Handbuilt Fossil

Instructions

Begin with 1.5lbs of low fire clay.
Separate a pound of clay and roll it out flat into an oblong slab.
Compress both sides of the slab with a plastic card.
Using the other half pound of clay, create some basic shapes: balls, ovals, coils, triangles.
Using a photo (or from your own imagination) lay out the basic shapes in the shape of a dinosaur bone fossil.
Mark where the shapes will be reattached with a toothpick and remove the shapes.
Cut the basic shapes in half and manipulate the clay to create a more bone-like shape. (Pinching, smoothing, etc)
Scratch the flat back of the bone and the area of the slab where it will be attached with a toothpick.
Compress the bone to the slab, giving it a wiggle to fully connect the pieces of clay.
Continue steps 8 and 9 until all bone shapes are attached to the slab.
With your carving tool, carve down an indent between the bones and the edge of the slab.
Add texture to the bones and surrounding slab with various texture tools.
Allow to fully dry.
Bisque fire to cone 04.
Remove any dust from properly fired bisque with a damp sponge.
Using a soft fan brush, apply three coats of EL110 to the bones and the inner carved away section of the slab surrounding the bones.
Allow glaze to dry between coats.
Using the script liner brush, apply three coats of EL204 to the outer uncarved area of the slab.
Allow glaze to dry between coats.
Using a damp sponge, wipe off the glaze from the bones. The red iron oxide in the glaze will stain the bones.
Allow to fully dry.
Stilt and fire to cone 06.

Supplies

Form

1.5lbs low fire clay

Colors

EL110 Mudslide
EL204 Glowing Embers

Decorating Accessories

RB144 Soft Fan brush
CB106 Script Liner brush

Miscellaneous Accessories

Sponge
Water
Rolling pin
Plastic card
Carving tools
Toothpick

Handbuilt Fossil

Instructions

Supplies

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