A Simple Clay Sculpting Project - Ceramic Balls

by Erica Ottaviano
(Victoria, Australia)

A Simple Clay Sculpting Project - Ceramic Balls:- Could you please tell me how to make a ball of clay with an opening at the top. I have seen them in shops and houses, but cannot get it to work when I have tried. I am trying to do a ball about 8 inches round, or more.

Many thanks

Erica
Ringwood
Victoria, Australia.

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Reply by Peter (admin)

to A Simple Clay Sculpting Project - Ceramic Balls

Dear Erica

Thanks for your interesting query about how to sculpt a ceramic ball.

This project is interesting because it utilizes ALL the skills you need for ANY type of sculpt using ceramic clay.

Here is how I would tackle the project:-

I would get hold of a ball the right size, make a simple 2 piece mould of it using casting plaster of paris.

Then I would press-mould clay into each half of the mould (or pour in slip if I wanted a thinner ball).

Depending on the size of the ball, you could either press in a layer of clay (up to a max of half an inch thick, or you could make it solid full of clay (and hollow later).

Then, press the two halves of the mould together ensuring the the two halves of clay are scored and whetted (some people make 'natches' in the plaster mould for ease of re-allignment).

Press hard and make the two halves of the mould re-connect properly.

After letting the clay firm up for a while (the plaster absorbs the moisture in the clay), remove the clay ball and allow to firm to a nice working consistency (firm enough to work without squishing - but not so hard as to dry out too much).

Touch up and finesse the exterior of the ball to the finish required.

Hollow if required (if you made a solid ball). Simply cut the ball in half, hollow out and rejoin). Max half and inch thick - as even as possible

Finish and touch up the the detail.

Slice to make whatever opening required on top.

Allow to dry out slowly (VERY slowly if using modeling clay with high ball clay content like potclays 1150 - to avoid warping and cracking).

Decorate and fire.

Hope this helps

Peter (admin)