Carving Away And Smoothing Clay

Carving Away Clay:

• If clay is sticking to the carving tool, the clay is too wet to carve well.
• If you want to smooth a bumpy surface, carve away the high points first by carving them lengthwise. If you drag your cutting tool over the bumpy surface, it will be like driving down a bumpy dirt road: your tool will get bounced up and down and not really smooth the surface out.
• Use a Surform plane to remove large amounts of material. If you use a plane to carve/smooth your piece, realize it only cuts in one direction, either pushing or pulling depending upon how you hold it.
• Use a loop or ribbon tool to refine the surface. Scrape along the surface at a shallow angle to smooth. Use care when cutting at a steeper angle, as these tools can really dig in.
• Always cut toward yourself when using loop/ribbon tools.
• Always have a hand inside the piece supporting the wall from behind as you carve.
• Hold the piece in a comfortable position as you work - on your leg or in your lap for example.

Smoothing:

After you have refined your surface as much as possible with planes and loop tools (if needed), you are ready to smooth.

• First, scrape the surface with a scraper (a thin flexible metal rib) held at a 90° angle to the surface.
• Next, lightly dampen the surface with a sponge and then smooth with a metal rib held at a low angle to the surface - this spreads fine clay particles into any gaps.
• Do not rub your piece with a wet sponge - this will remove fine clay particles from the surface and make it rougher.
• Remember that wetting your piece will make it softer - do not overdo it, and be careful when handling the piece afterward.