Design for the Soft Surface with Ben Carter

Click here to browse all CLAYflicks videos.

Search CLAYflicks

Watch Preview:

In this edition of the Ceramic Arts Daily Presents video series, Ben Carter shares his methods for integrating surface design with altered wheel-thrown and handbuilt pottery. Referencing pillows, tufted furniture, and quilts, Carter imbues his pots with softness in a variety of ways—from altering freshly thrown pots to create volume, to stretching soft clay into foam slump molds. Using this overfilled aesthetic as a metaphor for the comfort of southern hospitality, he complements the soft forms with slip and underglaze decoration using sgraffito, slip trailing, and painting techniques.

Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1 - How to Make a Bowl
Chapter 2 - How to Make a Pitcher
Chapter 3 - How to Make a Butter Dish
Chapter 4 - How to Make a Lobed Plate
Chapter 5 - Surface Decoration
Conclusion

Total runtime: approximately 2 hours, 57 minutes

Gallery

About the Author

Ben Carter

Ben Carter is a studio potter from Roanoke, Virginia. He holds a BFA in painting and ceramics from Appalachian State University, and an MFA in ceramics from the University of Florida. Carter has been a resident artist at the The Odyssey Center for Ceramic Art, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, and the Archie Bray Foundation. In 2010, he moved to Shanghai, China, to be the educational director of the Pottery Workshop Shanghai. Recently, he moved back to the United States to set up a studio in Santa Cruz, California. To learn more visit www.carterpottery.com or check out his blog and podcast Tales of a Red Clay Rambler at www.talesofaredclayrambler.com.

Unfamiliar with any terms in this video? Browse our glossary of pottery terms!

Topics: Handbuilding Techniques, Ceramic Decorating Techniques

CLAYflicks Video Topics

Beginner Pottery Techniques

Intermediate Pottery Techniques

Advanced Pottery Techniques

Ceramic Decorating Techniques

Ceramic Glazing Techniques

Ceramic Kilns

Ceramic Sculpture

Glaze Chemistry

Handbuilding Techniques

Making Ceramic Molds

Wheel Throwing Techniques

Interviews & Conversations

QUICKflicks

Sights & Ceramics™

Studio Business

Studio Tours

Talking Clay™

Workshop from Home™

CLAYflicks Testimonials

“Wow. [The Stroke and The Splash] is such an informative and helpful video. As usual, professional and well thought out demonstrations by Mr. Scott. This video alone is worth the price of my CLAYflicks membership.” -William

“I’m not a total beginner but I learned several techniques that I plan to implement.” -Kathleen

“OMG! This is fantastic! Mel [Griffin], you are such a good teacher and are so fun! I love the gestural impressions around the drawing. Mel’s tips while drawing are so helpful. Thanks, Mel!” -Beverly

“Merci beaucoup pour tout ce partage de techniques et de conseil!!! [Thank you very much for all this sharing of techniques and advice!!!]” -Suarez

“Great. I love it. So much to learn in a short and beautifully presented clip.” -ADI

“These conversational workshops mixed with handling and demonstration were magical to watch and truly inspirational. It’s wonderful that they have been recorded for us to watch via clay flicks. Thank you so much.” -Joanna

“The videos are an excellent way to bring out more creativity that I feel I sometimes lack. Love, love, love watching and learning from such patient teachers in the videos” -anonymous

“Thank you very much for this tutorial. Sam [Scott]’s instructions and considerations are so generous and obviously developed through a lot of experience. I really appreciate how explains the “why” of his various processes.” -Kathleen

“Keep doing them (videos). I can’t get anything like them in Australia and I have learned so much! -LM, Australia

“Whether you are a new potter or a seasoned one, there is information for everyone.” -M

“For me your videos have been extremely valuable! My minor in college was ceramics, but we didn’t learn anything like what I’m getting out of the videos! So keep them coming.” -KLI

“All together charming!” -TG, Arizona

“Worth every penny! Lots of great “small gifts” of technique and details of finishing a piece to make it look professionally done.” -MB, South Carolina

“Keep on doing what you’re doing with encouraging a variety of ceramic artists to share their knowledge via your video productions…and I’ll keep enjoying & adding to my library of your videos. You’re doing great!” -KIB. Washington

“We want more. It’s so good!” -M, France, Cannes

“The level of difficulty in the video was what I expected, and then some. Some was a challenge which is what I wanted. I wanted to learn something completely new and this was the perfect answer.” -KHB, California

“Very inspiring. Techniques were demonstrated clearly. I’ve already incorporated some of them in my work.” -Angela. NY

Design for the Soft Surface with Ben Carter Ben Carter