Slab-Built Box or Container (Part 4)

Practice slab construction in this art lesson: slab-built box or container (part 4).

🎨 Studio Brief #40

Cut flat slabs of clay and join them to build a box, a house, or a container.

🎯 Your mission

If it cracks, that's part of the story.

⚡ The twist

No tools — just your hands.

What you'll learn

Cut flat slabs of clay and join them to build a box, a house, or a container. Slab construction is like building with clay tiles.

Get ready

Techniques you'll practise

slab constructionscore and slipjoining techniques

You will need

Air-dry clayModeling tools

Step 1 of 5

Roll out clay into an even slab about 1/4 inch thick using a rolling pin with guide sticks.

Step 2 of 5

Use a template to cut out the bottom and four sides of your box.

Step 3 of 5

Score the edges where pieces will join. Apply slip (liquid clay) and press pieces together firmly.

Step 4 of 5

Reinforce the inside corners with thin coils of clay. Smooth all seams.

Step 5 of 5

Add a lid, decorative elements, or texture. Allow to dry slowly to prevent cracking.

Did you know?

🤯 Mind = Blown

🤯 Clay shrinks about 10% when it dries. Plan for it.

🌟 Artist Spotlight

🎨 Ruth Asawa wove sculptures out of wire she learned to bend in a kids' camp.

You did it!

Next: Clay Pinch Pot (Part 5)All lessons

🎯

Next Smart Project

We'll pick an art project that matches exactly where your skills are right now.

✨ More to explore

🌍 Where you see this: Pots, cups, sinks, statues — anything you can hold started as squishy stuff.

🏆 Try this week: Make a tiny clay creature. Give it a name and a story.

👨‍👩‍👧 At dinner: “Tell me about the part of your sculpture you're proudest of.”

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Slab-Built Box or Container (Part 4)

Techniques you'll practise

You will need

Next Smart Project

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Slab-Built Box or Container (Part 4)

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