Unit 1 - Part B
Reflection 1
So far so good, today we learned the pinch pot technique and as a group we practiced making a bird. This was harder than I first anticipated. It looks easy but it’s not. It’s quite fiddly work and takes a lot of focus and attention as it can collapse if not done correctly. I am looking forward to practicing this more. I enjoyed the texture of the clay and it was quite good to see how something can be built using this technique. Similar to architecture there are different ways to build, and I related this to the clay today. I enjoy coming to each workshop and watching Sue. She is very patient and I feel I am listening to instructions well.
Reflection 2
Today was quite challenging. We have began creating out art challenges and Sue helped us to use the Pinch Pot technique. Sue really helped me build my body of the horse using this technique and “paddling”. It was difficult as I had not yet made a pinch pot of that size and so making the two semi spheres and joining them together by chord of clay and wrapping it around was tricky. I had to smooth this out so that it wasn’t sticking out and bumpy. This took a lot of focus. If I pushed to hard, I could dent the body. It was good to begin my horse and learn these techniques. I felt even though I hadn’t done this before that I did quite well.
Reflection 3
I am very happy with how my skills are developing; however, it has been very challenging. Tonight, was the hardest day yet and I had to change my design. I felt under pressure as our pieces were due in. I perhaps spent too much time on the body of the horse and didn’t quite calculate my timings. It was a very hot day today and the clay really didn’t like the heat. My horse was beginning to collapse, (the body) and therefore moulding and fitting the other parts of the horse were not working and it was not standing.
With hours to go I started from scratch. This was tough and took me in total four hours to complete. It required a lot of patience and breathing as I was conscious of the time and wanting it right. Thankfully it was the best decision I made as when applying the head and legs it worked! I changed my horse design from standing to sitting as the weight of the body was too much for the legs so I then also had to look at how the legs sat with the horse as oppose to standing as they look different in different positions. I used the legs to also support the head which was another heavy piece.
Honestly, I feel so much achievement tonight, I felt every emotion possible and on reflection I needed to in my action plan include possible things that could have gone wrong so I then could have used my time better. I assumed nothing would go wrong when it did. I really loved building him tonight and he looks like Sleipnir. I am very happy.
Evaluation
I successfully managed to create an animal made out of clay, although I had to change the design. I had to change the design from a horse standing up to a horse sitting down because the weight of the horse was too heavy to be held up by the horses’ legs. The thing that went most well was definitely the head of the horse. I managed to capture the emotion and the attitude of the horse. I feel it represents a true norse Horse!
The body was definitely more challenging as it was hard to shape it to look like the natural shape of a horse’s body instead of it just being a circle. Using the pinch pot technique, it naturally creates a hollow oval shape so it’s difficult to then make it look realistic and to blend its shape. The weather didn’t help either as the clay became so dry so quickly that it was hard to manipulate to where you wanted it to go. I had to really remember Sues advice when working alone at home, that at times was tricky but I pushed through.
I have definitely learnt very helpful techniques when creating clay pieces made from clay, for example the pinch pot technique and joining two semi spheres together to create a body. I have also learned to communicate and speak up when I am finding it difficult. I have also learned to not give up even when you fail. Design and planning are also really important to achieve your art.
I would have been better with my use of time and perhaps included space for things going wrong. I also feel at times my communication with the team was lacking. Following covid and lockdown I at times would withdraw which wasn’t helpful when working with a team and my tutors. Building that confidence again took time. Therefore, being more consistent with my communication. When I did it, I was good at it, so in future I will try to do this more. I would love to work with Sue and the team again to learn more skills and perhaps the use of paint and how print can be effective in clay.
Feedback
“It was intricately painted especially the Norse symbol. It was well glazed and you have a good knowledge of horses and the way they are positioned whilst sitting. I like how it looks like its about to get up, its leaning on one side. You have a lot of patience to have to start the whole thing again and the face of the horse has a warrior look. Its very strong has character. Its powerful.” (Sue)
“Your horse is amazing, what an amazing first piece” (Chloe)
“It really does look like a horse and not just any old horse” (Auntie Vicky)
“The glaze has come out so well, so shiny. It has a lovely character about him.” (Mother)