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How to Choose the Right Kind of Pottery Clay
Posted 2010-01-25 00:00:00
Some clays vary very widely in their qualities and characteristics; for example, the clays that are deposited by rivers and streams are particularly valuable to the craft potter because they are easy to extract and handle and keep their shape well. Some clays work well for one technique and are impractical for others, and it is through experience and experimentation that potters over the ages have determined which are the best clays to use for which purpose.
Whichever type of clay you choose, if you have never worked with it before you will notice that it has a cool, malleable texture that makes it very satisfying to handle. It is this pleasing feel, together with the fascination of the initial plasticity and the dramatic changes that take place in the clay during the firing process, that have drawn craftsmen to work in this material over the centuries.
For the beginner, it is probably easiest to buy clay direct from a potters' supplier. Suppliers will always send catalogues listing their items, so that you can see what is available and compare prices. Clay itself is very cheap. Of the types of clay available, there are three main varieties from which the potter can choose - earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain.
Earthenware - Earthenware clay is either red and white. It is fired at a low temperature, and is soft and porous. Because of the low temperature at which it is fired, the glazes which can be used on it are generally bright and shiny - so choose an earthenware clay for making eye catching, colorful articles.
The relatively low temperature at which the chemical changes take place in earthenware clay to make it hard means that it is ideal for use if you do not have immediate access to a kiln. A garden bonfire, for example, provides enough heat to bake earthenware pots. Earthenware clays can also be decorated in a variety of attractive ways without needing to be glazed.
Stoneware - This clay looks grey in its raw state, and after firing at a high temperature it turns a buff color, opaque and porous. It is a good clay to use for oven to table ware, and for individually modeled pieces if the design demands soft, muted colors. The higher firing temperature allows natural stone glaze to be used.
Porcelain - All translucent wares, whether from the East or West, ancient or modern, are made from porcelain clay. It must be fired at an extremely high temperature, and does not respond well to hand modeling. For these reasons, it is rather less commonly used by craft potters, although some potters now use a semi-porcelain clay which is specially prepared to make it easier to handle.
Porcelain is widely used in the pottery industry, where its whiteness and purity is valued for fine tableware.
All types of clay should be stored in a cool, damp place. Small quantities can be stored in plastic bags well sealed. Always keep clay covered with a damp cloth when you are not actually working on it to prevent it from drying out.
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