In our class on clay the first thing we did was explore: we touched the clay and played with it. We were then asked to make 5 different shapes. Then we each made something out of it, using the clay, tools and slip. Slip, or liquid clay, is clay mixed with water and can be used to help attach pieces of clay to each other. This is done by cross hatching on both the pieces you would like to attach, putting slip on both pieces (you can use a brush) and putting together. Then you can smooth out some of the clay to make it stay together.
I made a lion. It is sitting on a piece of clay that I rolled out flat. Then I formed the legs on at a time and attached them to the base, using the technique described above. Next I created the body of the lion and attached it to the legs. Finally I made head and the tail. The mane and the tail were made with a press, then pressed on with some slip.
The lion was then allowed to air dry and finally put in the kiln. A kiln is a big oven. There are different kinds of kilns for different purposes, they are also used to dry a variety of items such as tobacco. After firing it is in the bisque stage and could be glazed and fired again. If firing the piece again is not desired, it can be painted.
Opus has an excellent page called the basics of clay:
http://www.opusframing.com/sites/default/files/how_to/basics_of_clay.pdf
A great video online and a fantastic resource website:
http://cybermuse.gallery.ca/cybermuse/teachers/demo/videos_e.jsp#video3
Student info page on Clay Art:
http://www.clayart.ca/00203My%20Student%20Information/00300Student%20Information%20and%20Images/00300Student_Genera_Clay_Knowledge.htm
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