ART 143: Beginning Ceramics - Handbuilding

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2024
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 108
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 72
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Total Student Learning Hours: 108
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This beginning course is an introduction to ceramic handbuilding techniques and processes. Traditional methods of forming, joinery, construction, glazing and firing are introduced. Material fee. 36 lecture hours, 72 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • demonstrate the ability to construct various vessel forms using traditional hand building methods of: slabs, coils, pinching
  • demonstrate the ability to use various joinery methods to construct a handbuilt ceramic vessel
  • demonstrate the ability to use various finishing techniques to successfully complete a handbuilt ceramic vessel: e.g. glace, slip decoration, stains
  • demonstrate knowledge of various historical/cultural aspects of ceramics as reflected in their choice of vessel making

Major Course Content

  1. Introduction
    1. Rules and regulations
    2. Classroom procedures
  2. Pinch Pottery
    1. Japanese Raku-style tea bowl, pinch pot
    2. Pinch pottery based upon African tribal techniques
    3. Complex pinch pots: South American Effigy-style pots
    4. Clay pinch pot whistles
  3. Coiling Methods
    1. Maria Martinez-American Indian
    2. Film of Maria Martinez pueblo potter
    3. Creation of a vessel using the altered coiling methods of Juan Quezada
    4. Jamon pottery lecture and demonstration
  4. Slabs
    1. Soft slabs and textures
    2. Lecture and demonstration - soft slab - drape mold techniques
    3. Lecture and demonstration - English Medieval - inlaid tile, hard slab techniques
    4. Lecture and demonstration - Chinese tray - hard slabbing and piercing
  5. Glazing
    1. Lecture
    2. Decorative techniques
  6. Firing
    1. Cone ten
    2. Raku
    3. Overglaze
    4. Bisque
  7. Paper Work
    1. Museum visit
    2. Gallery report
    3. Mid-term exam and critique
    4. Internet report
    5. Magazine review
    6. Book review

Lab Content

  1. forming methods
    1. pinch
    2. coil
    3. hard slab
    4. soft slab
  2. Decorative techniques
    1. mishima
    2. neriagi
    3. sgraffito
    4. sprigging
    5. inla
    6. carving
    7. mosaic
  3. Studio practice
    1. clay mixing
    2. loading and unloading kilns
    3. pugging of clay
    4. clean up
  4. Written work
    1. gallery review
    2. magazine critique

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Make it in clay, clay and glazes for the potter, ceramics monthly, clay times

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

3-5 pp. museum/gallery critique, journal review

Examples of Outside Assignments

Write essays, research papers, lab reports, or journals Observe activities related to course content Participate in activities related to course content such as gallery and museum visits

Instruction Type(s)

Lab, Lecture, Online Education Lab, Online Education Lecture