Ceramics: A Potter's Handbook

Chapter 6 of Ceramics: A Potter’s Handbook is focused on hand building techniques in ceramics. This section goes through various methods of hand building such as coils, slabs, and molds. This ranges from small to large sculptures and works. These techniques have been in use with potters for thousands of years, in various cultures. Pinching is a method for clay in which plastic clay and fingers are all the materials necessary. The clay is cupped in the hand, then the thumb is used as a center piece for the clay and then pinched around, making a bowl. This method is a starting point for beginner potters. Coiling is a traditional method for pottery and can be done through rolling out coils or ropes of clay to a desired thickness. The coiled clay is then stacked and can be smoothed together or left to display the ridges. Coils can also be added to slabs within joints, this helps minimize cracking at the joint of the slabs. When assembling coils, they should be pressed together firmly, using a pinching method, along with overlapping to ensure stability. The coils can also be added to wheel throw pieces or as connectors for openwork forms and
This means that a pinched lump of clay can be coiled for a rim and a slab could be added, creating a different type of vessel or sculpture. Extruded forms can include extruded coils and slabs, in which the potter takes out the need to roll the coils his/her self. Experimental methods include slip casting in which paper is added. The paper can burn out and lessen the drying rate. Techniques can also be used in architecture. This can be used in the form of modeling, which can translate to a larger piece. Another way is ceramic tile, used in homes. Large sculptures can weigh more than 50 pounds and requires a different approach in terms of moving and building. It is also more difficult to fire, due to sheer