Creative Ceramic Slab Building

Slab building with clay can be a very flexible and creative handbuilding process. I really enjoy this part of making my ceramics where I cut and reassemble the pots when they are leatherhard. The outcome of doing this results in shapes, torn edges and steps that become part of the structure of a piece and can be enhanced further when I add colour, texture and additional marks.
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[@lydiabaca]

Again you’ve deconstructed a piece beautifully. I would love more basic handbuilding videos, and introduction to englobes, mark making, and use of slips. You’re generous sharing of your process is exceptionally kind. We’re out here growing. Thank you.

[@nicolamenagemindsetcoach]

Another inspirational video. Yes please to explaining more about engines. Thank you.

[@urbanclay6848]

Amazing videos thank you for sharing! I would love to see how you make your slips & engobes & crayons

[@cherylfirth7066]

These are so wonderful. I love the way you think outside the box. I would have never cut that into. But now I want to try it. You are very inspiring.

[@patjuett9449]

I am so mesmerized watching you work. It is quite evident that you find clay so creatively enjoyable, as I do. I love the look of that "toothy" clay. At present I am working with a white midrange B Clay , which might not be able to work so much but I will play.. I want to creatively enjoy working with layers of color and texture. I would love to see more videos of the engobe/slip making process. Cheers to you and thank you.

[@CraigUnderhill7]

Thanks for watching, it’s good to know that these videos I am making are having a positive influence on other makers.

[@nancyseavitt1587]

I love the way you do your work. It’s meditative to me. And the results reflect that ❤

[@magmag6739]

Love your work, thank you for sharing and inspiring ❤

[@catherinea8311]

Loved your video and idea of reconstruction. Appreciate you making the video and want to want to see more ideas and final pieces!!!

[@jwb33706]

The pots are fabulous but the addition of the painterly aspect of your surface decoration sends them over the top! Would like to see more videos on your surface decoration techniques. Really enjoying the series - thank you.

[@FotiniKyriakou]

Hello Craig! Thank you fir your wonderful ideas! I would like ti ask if once you have created a piece and put it in the kiln, combined it with a piece of metal or wood… I would really like to see someting like that…

[@TheMarnaiz]

I absolutely love your work, Craig and I'm very much inspired to have a go myself. Thank you for the demos. Much appreciated.

[@mariachristinaborges-lutz7157]

I really like the way you build your pieces and one request I would have (if possible) is to learn how you do those extra slabs with structure (grog?)…..

[@nadianiggli6500]

Absolutely beautiful work. You asked what we might want to see or hear more about, and I’d love to find out how you approach the composition and scale of your graphic elements and how you feel out the proportions of the cut and replaced sections. Thank you for sharing your process so thoughtfully. It’s a pleasure to watch you work and hear what you’re thinking about.

[@daniellaamit6912]

I love the honesty of your work. It is beyond 'decorating' and that is why is it moving.

[@CraigUnderhill7]

You’re right. I always try to avoid using the word “decorating” it’s all about surface and form working together. Thanks for watching, and appreciating.

[@daniellaamit6912]

I strive for Beautiful, not 'Pretty'. I live in BC Canada and people sometimes use the word 'Cute'...I designated it 'an offensive word'... It's my pleasure to watch your creativity and enthusiasm.

[@janiegulick5674]

I absolutely love how you approach building your pots. They are beautiful, so complex yet simple all at the same time. It’s extraordinary how the surrounding landscape is such a strong influence. I would very much enjoy some basic techniques demonstrated. Also the start to finish videos are great. Thank you for sharing

[@lorrinederichelieu9848]

Love watching you make beautiful shapes. From South Africa

[@CraigUnderhill7]

Hello to you in South Africa. Thanks for watching

[@Creatureofclay]

Very cool ideas, thanks for sharing

[@birgittaravenshorst8456]

Lovely too se how you work. I would love to se more of youre surface decorating.

[@julieenden5637]

Thank you for your generous sharing. Very inspirational and I spent today thinning down my slips as I have been using them too thick. If you could share how you make engobes and slips I’d be most grateful.

[@beatricetreadwell5785]

Wonderful video: very clear and so joyfully creative! I hope we get to see the finished pots with their glazes! 😃👍❤️

[@smitavinchurkar7623]

This is amazing. I want to try it

[@mikenightmare]

Great videos. Would love to see how you make your underglaze pencils and more on texture and mark making

[@freddiemoretti8456]

Thanks for sharing!
Cheers...Freddie

[@marshalltaylor9224]

hi Craig
love watching your videos. id love to see how you make a large bottomed vase going into a funnel. would you use a template?

[@CraigUnderhill7]

I don’t use templates for any of my work but I do plan by making sketches and drawing out shapes on a clay slab before I cut it.

[@cristinanogueira5566]

Obrigada pela partilha

[@suzannegaff4932]

Are your pots watertight inside?

[@CraigUnderhill7]

They are not completely vitrified, so are not fully watertight. That doesn’t concern me too much because they are primarily ceramic paintings that are vessel forms.