SLAB CONSTRUCTION

• A SLAB is clay that has been flattened and compressed to be a ‘sheet’ or ‘pancake’.• This can be used to

construct functional and non functional ceramic works.• Slab Construction is a

popular hand-building technique because it is possible to create very unique work.

SLABS

FLATTEN THE CLAY OUT MANUALLY

MAKE THE SLAB BY THROWING, ROLLING PIN, OR SLAB ROLLER

Methods:• Throwing a slab: Gently throw

clay onto surface lined with newspaper. Throwing should be at an angle to stretch out clay, not straight down. Turn slab over with each throw.

• Rolling pin: Roll out clay on surface lined with newspaper. The goal is to thin the slab gradually. Turn with every roll.

• Slab roller: Place the clay between two pieces of fabric. Clay should never touch the rollers. Roll the clay through a high setting, lowering by ½ cm each time through. Transfer clay to newspaper to work with at table.

MAKING THE SLAB

CAREFULLY CUT OUT ALL SIDES OF WORK.

SLABS CAN ONLY BE ASSEMBLED IF THE CLAY IS THE SAME CONSISTENCY.

SCORE AND SLIP ALL SURFACES THAT WILL BE ATTACHED.

NOTE: BECAUSE THE CLAY SLAB IS THICKER THAN YOUR PAPER TEMPLATE, BE PREPARED TO TRIM SOME SLABS AS NEEDED.

CAREFULLY ATTACH

USE A THIN COIL TO SEAL SLABS AND JOIN WELL. USE A TOOL TO SMOOTH JOINT.

FINISH ALL SURFACES

• When rolling your slab, think about adding texture such as organic material, fabric, strings, etc.• Soft slabs are better for

curves, rigid slabs are better for creating flat surfaces.• Handles and small

sculpted elements will make your work more interesting.• ALL SLAB WORK SHOULD

BE DRIED SLOWLY….

MORE ON SLABS

• Class map• Clay process notes• Coil notes and

drawings• Glaze notes• Glaze quiz• Pinch/Coil Self

Reflection• Elements and

Principles notes• Slab construction

notes• Slab design

drawings

JOURNAL CHECK ON THURSDAY

• You must have a detailed drawing in your journal and a 3d paper model of your slab construction project.

• Ask yourself: Is this interesting? Are the measurements accurate? What will this be used for? Will it accomplish that purpose? Can it have the same function with more aesthetic interest?

SLAB CONSTRUCTION PLANNING