Wedging clay is a way to process clay without a pug mill. Take your clay off of your plaster bat, and wedge it by hand before you can use it. You will need a canvas covered table so that the clay doesn't stick to the surface., then use the heel of your hands to push the clay in front of you. Then you will need to roll it back to you and repeat this process over and over again. You do not want to flatten the clay and then fold it because you will create air bubbles inside the clay if you do. The wedging process will remove air bubbles if done properly, and it will work the denser spots into the softer spots and even out the consistency of your clay. As you work you will see the clay start to spiral, which is a method called the Ram's Head Method because it looks like the snout of a ram and the spiral of a horn. It is important to keep going until you get all the lumps and bumps worked out. |
