Common Sculpting TermsUpdated a day ago
- Air-Dry Clay (ADC) – A type of clay that hardens as it dries in the air, without the need for firing in a kiln.
- Ceramic Clay – Traditional clay that requires firing in a kiln to harden. Unlike ADC, it can be rehydrated before firing.
- Slip – A mixture of clay and water used in traditional ceramics to join pieces together. (Not applicable to Sculpd ADC since it cannot be rehydrated.)
- Wedging – The process of kneading clay to remove air bubbles. Not needed for ADC but important for ceramic clay.
- Scoring – The process of scratching the surface of the clay before attaching two pieces together to create a stronger bond.
- Burnishing – Smoothing the surface of the clay using a tool or a damp sponge to refine texture.
- Leather-Hard – A stage in drying where the clay is firm but still slightly flexible—ideal for carving details.
- Bone-Dry – The final stage before fully drying; the clay is completely dry and fragile before sealing or painting.
- Shrinkage – The slight reduction in size as the clay dries due to water evaporation.
- Warping – When clay bends or deforms while drying, usually due to uneven thickness or exposure to heat/sunlight.
- Clay Memory – A term referring to clay’s tendency to retain the shape it was previously in, sometimes causing cracks or warping if reworked too much.
- Undercutting – Carving out sections of clay to create depth and dimension.
- Coiling – A hand-building technique using rolled-out clay "ropes" stacked and smoothed together to create forms.
- Pinching – A technique where the clay is shaped by pinching it between fingers to form bowls or small shapes.
- Slabbing – Rolling out flat sheets of clay to cut and assemble into forms.
- Hollowing – Removing excess clay from thick sculptures to prevent cracking during drying.
- Joining – Attaching separate pieces of clay using scoring and pressure.
- Bisque – A fired piece of ceramic clay before glazing (not applicable to ADC, which doesn’t require firing).
- Glazing – A glass-like coating applied to ceramic clay after firing to make it waterproof. (Not used for ADC, but varnish can provide a similar finish.)
- Sealing/Varnishing – Applying a protective layer to ADC after drying to strengthen and protect it from moisture.