Intro
Hand-building pottery is a fun and creative way to produce unique pieces of art, and slab pottery is a great technique for beginners to start with. Slab pottery involves rolling out clay into thin sheets, which can then be cut and shaped into various forms. With the right templates and a little practice, you can create beautiful and functional pieces of pottery. Here are 7 easy slab pottery templates for beginners:
Creating a slab pottery template is a great way to ensure that your pieces are symmetrical and evenly shaped. You can use a variety of materials to create your templates, such as cardboard, foam board, or even 3D print them. The key is to find a material that is sturdy enough to hold its shape, yet easy to cut and manipulate.
Benefits of Using Slab Pottery Templates
Using slab pottery templates can be beneficial for beginners in several ways:
- Ensures symmetry: Templates help ensure that your pieces are symmetrical, which can be tricky to achieve when hand-building pottery.
- Saves time: Templates save time and effort, as you don't have to spend hours trying to get your pieces perfectly symmetrical.
- Increases accuracy: Templates increase accuracy, as you can use them to cut out identical shapes and sizes.
- Improves consistency: Templates improve consistency, as you can use them to produce multiple pieces with the same shape and size.
1. Simple Bowl Template
A simple bowl template is a great starting point for beginners. You can use a circular shape to create a bowl, and then add a handle and foot ring to make it more functional.
2. Rectangular Planter Template
A rectangular planter template is perfect for creating planters and other decorative pieces. You can add a lip around the top to make it more decorative.
3. Vase Template
A vase template is a great way to create beautiful and elegant vases. You can add a foot ring and a lip around the top to make it more decorative.
4. Candle Holder Template
A candle holder template is perfect for creating unique and functional candle holders. You can add a lip around the top to make it more decorative.
5. Soap Dish Template
A soap dish template is a great way to create functional and decorative soap dishes. You can add a lip around the top to make it more decorative.
6. Jewelry Box Template
A jewelry box template is perfect for creating beautiful and functional jewelry boxes. You can add a lid and a lip around the top to make it more decorative.
7. Coaster Template
A coaster template is a great way to create functional and decorative coasters. You can add a lip around the top to make it more decorative.
How to Use Slab Pottery Templates
Using slab pottery templates is easy and straightforward. Here are the steps to follow:
- Step 1: Roll out your clay to the desired thickness.
- Step 2: Place your template on top of the clay and cut around it using a sharp tool or a craft knife.
- Step 3: Remove the template and refine the edges of your piece.
- Step 4: Add any additional details, such as handles or decorations.
- Step 5: Allow your piece to dry completely before firing it in a kiln.
Slab Pottery Templates Image Gallery
We hope this article has inspired you to try out slab pottery and experiment with different templates and designs. Remember to always follow proper safety precautions when working with clay and kilns, and happy potting!