Fish Construction

1. Wrap a piece of copy paper around a soda can. Roll the can on the diagonal till the paper is used up, then secure with a small piece of tape.
2. With a rolling pin on canvas, roll out a piece of moist clay ¼" thick between wooden slats.
3. Cut a rectangle 9x5. With a pony roller, thin the clay at one of the short sides. Score the topside of the thinned edge.
4. To make the cylinder around the soda can: Lay the can on the clay at the thicker side. Roll the clay onto the can. Score the remaining side using slip (mix of clay you are using and water in a sour cream consistency) on the scored surface. Press the pieces together.
5. Take excess clay and roll out ¼” slab for the bottom of the piece. Score the clay on the bottom portion of your cylinder adding slip in preparation to be placed on the slab.  Place the cylinder shape with the can still inside on top of the slab.  Cut around the cylinder leaving about a 1/8 inch extra clay. Push up the extra clay on to the sides of the cylinder sealing the bottom layer to the sidewalls of your tube.
6. Roll out clay for the fish tail and let it sit till it firms up some.
7. Leave the coke can in the clay till the walls of your vessel are stiff enough to stand on their own.  If you put a little hole in the bottom it will release easier, as it can form a vacuum. When removing the can the paper should stay behind.  You can remove the paper at any time. Remember to fill in the little hole of this vessel if you wish it to hold liquids.
8. Use a spoon to press out the belly of the fish from the inside.
9. Thin clay for the fin, cut from pattern and attach to the back of fish.
10. Cut out the fish tail from the pattern. Score and fit the piece the two pieces together. Thin the end of the tail.  Fit the open end over the side of the cylinder.  Make sure to vent first.
11. Fill in the gaps with coils, cut clay where necessary to shape form.
12. Make two Lotus Blossoms from the CD-1218 Egyptian Sprig Mold for the side fins.  Score and slip attach to the side of the fish.
13. Roll a flat coil for the top edge and slip attach then blend into the side of the fish. This will create the mouth opening.
14. Pencil score the eye placement.  Thin clay and use a circle template to cut for iris of the eyes. Slip attach the Iris in place. Roll a small ball of clay for the pupil. Slip attach to the iris.
15. Outline the eye to emphasize with coils of clay.
16. Allow the piece to dry completely.
17. Bisque fire to shelf cone 04.

Painting Instructions

 

1. Begin with properly fired shelf cone 04 bisque.  Moisten a clean sponge and wipe bisque to remove any dust.
2. Punch out about 45 Lady Bugs.
3. Using a CB-604 #4 Soft Fan, apply 3 coats of SC-73 Candy Apple Red to the outside of the fish, except the eyes. Allow to dry.
4. Apply the cut out Lady Bugs by dipping in water the placing on the fish. Starting on the bottom center work up. Blot with a paper towel to absorb any excess water.
5. Using a CB-604 #4 Soft Fan, apply 2 coats of SC-33 Fruit of the Vine to the fish body over the Lady Bugs. Allow to dry.
6. Using a CB-106 #6 Script Liner, apply 1 coat of SC-15 Tuxedo to all the dots of the Lady Bugs.
7. Remove all the paper Lady Bugs before the color dries to avoid chipping.
8. Using a CB-106 #6 Script Liner, apply 2 coats of SC-24 Dandelion to the lower section of the side fins and the back fin, then apply 1 coat of CG-753 Sassy Orange over the SC-24 Dandelion.
9. Using a CB-202 Detail Liner, apply 2 coats of SC-24 Dandelion to the eye area.
10. Using a CB-202 Detail Liner, apply 2 coats of SC-9 Jaded to the iris of the eyes and the top part of the side fins.
11. Using a CB-202 Detail Liner, apply 2 coats SC-15 Tuxedo to the pupil of the eye, the eyelids and detail the side fins. Add a dot of SC-16 Cotton Tail for a highlight.
12. Using a CB-604 #4 Soft Fan and a CB-106 #6 Script Liner, apply 3 coats of SC-74 Hot Tamale to the inside of the fish.  Allow to dry.
13. Stilt and fire to shelf cone 05/06.