How To Do Ceramics For Beginners

Posted on March 4, 2013 by terry Leave a comment

Learning how to do ceramics is an easy and enjoyable 1activity that can become a truly creative pastime. All that is required is a little patience and a few simple tips to begin creating your own home furnishings and gifts. A quick guide to the art of ceramics can be the best preparation, and the end result can be a unique and personal keepsake.

The Clay
The clay that is used in ceramics is actually a liquid, rather than the thick clay used for sculpting. Liquid clay hardens when it is exposed to air, which means it is important to keep the clay covered in between uses. The good news is the hardened clay can be liquefied with the simple addition of water. Ceramic clay can be purchased at most craft stores.

The Molds
Ceramic molds are typically made of plaster, and they consist of two pieces. Plaster is unique in that it will hold the clay to create the shape of ceramic piece, yet will release the molded piece once the clay has hardened enough to be handled. The key to getting a good piece from a ceramic mold is to clean it before use, as dirt, dust, or even pieces of old clay left on the surface can distort the shape of the piece. Water is sufficient for cleaning.

Creating The Molded Piece
Creating a ceramic piece from a mold is simple process which includes the following steps:
1. Clean the inside surface of the mold to remove dirt and any remaining clay
2. Assemble the mold, and secure it with a band or belt. Securing the mold is an important step to prevent leaks
3. Pour the liquid clay into the mold. Be sure to fill it to the rim
4. Allow the mold to set until a rim forms around the opening of the mold. A rim of approximately 1/4 inch is sufficient for small molds, although larger ones should be allowed to thicken a little more. This can take between 30 – 60 minutes, for small molds, and may take several hours for particularly large one
5. Once the rim is formed, empty the remaining liquid from the mold. The clay that remains on the inside surface of the mold will become the ceramic piece
6. After the mold is emptied, let it set overnight to allow the clay to dry enough to hold the shape
7. When ready to remove the piece, carefully place the mold on its side and loosen the band used to secure it. Remove the top half of the mold, and then gently pull the piece out. Although the clay is firm, it is still very brittle, so use extreme care when removing the piece
8. Once the piece is out of the mold, set it aside to allow it to thoroughly dry. This can take from one day to several days, depending on the size of the piece, and the piece will appear dull when it is dried completely through

Cleaning
Once the piece is dry, it will need to be cleaned before it is fired. Cleaning simply means smoothing the seams and any rough edges that appear on the piece. This can be done by stroking the seams and rough patches with a sharp scalpel or scrub pad. A damp sponge may also be used, although too much water can dissolve the molded piece. Extreme care is necessary for cleaning, however, as the piece is still brittle. Once the piece is cleaned, it is ready to be fired.

Firing The Ceramics
This is done in a kiln, which can reach temperatures of up to 2500 degrees F. Kilns are often programmed to fire ceramics overnight, and most have automatic shut-offs to stop the firing once the process is complete. The key things to remember when using a kiln are:
1. Arrange pieces so that they are not touching each other, as those that touch will be fused together during the firing process
2. When opening the kiln, use gloves, as the inside is still extremely hot. Open it only a few inches at first to allow the inside to cool slowly. Cooling the pieces too fast can result in cracks, and it may cause pieces to shatter
Once the pieces are removed from the kiln, they are white bisque, and they are ready to paint.

Paints, Stains, And Glazes
The two decorating techniques for ceramics are paints and stains. Paints are solid colors that are painted over the ceramics, and is often used for pieces such as dishes and other household items. Pieces are required to be fired again to develop the colors, and the result is a finished, shiny piece. Textured paints are also available to create the look of stone or marble.

Stains, on the other hand, can be used to create artistic images such as monograms or designs on the piece, with a clear glaze applied after to give it a shiny finish. Stains work like traditional paint in creating detailed designs, although they will require two additional firings: the first after the design has been created to seal the stain to the bisque, and a second to fire the glaze over the piece. This may take more time, but the result is a truly personalized piece.

Non-fired paints may also be used, with spray sealants and glazes applied once the paint is dry.

Learning how to do ceramics is a perfect way to create personalized pieces for your home or for gifts, and each piece is a truly one-of-a-kind creation with your own personal touch. The process may take time from beginning to end, but even those just beginning in ceramics can create beautiful pieces right from the start. The best part is that learning to do ceramics is suitable for all ages, and it is a hobby that can last a lifetime.

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Staying Fit As An Art Model Has Never Been Easier

Posted on February 25, 2013 by terry Leave a comment

Staying fit as an art model is not very different from staying fit as an individual. In order to maintain the aesthetics necessary in the world of art modelling, it is important to employ the basic tenets of health. For starters, including fresh fruits, vegetables, lots of water (at least 8 glasses per day) and exercise in your daily regime is a good place to start.  You can also look at adding a supplement from Creative Bioscience. Exercise will help shape and tone the body – maintaining muscle definition and an ideal weight, while increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables and water will help the body not only shed unwanted fat, but help benefit the skin.

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In addition to incorporating the elements mentioned above in your lifestyle, what you exclude is just as important. Getting and staying fit and healthy for art modelling may just be as simple as choosing lean cuts of meat and opting for grilled, boiled or baked instead of fried options for example. Such a simple choice can significantly cut unnecessary fats from the diet, and help the above choices to be more effective in both the long and the short run. Watching one’s sodium intake is also important, as too much sodium can lead to water retention and bloating in the body. And let’s face it, no art model wants to look or feel bloated on or off the job.

Incorporating exercise into the daily routine a few times a week for many seem an impossible feat, with many persons citing not having enough time as the main culprit. However, getting daily exercise does not necessarily have to include long sessions at the gym. Simple decisions such as coming off the train, bus or taxi a couple stops early and briskly walking a few blocks home will go a long way. If you drive your own car, parking a few blocks away from shopping malls or simply opting to not drive (depending on proximity of course) is also useful. Studies indicate that can take place in smaller segments and be just as effective in keeping one fit for the job. As such, 3 ten minute sessions are just as effective as 1 thirty minute session.

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Being A Model For Art

Posted on February 19, 2013 by terry Leave a comment

Models for art pose for students so that they can learn to draw the human body. If you are interested in being a model for art, there are a few things to consider. Of course, being comfortable with your body is one of the most important aspects, as well as having a relaxed attitude about taking your clothes off in front of strangers and not being embarrassed to hold certain poses, sometimes for a few hours.

Pay rates for a model depends various things such as location, the art medium and what is required. Ranging from $15 3per hour for art classes to $75 per hour for photography models, rates are based on what the project is and what is expected of the model.
One of the things to consider as a model is what you are comfortable doing. Are you willing to pose with another model? Being reliable is something that artists look for in a model. Make sure you arrive on time. Generally, most teachers and students will not suggest poses for you to do, so it is a good idea to start practising poses at home and perhaps try to come up with something unique that can be beneficial for students learning about the human form.

The first thing you should do to get started as a model is get your name out there by contacting schools, colleges, art programs in your neighbourhood, or even contacting an artist directly. Some places accepts online applications while others take phone calls or visits. For a first time model, it is probably easier to get work in smaller programs.

The great thing about being an art model is that you don’t have to be beautiful in the conventional sense. The human form comes in all shapes, sizes and physical attributes and artists are looking to practice drawing the human body in all its different aspects.

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Planning To Make Your Own Jewelry? Here’s A Few Pointers To Know About It

Posted on February 18, 2013 by terry Leave a comment

2You can find literally anything in the internet and even tutorials on how to make jewery, the internet has it all. When something involves jewelry, that one thing will pop up in your head would most likely be a jewelry store or high end luxurious brands. However, you do not have to pay much if you want to have fabulous jewelry pieces because you can make your own with the right instructional manual, the right materials and some creativity.

There are many reasons why one would chose to make their own jewelries. For one, you can sell them. You can give them to friend and families too with a touch of personality for sure and lastly you can wear them yourselves, perfect if you are looking for something unique in terms of style, design and perspective.  If you don’t feel confident in yourself to start wearing the home made jewelry you cna look at trying to lose some weight with products from weightlosspunch.com.  You can basically make your own type of jewelry be it rings, beaded bracelets , metal rings, knots, among others with ease as long as you have access to the right tools and the right materials. These materials are mostly available too in your local fabric shop or even at your local bookstore. It is all about creativity when it comes to making your jewelry attractive and unique.

There are many online manuals, instructional guides and books that cover the basics on how to make your own pieces. If the basics are covered then it is most likely that there are books covering more advanced designs, styles and techniques. However if you want to learn with more of a hand’s on approach there are art schools and supplies stores that offer tutorials for a price as well. In art shops, you can share ideas with other individuals that can all be productive. You can give advice and take some as well which can at all contribute to how your jewelry would end up. Do remember though that it is all about creativity when making your own jewelry. Let your mind go wild a bit for new designs and styles. Surely if you are planning to sell them or give them to friends and families, they will be delighted!

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