3.1 Pottery greenware decorative techniques (Sgraffito, Engobe, Slip trailing)

• Pottery: clay items and the stages from greenware to fired ware
• Greenware: clay work that is shaped and decorated before firing
• Decorative techniques in pottery: sgraffito, engobe and slip trailing
• Indigenous pottery from Kenyan and African communities for mentorship
• The slab technique for making decorative and functional clay items
• Uniform thickness, dimensions and balance in slab work
• Drying clay under shade to the leather-hard stage
• Decorating leather-hard slab items with texture and pattern
• Firing decorated slab vases while observing safety
• Display, critique and appraisal of own and others pottery

• analyse decorative techniques in pottery
• model items using the slab technique
• decorate leather-hard slab clay items
• appreciate own and others decorated slab vases

“How does texture enhance the aesthetic appeal of a slab-built vase?”

“What are the trends in pottery decoration?”

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1. Pottery and greenware
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Introduce pottery and the greenware stage of clay.
2. Clay: types and preparation
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Describe the types of clay and the qualities of a good clay body.
3. Wedging and preparing clay
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Explain and carry out wedging to remove air and even the moisture.
4. The slab technique
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Roll and cut clay slabs for building a vase.
5. Uniform thickness, dimensions and balance
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Ensure even slabs and a balanced form for the vase.
6. Joining slabs
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Join slabs by scoring, applying slip and pressing.
7. Building a slab vase
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Build a tall slab vase from panels and a base.
8. Drying to leather hard
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Dry the greenware slowly to the leather-hard stage.
9. Three greenware decorative techniques
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Introduce sgraffito, engobe and slip trailing.
10. Sgraffito
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Decorate leather-hard clay by scratching through slip.
11. Designing a sgraffito pattern
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Plan and scratch a repeated sgraffito pattern.
12. Engobe: coloured slip
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Explain engobe and how it colours leather-hard clay.
13. Applying engobe
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Brush, pour or dip engobe onto leather-hard clay.
14. Slip trailing tools
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Use a slip trailer to draw controlled lines of slip.
15. Patterns made by slip trailing
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Draw lines, dots and scrolls with a slip trailer.
16. Combining the three techniques
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Use engobe, slip trailing and sgraffito on one vase.
17. Texture and aesthetic appeal
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Explain how texture improves a slab vase.
18. Pottery traditions for mentorship
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Study Kenyan and African pottery for inspiration.
19. Firing decorated greenware
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Fire decorated slab vases safely in a kiln.
20. Safety, hygiene and the environment
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Work safely and care for health and the environment.
21. Displaying and critiquing the pottery
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Exhibit the work and critique it fairly.
22. Appraising a decorated slab vase
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Judge own and others work by set criteria.