Ceramic Sculpture Discussion & Chat - How can I add strength?

by Willie English
(Sutton Coldfield)

Ceramic Sculpture Discussion & Chat - How can I add strength?:- I think your website is great, and very informative. I am a complete novice only having done 2 pieces (Rose flower & a Vintage car) some years ago. I have now decided to have another go and so I am going to have a go at another vintage car (Alfa Romeo P3).

My first car broke its wheels off during firing. I had to glue them back on after. (Picture attached)

Question - What can I use to add strength to the axle area where the wheels join? Could I use a steel rod, wood rod before or through firing???

Any help would be greatly received.

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Reply by Peter (admin)

to 'Ceramic Sculpture Discussion & Chat - How can I add strength?'

Hi Willie

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to contact the site and send in your submission. Nice car! You have natural skills. Tip: think like an engineer rather than an artist. That is what I do to produce my results. However, I reckon you already think this way, just just do more of it.

Sorry for the slight delay in answering, but I have been putting together a new section of the site - which may well be of interest to yourself and other sculpting scholars because it goes into some depth about the process of making bone china figurines for commercial production. It also profiles some of the key Staffordshire potters who help us make our wares.

For a link please go here:

www.figurinecollect.com

Now, with regard to your query, here is how I would tackle the weakness problem you identify:-

NO STEEL RODS OR WOODEN SUPPORTS OF ANY KIND PLEASE!

There are many places on my sculpts where I have the same type of issue. For example, a thin shawl, or a delicate parasol. The secret is to work out the angle of view, so that from the viewing angle, the subject looks thin, but from a angle that can't be seen, there is lots of EXTRA CLAY to support the piece.

If you look at the parasol on this collectible figurine of mine it looks for all intents and purposes to be a thin fabric parasol material. Whichever direction you look it appears to be thin fabric. However, it is actually quite substantial and thick and joins the shawl at the back with a really strong thick clay fitting.

So it is very possible to mix the aesthetic with the practical if you plan your sculpt in the right way.

With a car like yours I would be looking to make very strong joins on the base of the car to the wheel where the eye cannot see.

Don't forget you are making a clay sculpture, not a car. However, the eye sees not what's there, but what it wants to see.

In other words, if your modeling is detailed and good enough, viewers will see a car, not a clay sculpture, and have no perception at all of the strengthening points you have strategically placed.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,

Peter (admin)

These pages show our new English made bone china figurine collection

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