Pdragrande@AOL.COM on fri 8 sep 00
Recently someone (I think it was Diana) asked about having their students
keep a record of their pottery in a sketchbook or journal. I have been
making pots for more than 20 years, but I just began using a sketchbook a few
months ago. I can't believe how handy it is--especially because I like to
experiment with various clays, glazes and glazing techniques. When I taught
pottery to others I always tried to encourage students to have an idea of how
they wanted to glaze a pot when they made it. I think a sketchbook would
encourage this.
This is how I do it. After throwing and trimming a pot I draw a quick sketch
of it in my book. I write down what kind of clay I used. Then I write my
idea of how I plan to glaze it. I also put the date. After the pot is
bisqued, I may already know how to glaze it or I may have changed my plans.
I glaze it and make notes of how I did it. When it comes out of the kiln I
have an excellent record of exactly how the object was made. I examine the
results carefully and make more notes if I want. Eventually the pot will
sell, but I will still have a record of it. All of this sketching and note
taking takes my only minutes, but I am enjoying and learning from it.
Maybe this technique would be useful to students or to other potters.
Nancy
Khaimraj Seepersad on fri 8 sep 00
Good Day to All ,
Hello Nancy ,
you can also do it like this . Draw the pot , refine the image , and
apply designs .
I usually try to build to what I have drawn , and calculate for
shrinkage as well . Keeps my mind alert .
Also allows me to design with balance and continuity in mind.
So a tea set will have the same idea passing through all the shapes
used.
Notes on glazes are also made , as well as any special comments
and so on.
Following your example , I also write all post Kiln firing comments.
This saves me having to look for the same clay deposit , as it's
location is in the book .
There is a little publication - Thinking with a pencil - out there , that
helps speed up the process of drawing to create .
Sketch or Notebooks are wonderful aids to the memory .
Stay Well ,
Khaimraj
-----Original Message-----
From: Pdragrande@AOL.COM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: 08 September 2000 6:00
Subject: Pottery sketchbook
>Recently someone (I think it was Diana) asked about having their students
>keep a record of their pottery in a sketchbook or journal. I have been
>making pots for more than 20 years, but I just began using a sketchbook a
few
>months ago. I can't believe how handy it is--especially because I like to
>experiment with various clays, glazes and glazing techniques. When I
taught
>pottery to others I always tried to encourage students to have an idea of
how
>they wanted to glaze a pot when they made it. I think a sketchbook would
>encourage this.
>
>This is how I do it. After throwing and trimming a pot I draw a quick
sketch
>of it in my book. I write down what kind of clay I used. Then I write my
>idea of how I plan to glaze it. I also put the date. After the pot is
>bisqued, I may already know how to glaze it or I may have changed my plans.
>I glaze it and make notes of how I did it. When it comes out of the kiln I
>have an excellent record of exactly how the object was made. I examine the
>results carefully and make more notes if I want. Eventually the pot will
>sell, but I will still have a record of it. All of this sketching and note
>taking takes my only minutes, but I am enjoying and learning from it.
>
>Maybe this technique would be useful to students or to other potters.
>Nancy
>
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