Small Bust
Planning: I did not want to make anything too abnormal or inventive, so instead opted to make a very simple human face.
Description of Process: I started with a large slab of clay that I molded at the sides to begin to create a neck. I then started to make this top section round so that it was actually the shape of a face. I then focused on the face itself to create the texture that they contain, such as the brow region, and check bones. Then I created two equally sized holes to put in equally sized balls of clay to act as eyes. I then slightly brought up/down the tops and bottoms of the eyes to make them seem inside the face rather than on top of it. I then added a roughly nosed-shaped piece of clay to the face to create a nose. I then hollowed it all out through the bottom and by removing the top of the head to re-add it afterward.
Reflection: I definitely could have gone further with this, but I was having trouble because I am very inexperienced with making faces and instead usually opt to make cups or bowls. The shoulder area also could have improved upon, but I would have to add clay. Most of the downfalls of this piece were as a result of me not being able to find it after putting it up on the shelf to work further on.
Current Artist Inspired Piece
Planning: I wanted to recreate something by Ivan Seal but was unsure what to make. Most of his pieces are much more abstract, so I instead make this because it would be easier and turn out better.
Description of Process: I started by making a slab and then adding the sides together but a lot of extra so that I could make the not cylinder part. I then used a felting knife to add cuts so that the different parts could be added. Its rather hard to explain how I made this because I am unsure what the terminology for this could be.
Reflection: I like it. If I had made the dimsisions slightly different it could have been used as a cup, but in this case the "handle" part was too oddly shaped to be used as a handle.
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Alebrijes
Planning: I wanted to make a turtle and had planned on using somewhat realistic colors because I don't enjoy the look of the wacky colors on real alebrijes.
Description of Process. I started with a slightly hollowed-out blob of clay to use as the shell. I used a felting knife to make details in the shell-like scales. I then scored and slipped on further blobs to act as the limbs. I then made a semi-sphere to create the head. I pinched the tip to create a snout and used a signing tool to make eye holes. I then used underglaze to add the colors needed.
Reflection: The turtle itself - although simplistic and not realistic - is okay. But the colors ended up not working out because despite using 2 different shades of blue and 2 different shades of green they all pretty much look the same. If I were to do it again I would be a bit different with my choices of color, but still stick to browns/greens/blues as opposed to non-turtle colors.
Useful Piece
Planning: I wanted to make something that had white, green, blue, and pink in it, with the incorporation of flowers also being an option. At first, I planned to make the flower pattern on a cup, but this changed to a vase for flowers instead after my initial attempt at a cup led to a somewhat weird shape. I didn't use any darts and instead made it fully straight up so that the flowers wouldn't look weird.
Description of Process: I made a very basic slab building vase. Nothing really was to be noted about it outside of the trouble in smoothing out the combined parts on the inside due to my fingers being unable to reach it. I then used underglaze to draw on the flowers, which took many layers to make sure it wouldn't be patchy. Unfortunately, the white background still ended up looking patchy I think in part due to how thin the underglaze felt. I then fired it put on a clear glaze and fired it again.
Reflection: I overall am very happy with this piece. I wish the white background was more consistent and maybe e could have used a different shade of white underglaze or done more layers to fix it. I've found through this project that when I have an actual purpose for a piece (such as someone to give it to) I put in much more effort (even if by most other's standards this is a very easy piece to make). Despite being worth only half as much as every other project I put more effort and care into this than I did with any other piece I made this unit.
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