Fish Press Technique

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Prepare Clay

Knead the clay as if working with bread dough to remove any air pockets.

Roll Clay

Roll out the clay with a rolling pin.
This pottery fish press technique is easy to do.
It is best to lay paper or a piece of plastic to roll the clay out on, it will make it easier to pick up after it is rolled out.
If you lay a yardstick on each side of your clay just wide enough so that the rolling pin will ride on them, when your clay is rolled out it will be the same thickness throughout.

Press Fish Skeleton Into Clay

The best fish for getting a skeleton for this process is your pan fish because they are fried whole and the skeleton is usually flat.
After you have carefully taken the meat off the bones, dry the skeleton in the oven at about 100 degrees with the door cracked for about one hour.
Gently press the fish skeleton into the clay with your fingertips.

Cover Fish

Cover the clay slab with freezer paper or craft paper.

Press Fish

Press the fish skeleton into the clay with the rolling pin.

Lift Paper

Peel away the paper.

Remove Fish

Gently remove the fish skeleton.

Add Details

Use a embossing tool to carve in the background detailing.

Apply Color

While the clay is still wet, apply the EZ Stroke colors (which can be purchased at any ceramic shop) for the background and detailing of the fish.

Add Details With Color

Outline and detail the fish with black.
Let the clay dry.
To finish the piece, glaze with clear glaze and fire to shelf Cone 06.