Small Ceramic Seal Pup

How the ceramic collectable critters are made

All of my sculptures are born from mud. It’s fancy mud with added stuff in it, but it’s essentially mud.

Once I’ve prepped the clay, I create two identical spheres.

Using the pinch-pot technique I make them into two bowls, which are then scored and joined.

Once the hollow sphere is a little firmer, I then create the shape of the critter by smoothing it with my hands.

After which I’ll add details like the eyes.

Once they’ve dried off a bit I can refine them further, and once completely dry I can give them a last smoothing.

Bisque Firing

When I’m happy with them I carefully load the kiln – which I like to pre-heat for a few hours just to make sure there’s no moisture left in the clay that might cause any explosions.

The temperature will then steadily rise to about 1050°C then left to cool for about 24 hours before I can empty it.

Underglazing

Once cooled (usually 24-48 hours later) I can sand them then brush them down before applying coloured underglazes – usually 2-3 layers hand painted on.

Glazing

They’re then left another 24 hours before having a clear glaze applied on top – again another 3 layers.

Then once they’re dry, I’ll clear any glaze from underneath to help stop them sticking to the kiln shelf .

I’ll score around their eyes and then it’s back into the kiln for the glaze firing. This time the temperature reaches about 1245°C

It can take a good 24-48 hours before the pieces are cool enough to handle.

Then it’s quality check time, and if I’m happy with them, they get a stamp on their bottom, their photo taken and then they’re released back into the wild.