Textures in Ceramics I

Look, I’m an adult living in the USA. I have a liability page! (Stay safe, please)

This video introduces the course and the philosophy behind it. The video also covers who would benefit from taking the course.

This video describes the course structure and its contents.

The video covers all the plans that are available for the course.

This is the first homework that will help you to prepare for the course. Feel free to leave your answers in the comment section.

In this video, I describe the steps to access the course, leave comments, as well as cover other important details.

This is a quick comment section - let’s leave a comment where you are from, what you’d like to get out of the course and what your current struggles are.

This lesson covers important liability questions as well as ideas on how to be a god student.

In this lesson, I emphasize the importance of testing in ceramics as a way to achieve predictability, foster experimentation, and ensure safety. Together, we’ll explore how testing helps us refine our artistic vision while supporting sustainability by reducing waste. Through creating our own test tiles, we’ll apply these principles in practice.

In this lesson, I introduce various types of test tiles, including flat, self-supporting, and carved tiles, and explain their uses in ceramics. We also cover how to safely test materials like rocks using closed test tiles and the benefits of experimenting on small objects. The goal is to help you refine your ceramic work by understanding how different tiles and materials behave.

In this lesson I demonstrate how I make test tiles.

In this lesson, I emphasize the importance of a systematic approach to ceramics. We’ll explore how keeping detailed records of your tests helps refine results, repeat successful experiments, and balance control with creative flow. Proper documentation, whether physical or digital, ensures consistent outcomes and builds a valuable knowledge base for future work.

In this lesson I discuss the limitations and benefits of various stages of clay and invite you to step beyond the standard terminology.

In this homework we are trying to come up with as many rules as we can so we can break them later.

This lesson is dedicated to slips. It covers the basics of slips, wild slips and various applications of slips.

In this lesson I demonstrate the easiest way to make slip.

In this demo I show how various materials can be used to apply slip to the surface of the object.

In this homework we are working with applying slips to different surfaces, layering slips, and using various methods of application to achieve interesting results.

In this lesson, I introduce the concept of using aggregates and additives in ceramics to create unique textures.

In this lesson, we cover essential health and safety precautions when working with hazardous materials in ceramics, such as dry particles and aggregates. The importance of proper ventilation, labeling, protective gear, and careful testing of materials is emphasized to ensure a safe and productive working environment.

In this lesson, I explain various techniques for attaching aggregates to ceramic surfaces, focusing on methods like using slip, wedging aggregates into the clay body, and applying glaze to hold the materials.

This demonstration explains several methods for attaching aggregates to clay. Techniques include applying aggregates on top of slip, using a rolling pin to press them into the surface, and wedging them directly into the clay body using regular wedging of your choice (spiral or bull) or sandwich wedging.

This lecture covers the use of grog and sand as aggregates in clay bodies and clay surface. Grog, made from crushed ceramics, helps reduce shrinkage and aids in even drying, making it ideal for large sculptures. Sand, though similar, consists primarily of silica and may behave differently in firing.

This lecture describes wild clay and provides tips for identifying wild clay and incorporating it into surface treatments.

This lecture talks about different types of rocks, their behavior during firing, and how to incorporate them into your work. I share my experience and tips for testing and identifying rocks, as well as techniques for crushing and applying them.

This week, choose two or three types of aggregates that resonate with you and experiment by layering them to create different textures. Consider how these materials connect to your practice, whether through sustainability or personal significance, and explore how much aggregate can be added while maintaining the integrity of the ceramic form.

This lesson focuses on combustible materials such as coffee beans, grains, and paper. Though not for everyone, using combustibles can result in one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces with delicate textures and unexpected outcomes.

This lecture explores additional aggregates like glaze-based additives, glass, and metal wire, which can create unique textures in ceramics. It also covers oxides and stains as colorants.

This lecture showcases several artists and their unique approaches to ceramics, offering examples of how to incorporate slips, oxides, aggregates, and even unconventional materials to create textures, cracks, and amazing effects.

In this video, Maria Loram demonstrates how to add texture to a moon jar using layers of slip and sand. She begins by applying black and white slip in randomized patterns, using her hands and plastic wrap for different effects. The video highlights her process of creating depth and texture through multiple layers of slip and sand, including techniques to create cracks for added visual interest.

In this video, Maria Loram demonstrates how to use aggregates such as grog, rocks, and bisque chunks to add texture to a moon jar. She carefully prepares and crushes the materials before layering them onto the surface of the jar, experimenting with different particle sizes. This process creates unique textures and finishes, with the potential for glossy or rough effects depending on the material and slip interaction.

In this video, Maria Loram demonstrates various hand-building techniques, focusing on the impact of adding aggregates like grog and rocks to clay. She explores how drier, less plastic clay combined with aggregates creates unique textures and cracks, enhancing the surface of hand-built forms. The video showcases the process of stretching and shaping clay with aggregates, revealing the endless possibilities for creative textures and surfaces.

In this slow-paced, silent video, I handbuild a bowl step by step.

In this video, Maria Loram demonstrates various hand-building techniques, focusing on the impact of adding aggregates like grog and rocks to clay. She explores how drier, less plastic clay combined with aggregates creates unique textures and cracks, enhancing the surface of hand-built forms. The video showcases the process of stretching and shaping clay with aggregates, revealing the endless possibilities for creative textures and surfaces.

Whether you've completed test tiles or already started creating your first pieces using the techniques from the course, I'd love to see what you've done! Sharing your work will be fun for all of us, and feel free to leave a comment under other people's pieces too—let's inspire each other!

Congratulations on completing Part I of the course!