What is the difference between kneading clay and wedging clay both serve what purpose?
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What is the difference between kneading clay and wedging clay both serve what purpose?
Wedging is to get rid of air bubbles and kneading is to make clay more durable.
What is kneading in clay?
In ceramics, an essential step for the preparation of clay before working or firing. In kneading, the clay is cut, folded, squeezed, and worked until it is warm, soft, and easy to mould. The process also removes any air bubbles trapped in the clay, as these can cause the clay form to crack during firing.
What is a wedge in clay?
Wedging clay definition: the process of kneading the clay with the hands to remove air bubbles and ensure a homogenous mass. Wedge the two chunks together and when the clay is no longer marbleized, the clay is sufficiently wedged!
Do you need to wedge clay before slab rolling?
If the clay that you’re using is newly purchased, and moist, then wedging clay when you are hand building is not essential. However, if the clay has an inconsistent texture or moisture level or contains air pockets, it’s best to wedge it. If the clay isn’t wedged it can be hard to handbuild even smooth forms.
Is wedging clay necessary?
Wedging is an essential part of making with clay, it is a process which prepares your clay so that you can successfully make with it. It is the process of removing any air from within the clay. It will literally cause your clay pieces to explode during firing!
How many times do you need to wedge your clay before checking for air bubbles?
You should wedge at least 20 times when it’s fresh out of the bag. If it’s been recycled, you will need to wedge 100 times if not more depending on the condition of your clay.
What happens if you don’t wedge clay?
There are usually no air bubbles in it! In fact, improper wedging will more often add bubbles and you’ll just dry out your clay in the process. Simply make sure the pieces get enough drying time and have no plaster mixed in with the clay- that IS a sure recipe for explosions.
What is burnished pottery?
Burnishing is a form of pottery treatment in which the surface of the pot is polished, using a hard smooth surface such as a wooden or bone spatula, smooth stones, plastic, or even glass bulbs, while it still is in a leathery ‘green’ state, i.e., before firing. After firing, the surface is extremely shiny.