Marc Sauvage's Working with Simple Molds

Simple Molds, taught by Marc Sauvage, runs over 10 weeks and is mainly aimed at Beginning to Intermediate clayworkers. As the name suggests, the course takes an uncomplicated approach to the making of molds using both found and sourced materials such as timber, foam, cardboard, plastic and plaster, and those completing the course will have completed a variety of drape, slump, hump, press and casting molds. A range of decorating techniques appropriate for the molds created are also explored, both by demo and participation, including textures (created and found), coloured slips and clays, paper transfer & stencils, as well as coloured glazes. The course finale is an introduction to slip-casting with participants completing a simple one-piece cup/tumbler/cylindrical form, then casting from the mold using slip made by themselves using their own dried clay body. 

A reasonable level of fitness is required to manage bags of clay and buckets of plaster. The ability to throw basic shapes on the wheel is an advantage, as simple thrown forms can be used to make molds, but it is not a requirement.

By the end of this course students should be able to:

•   Make a variety of molds suitable for the production of simple ceramic forms, both flatware and 3-dimensional.
• Investigate the use of a variety of materials, both found and sourced, such as timber, foam, plastic and plaster to produce simple molds such as drape, hump, press, and slip-cast (in this course, we will make a simple one-piece mold as an introduction to the process of slip-casting. The “All things Plaster” course will involve a more in depth learning about multi-piece slip-casting molds.)
• Make your own casting slip from a dry clay body.
• Mix casting plaster using the correct ratios and techniques for removal of bubbles and  effective pouring. Make different coloured slips using ceramic stains
•  Experiment with a range of decoration techniques and materials suitable for use in conjunction with the molds created, such as textures (texture rollers, stamps and found objects), coloured slips and clays, stencils and underglaze transfers.

•  A list of requirements will be sent out after completion of enrolment in the course. You will also be responsible for the firing of your own work either at home or by progressing it through the SCArt firing system.