Clay-time Playtime 2021 Part 5

 Clay-time Playtime 2021 Part 5

Now I have the Base and Outside Edge done I can move on to the Inside.

Adding Blue

 

As you probably realise by now I am trying to emulate an Ocean theme. Therefore I selected a Deep Blue to begin filling in between the Starfish Arms.

Blue Bottom

 

Once more into the deep dear friends once more. I finished the Bottom of the Dish and now had to decide what to do next.

Two Blue

 

I had to consider the amount of Deep Blue Varnish that I had left. I hit upon the idea of using a lighter Blue to give the effect of the Water being of different Depths.

It work great I was really pleased how it turned out although it was touch and go whether I had enough Varnish to finish it.

Splash of Orange

 

I did a spot of research on the Internet and never realised how many different types of Starfish there were. I had a whole variety of colours to choose from but in the end after sorting through the Varnish I decided to stick with the traditional Orange.

Star Base

 

As you can see in the above photograph the Starfish really stands out against the Two Blues. To enhance the illusion of Depth I added a little extra Yellow to the Rim.

With this added it almost gives it a Rock Pool look. The next step is to go over the whole Dish and give touch ups and where necessary scrape a little Varnish off where it had Splashed on the Shells.

Bathroom Tidy

The moment of truth. Here are my lotions nestled neatly inside my Dish. I did have to move them around several times to get the right order but it was well worth it.

N.B.

Since making the Tidy I have been given a whole load of new Face and Bath products which I cannot fit in. However it was nice while it lasted and I am sure I will soon be able to whittle the products down so they will fit once more.

Clay-time Playtime 2021 Part 4

 Clay-time Playtime 2021 Part 4

Now the pot is made the fun bit can start.

Varnish Outside

 

I wanted to colour the pot but as I was intending it for the Bathroom I didn’t think watercolours would be a good idea in all the steam. Then I hit upon the idea of using Nail Varnish.

I had lots of half used Varnish so I found a nice Sand Coloured Yellow and began to Varnish the Outside

Dish Base

 

The Outside Varnish needed to dry so I turned it upside down. In doing so I realised that I would need to Varnish the Base of the Dish as well.

Bottom Varnish

I wasn’t sure which Varnish to use as I need the Yellow for a Second Coat on the Outside Edge. I decided to use a Clear Varnish as a kind of Undercoat.

Purple Swirl

 

After sorting through the various Bottles of Varnish I selected a Purple Shade and carefully Varnished a Thick Purple Swirl on the Base.

I had to wait for this to dry before doing a Second Coat so I very carefully added another Coat of Yellow to the Outside Edge.

Pink Bands

 

I wanted to add more detail to the Swirl so I picked a Pinkie-Gold Varnish and began to apply. I wanted to start small then make Thicker Bands. Unfortunately this proved more difficult than I anticipated.

In the end I had to keep do some Bands then and more Purple to try and even out the lines. Sometimes I added too much so then I had to wait for it to dry and then add more Pink.

Gold Edge

To add a nice Edge I selected a Gold Varnish and Coloured in between the Swirls. It was hard work but I am very pleased with the result.

Clay-time Playtime 2021 Part 3

 Clay-time Playtime 2021 Part 3

I am continuing working with my Clay.

Rough Star

 

I have finally managed to get the Star Shape that I wanted. All I have to do now is Elongate it.

Too Long

 

Well that didn’t work out too well. Not only is it too Long but I am not happy with the Shape either.

Fold and Thicken

 

I Fold over the Ends and Roll them back into the main Body of the Star.

Star Inside

 

As you can see in the above photograph the Shape is very different. I accomplished this by placing the Star into the Dish then slowly began to Pinch the Clay from the sides making it both Longer, Thinner and Higher.

As I Pinched the Clay I also Curved the Arms into position and Pressed down the Clay as hard as I could into the Base. I was really beginning to struggle to get the Clay to stick because it was drying out quickly.

Forked Star

 

To Embellish the Starfish which is what of course it is supposed to be I again used the Fork.

Hole Star

After doing one Arm I continued on to the others. I then used a Knife to draw a line from the Tip of the Arms to the Centre. There we have it a Hole Starfish.

Clay-time Playtime 2021 Part 2

 Clay-time Playtime 2021 Part 2

I had my Dish. Now I want to add a Pattern

Clay-time add Pattern

 

My first attempt didn’t go well. My Brush decided that it was going to disintegrate as soon as I put it to the Clay. I tried both Sides of my Comb but that didn’t work either.

Fork Pattern

 

Eventually I had to resort to using a Fork to try and add a bit of Pattern on the Sides.

Clay-time Shells

 

The reason I wanted a kind of Wavy Pattern was because I had been given some Shells and I wanted to make it look like Sand.

Naturally the photograph showing the Shells in place didn’t come out. Let us just say that it was really hard work trying to push them in and getting them to hold. I think that with the Temperature being so hot in the Kitchen the Clay was drying too quickly.

Clay-time Triangle

 

With the Temperature in mind I had to work fast to do the next bit. I started by using what was left of the Clay and Beating it into a Triangle Shape.

Clay-time Shape

 

I used the End of the Roller to push the Bottom of the Triangle up towards the Middle.

Clay-time Squeeze

 

I had lots of photographs but thought it would take forever to read the blog so I have skipped sections. In the picture above I have Flattened and Elongated the Legs.

I then used the End of the Roller to Push in the Sides like I had at the Base.

Clay-time Spread

 

By continuously Rolling and Pushing I have Spread out the Clay into the above Shape whilst keeping the Height of the Clay even.

Clay-time Man

 

Finally I have managed to get to the stage where I have a little Man.