticks.
  2. Wrap the slab around the crumpled newspaper, cutting off excess clay, and blending with a rubber kidney.
  3. Create a head by rolling a ball of clay into a shape.  Be sure to carve out the head.
  4. The main features are added to the head (mouth, eyes, nose, etc.)
  5. The head is attached to the body and the facial features are refined.
  6. Be sure to put a pin hole in the base of the head and the base of the body.
  7. Create the other figures.