Ceramics can be used for a variety of applications, each with their own techniques. There are four main types of ceramics: earthenware, stoneware, porcelain and bone china. (Earthenware being the oldest type). Earthenware is made from clay mixed with other materials such as quartz and feldspar. It's fired at relatively low temperatures that don't reach vitrification point (the point when the material melts to form a glass-like state). This means it remains porous and is therefore susceptible to water absorption. Stoneware is more resistant to water absorption but still not completely waterproof. It's made out of slightly different materials than earthenware and is fired at higher temperatures so vitrification occurs which makes it denser and stronger. Porcelain and bone china are essentially both variations of stoneware; porcelain being whiter in colour whereas bone china has added calcium carbonate from animal bones making it even whiter! Both types are fired at an extreme temperature which causes vitrification to occur.
There's lots of different techniques associated with these different kinds of ceramic application - handbuilding, moulding, throwing on the wheel etc.. Handbuilding involves shaping clay into desired forms using your hands or simple tools like rolling pins or loop tools; this technique generally relies heavily on the use of coiling methods (coiling involves creating a base shape then layering coils on top until you've built up enough height) or slab construction (slabbing involves cutting out pieces of rolled out clay). Moulding requires building up slip onto plaster moulds resulting in very symmetrical shapes that would otherwise take forever to achieve by handbuilding or throwing (throwing involves shaping a lump of clay into desired shapes using a potter's wheel). And finally there's glazing where clear or coloured layers are applied over the clay piece before firing again; this process creates even shinier surfaces as well as protecting against water damage.
Overall, there’s a great range of exciting possibilities when it comes to working with ceramics! With plenty of techniques available depending on what you want to create - who knew working with mud could be so fun?!
