Today you will have the period to work on two projects. First priority should be completing your post fired finish on your gargoyle. On your block day last week, a demonstration was given to show you how to apply the paint. You were shown the two part process which included the following;
1) Application of the watered down black acrylic paint. The paint was heavily watered down to the consistency of cream. Then the bisque fired piece was covered with black making sure to completely cover. The black was then scrubbed off of all the surface area that was not recessed with stamping or actual texture.
2) Chose a limited color palette for gargoyles. A limited palette means to chose just a few colors, a dominant color, a secondary color choice and a color used for an accent or emphasis.
3) Paint is applied with stiff acrylic brushes, not soft water color brushes. It is applied using a dry brush method. It is almost like "dusting" the color on. Just the tip of the brush should have color on it. Even then, some of the color often needs to be painted off before you apply the brush to your piece. Part of the underneath layer is still visible especially all the black in the recessed areas. This is VERY important. If the paint is accidentally applied in a thick manner, it should be immediately washed off and the student should try again.
4) Once the post fired finish has been completed, the piece will be carefully sprayed with Crystal Clear. This also takes some effort to do correctly. Make sure to spray at least 8 inches away. Several thin coats should be applied, NOT one heavy coat. If the Crystal Clear is applied in such a way that it is running in drips on your piece, your final grade on the finish will go down.
When your gargoyle is finished, you should complete your shaker heart if it isn't completed.
Here is a list to go through before you decide you are finished.
1) Your heart needs to have texture on it covering at least half of the surface area, the more, the better. But the texture should be applied carefully and in a well thought out way. Craftsmanship is important. Sloppy work does not enhance your pieces or your grade.
2) There should be some smooth places on your heart. Smooth means very smooth. You can do this with your finger or thumb. you may have to add some moisture. Once your have some smooth areas, it should be burnished.
https://youtu.be/Pxv5HCKjB0U Watch how to burnish. He is using a stone but you can use the clean back of a spoon.
3) Your heart should have areas that have been pressed in as well as pushed out. There should be a variety of surface levels on your heart. I have talked to you about this every day in class.
4) There should be at least one area that has been pressed in where you can adhere something that is important to the meaning of your heart after it has been fired and the final finish has been put on it. It will be adhered with epoxy.
5) Use some steel wool to get the rough edges taken down. Make the surface of your heart as nice as possible. Every project should be getting better as you learn more about working with clay.
6) The final step is to make sure there is at least one small hole that goes from the outside all the way into the hollow part of your heart. I would recommend several just to be on the safe side. This allows any air that might have otherwise been trapped to escape.
7) Place your finished heart on the shelf to be bisque fired.
1) Application of the watered down black acrylic paint. The paint was heavily watered down to the consistency of cream. Then the bisque fired piece was covered with black making sure to completely cover. The black was then scrubbed off of all the surface area that was not recessed with stamping or actual texture.
2) Chose a limited color palette for gargoyles. A limited palette means to chose just a few colors, a dominant color, a secondary color choice and a color used for an accent or emphasis.
3) Paint is applied with stiff acrylic brushes, not soft water color brushes. It is applied using a dry brush method. It is almost like "dusting" the color on. Just the tip of the brush should have color on it. Even then, some of the color often needs to be painted off before you apply the brush to your piece. Part of the underneath layer is still visible especially all the black in the recessed areas. This is VERY important. If the paint is accidentally applied in a thick manner, it should be immediately washed off and the student should try again.
4) Once the post fired finish has been completed, the piece will be carefully sprayed with Crystal Clear. This also takes some effort to do correctly. Make sure to spray at least 8 inches away. Several thin coats should be applied, NOT one heavy coat. If the Crystal Clear is applied in such a way that it is running in drips on your piece, your final grade on the finish will go down.
When your gargoyle is finished, you should complete your shaker heart if it isn't completed.
Here is a list to go through before you decide you are finished.
1) Your heart needs to have texture on it covering at least half of the surface area, the more, the better. But the texture should be applied carefully and in a well thought out way. Craftsmanship is important. Sloppy work does not enhance your pieces or your grade.
2) There should be some smooth places on your heart. Smooth means very smooth. You can do this with your finger or thumb. you may have to add some moisture. Once your have some smooth areas, it should be burnished.
https://youtu.be/Pxv5HCKjB0U Watch how to burnish. He is using a stone but you can use the clean back of a spoon.
3) Your heart should have areas that have been pressed in as well as pushed out. There should be a variety of surface levels on your heart. I have talked to you about this every day in class.
4) There should be at least one area that has been pressed in where you can adhere something that is important to the meaning of your heart after it has been fired and the final finish has been put on it. It will be adhered with epoxy.
5) Use some steel wool to get the rough edges taken down. Make the surface of your heart as nice as possible. Every project should be getting better as you learn more about working with clay.
6) The final step is to make sure there is at least one small hole that goes from the outside all the way into the hollow part of your heart. I would recommend several just to be on the safe side. This allows any air that might have otherwise been trapped to escape.
7) Place your finished heart on the shelf to be bisque fired.