Pottery, Clay & Leaves: Make a Beautiful Unique Leaf Platter

In this lecture I take you through the different states or forms of clay, from raw soft clay to fired ceramic. This will enable you to appreciate the potential pitfalls (problems) and positives while working with clay in these different states, so allowing you to work most effectively and successfully while producing your leaf platter or plate. I will take you through the stages of raw clay, leather hard clay (ideal for forming shapes and neatening), dry clay (and how to reclaim it), bisque ware ceramics and finally stoneware ceramics.

In this lecture I explain the importance of deciding what use your piece of pottery will have so you can choose the right clay. Different clays fire to different temperatures which means they then have different qualities when turned into pottery. I explain the differences between 'Earthenware' clays and 'Stoneware' clays in terms of their robust nature or strength for different uses and also the colours you can obtain with these different clays and firing temperatures. I also explain the common mistake of putting the wrong firing glaze onto of a different firing clay body!

In this lecture I share a number of simple decoration techniques that you can consider when you start making pottery for yourself. The subject is huge, so I give a brief summary or 'taster' of some of the more common techniques you can apply both in the making process and the surface decoration process. I demonstrate these by using examples of my own work and talking about how they can be carried out. This lecture will hopefully give you 'food for thought' and motivated you to explore further information that is readily available on the internet and in books.

In this lecture I walk about a portion of my own garden showing you the pros and cons of using certain types of leaves with clay. This will help you to forage and choose the best leaves giving you the best leaf impression results.

In this lecture I talk about how nature and clay can be tools for grounding your personal energy, so providing increased wellness and health. I talk about focus and how the practise of creating with clay (or any art form) can become a meditative process and benefit - an enabler for quietening the mind and bringing about internal serenity. Finally, I talk about intention setting and how I infuse my pottery with loving kindness. Everyone can do this to benefit whoever uses the pottery you are making...

In this lecture I give an overview of the main types of colourants you can use to decorate and glaze pottery. I explain the differences in application, the firing ranges and how oxides, underglazes, pigments, lustres and glazes are best used.

In this lecture I start you off on the making process! First you need to remove air bubbles from your clay. I demonstrate two methods you can use - throwing the clay slabs and kneading the clay. This is important so that you reduce the risk of cracking in the making process and that you also start to connect with your clay material.

In this lecture I demonstrate and teach you how to roll out clay evenly using a rolling pin, wooden slats and how to manipulate the clay so it's 'memory' doesn't encourage warpage later on.

In this lecture I show you how to roll out your piece of clay into a size that is suitable for your large leaf shape. I offer some tips on how to reduce the risk of cracking and warpage further and then go on to press the leaf into the clay. I demonstrate how to use pressure and folding to get the very best results with your leaf impression and vein structure and then how to peel off the leaf in one piece.

I also show you how to cut around the leaf leaving a border or margin. My leaf ended up being too big for my kiln, so I demonstrate how to adjust the shape and size of your leaf using a little artistic licence! I also add some small pieces of clay to reinforce potential weak areas (the central vein crevice).

This is the fun bit! In this lecture I demonstrate step by step how to make the leaf impression in clay and cut around a border to give a professional finish. I show you how to get the best result with your leaf, how to fold or 'pleat' the leaf if it is not naturally flat and how to fill in crevices which may create weaknesses in the platter. This video is the main making video.

In this lecture I show you how to 'pull' handles - this is a term used in pottery and a technique using your hands and wet clay to pull the shape of your desired handle. I demonstrate making 4 different handles of different widths, some with a textured groove, some plain and some twisted.

This is a time-lapse video with my voice-over describing the process of attaching your handles to your leaf platter. I take you through the stages of selecting the most suitable handle to compliment your platter; scouring and slipping the ends of the handles and applying them to the platter topside and adding a branding logo to the base.

In this lecture you see me loading my kiln with the three leaf platters I have created during this course (including the bonus lectures showing the Fatsia and Pond Lily Leaf Platters). This Bisque firing fires to 1050 degrees centigrade overnight and then I unveil the bisque ware pieces ready for decoration the next day (keeping my fingers and toes crossed!).

In this short video including some time-lapse footage I show you how you can tidy up your bisque ware using metal files. I explain the importance of wearing a mask and also washing down your filed bisque afterwards so to avoid any glaze resistance later on.

In this lecture I demonstrate how to apply copper oxide to the Burdock Leaf Platter made earlier in the course. I explain how to blend the watered down oxide into the leaf veins to enhance the delicate pattern and also how to consider the appropriate colouring of the border. I also include health and safety information and other useful tips.

In this lecture I show you how to apply the final coat of glaze over your leaf platter which has been enhanced with copper oxide. I take you step by step through this process so you can learn the intricacies of pouring glaze and neatening the edges, evening out any thick areas of glaze and getting rid of blobs! Not forgetting the essential part - cleaning the base of your platter so it doesn't stick to the kiln shelf!

This is the second and final stoneware glaze firing. I explain how to stack the kiln shelves using kiln props and pillars to avoid warpage. I also explain briefly about cones and how they can be used to check how accurately your kiln is firing. Lastly (and after 24hrs) I open the kiln to reveal the finished leaf platters in all their glory!

In this final lecture I present the final leaf platters with artisan breads and cheeses to show how functional and beautiful they are on a dinner table.

I also explain how you can gain a personalised 'Ceramics Inspired By Nature' certificate showing the CPD hours you have spent watching the course and my email address so you can send me images of your final piece.

Thank you for being with me for the duration of this course. I do so hope you have enjoyed it. Please do leave me a review as this SO helps others to find this course and benefit from it.

Also, let me know if there is another pottery topic you would like me to cover in a future course - I am open to all your suggestions!

Many Thanks,
Sonya :-)