I have contacted a couple of people for advice about scaling up these pieces to a larger size.
I have emailed Mark Cumberlidge the technical director of Valentines Clays. He has been helpful in the past when I have had questions about clay choice. He has advised that I try to ensure slow and even drying. He has recommended Ashraf Hanna clay or GT Material as possible alternative clay bodies.
I also emailed Kate Malone, she kindly gave me some advice before, during lockdown. She encouraged me to keep trying until I got it right. Specifically she urged me to focus on balance, and suggested I try the following.
Reduce the firing temperature a little to 1270 or 1260
The Professional black vitrifies more quickly than the ES40, due to the manganese content.
T Material is strongest of all
Put weight where it is needed
She encouraged me to learn from mistakes, and keep going until I get it right. I will do testsuggestions until I manage to get a larger version of these pieces.
One other thing she said is that 'It’s got to be a balanced piece, wherever it ends up stability will affect its long life'.
This comment gave me a different perspective, on a couple of things. Firstly, during my MA I have not really thought too much about where the pieces will end up, as they will either become part of my body of work, or the MA Show. Very soon, I will be making with a view to selling my work, and only the final pieces made to professional standards, can be put up for sale. Secondly, I am using up materials and energy to make something that potentially could last for years. Whilst testing and learning are part of the process of developing new pieces, I need to be mindful of the resources I am consuming. Both of these insights are relevant to where I am going in the future, after my MA is complete. I have a little experience of taking part in a ceramic fair, thanks to Ceramic Wales, but it is a big step to where my tutors are; having my own stand, and trying to sell my work.
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