Working Big
A goal I set for myself quite long ago was to work in reverse: instead of building up an object from scratch and adding layers and embellishments, I would start with a solid block of clay and work from the outside in, by removing material. Here are my first attempts:
100 grams of copper
Before firing
Side view
Back view
100 grams
Back view
200 grams of copper
Side view
Next: 600 grams waiting.
July 19th, 2014 at 12:54 pm
Awesome! I can’t wait to see what’s inside that lump.
July 19th, 2014 at 12:56 pm
Wow! It has a real sense of mass….while your components ones are a bit more ‘ethereal’. Did you enjoy the new process?
July 19th, 2014 at 12:57 pm
I’d love to know what firing schedule you came up with for these. Pretty amazing!
July 19th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Amazing!
July 19th, 2014 at 1:27 pm
Alisa, Oh, yes. I had a lot of fun.
July 19th, 2014 at 1:28 pm
Melanie, this was quick-fire clay so I used the long uninterrupted schedule, holding 2 hours at 1000F.
July 19th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
Oh yeah! Love the first one with all the steps. Looks like ancient cliff homes. Can just imagine stepping inside and exploring!
July 19th, 2014 at 2:24 pm
I don’t need bigger…failures
July 19th, 2014 at 2:30 pm
Are these just objets d’art, to sit on a desk, paperweights, or pendants? If pendants, I didn’t see where you would run the chain. Thanks for giving us the time and temp.
July 19th, 2014 at 2:48 pm
Is that the recommended firing schedule for all quick-fire copper, or just large pieces? I can’t dind the firing schedule for quick-fire copper anywhere.
July 19th, 2014 at 4:06 pm
Janice, This is to heavy to be jewelry. Could be paper weights. Or just art, not functional.
July 19th, 2014 at 4:08 pm
Linda, This schedule works very well for Quick-fire copper. I fired at 1750 because my kiln is brick. In a muffle kiln fire at 1800.
July 20th, 2014 at 1:18 am
I may have to try this method. I haven’t quite brought myself to spend 600 grams on one project, but I’ve been working on hollow form statues of 155-300 grams, ranging from three inches to six inches high. Challenging indeed!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/194135420/smiling-sam-the-sidhe-shrub-unique?
July 20th, 2014 at 8:49 am
Very exciting. I make belt buckles, would like to start trying clay. What materials (clay) if any would you recommend? They would be larger pieces much like these pictured here. Thanks for exploring and sharing your ideas.
July 20th, 2014 at 9:29 am
Jenny, I would recommend Friendly Copper, Friendly Bronze, Dark Champagne Bronze, Friendly Brilliant Bronze, White Satin and Low shrinkage Steel XT.
July 20th, 2014 at 2:37 pm
I have been wanting to make larger sculptures with your clay. Did you have to do many repairs? The largest piece I’ve done so far is about 3″ x 1 1/2″. I’d like to go bigger, as my kiln will accommodate it.
July 20th, 2014 at 5:57 pm
Thanks again for your help.
July 20th, 2014 at 7:18 pm
Linda, There was less repair than I expected. Just a few surface cracks. Two of the pieces did not require repair at all.
July 21st, 2014 at 11:02 am
Fascinating as always, Hadar I, too, love the cut in stairs.
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:59 am
Wow, can’t wait to see the 600 grams piece! I had no idea you could work this big with the clay. Though it wouldn’t fit in my kiln I’m afraid….
October 11th, 2014 at 2:40 pm
Wow!
What tools did you use to carve it?
Pete
October 13th, 2014 at 3:27 pm
Peter, Just diamond burrs and files.