• Design
  The children began the task by examining a selection of weird and wonderful teapots in both photographic and 3D form. They then created four possible designs looking at functionality, aesthetics, possible placement of spout, handle and lid along with interest. Upon selecting their preferred design they coloured it to represent the end product.
  
  

• Construction
  Using stoneware clay, most children began their teapot from the ‘chicken and the egg’ theory so that they could create the hollow. We like to call the process this as it is what it resembles. The children create two equally sized pinch pots, fill one side with a piece of newspaper scrunched into a ball and then pop the lid on top, smoothing so that no joins can be seen. Thus, creating an egg! They then determined which way their egg needed to stand to begin the creation of their teapot. The spout proved to be the most challenging piece to add both in construction and possible placement. The children were aware that the tip needed to be above the water line or it wouldn’t flow correctly but sometimes it took many attempts to look aesthetically correct in its form. E.g. the paw of the cat or the arm of the snowman.

  Once all additional pieces were added they were left to dry for two weeks and then bisque fired to 1000 oC.

• Decoration
  The children used ‘Chromacryl’ paints to decorate their teapots. They painted a one colour base coat first to seal the clay and once dry added the additional colours. The technique of stippling was used to add tone to the final works and then a selection of students added extra features with collage materials.

  Naturally the teapots are not for functional use but for purely decorative, although the students still had to create their piece with functionality in mind.

Copyright 2008 Zart Art & Zart Education