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Ceramics techniques - EduqasSlab building and relief

Find out about the different ways to use and build clay and various finishing techniques that can be used to colour and decorate clay objects. These methods have advantages and disadvantages and require different skills, techniques and equipment.

Part of Art and DesignSculpture

Slab building and relief

A yellow-brown triangular box and lid with triangle designs on its faces
Figure caption,
Slabs can be constructed to make functional objects

Slab building needs careful preparation but can make some impressive sculptural objects or vessels.

A lump of clay is first rolled out onto either a sheet of fabric or paper, using a rolling pin. The clay needs to be flipped over and rotated to achieve an even slab.

Slabs are easier to work with once they have reached the stage. They can be cut using a potter鈥檚 knife or sharp modelling tool.

To attach slabs together, the two connecting edges need to be and . The slabs are pressed firmly together along the joining edges - the slip binds them.

A green glazed bowl designed to resemble a leaf
Image caption,
Pressing an object into the slab before construction can add decorative surface effects

Relief

Dark blue detailed sculpture of a horse鈥檚 head in profile
Figure caption,
Texture and glaze can highlight reliefs to create a bold and impressive piece

Relief puts less stress on the clay so it is less likely to crack when fired. Slabs of clay can be laid over preformed objects to create 3D shapes. These can then be built upon using modelling and hand building techniques. This is useful for making masks.