Isculpt Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 I have only worked with earthenwares, stonewares and raku clay. But I'd like to make something that fires smooth and creamy for a change. Would that be a porcelain clay? If so, can anyone suggest a porcelain clay (cone6) that handles somewhat like any of the above? I have the impression that porcelain is muuuuch more difficult, but I'm hoping that I'm wrong about that. Is porcelain a completely different animal or does it handle pretty much like other clays? Jayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 This one is preferred by several sculptor friends. The first is from Tuckers in Canada http://www.tuckerspottery.com/tkps/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=19&category_id=10&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1 This is from Baton Rouge. Others may have preferred clays more locally available for you. http://www.alligatorclay.com/moist.php#1 I mix paper pulp with my porcelain scrap to make my own sculpting clay. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isculpt Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Thank you, Marcia. I notice that the alligator site has 2 porcelains, a "domestic porcelain with great working properties, nice creamy white background" and a "Midrange grolleg porcelain with all the beauty and mystique of a grolleg at midfire, bright, white and transluscent at cone 6". It sounds like the former is what I'm looking for. This has sent me on a half-day perusal of various blogs dealing with porcelain clay -- formulas, techniques, etc. I can't wait to start learning how to work with it..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 A smooth white stoneware will be more forgiving than porcelain, since the plasticity will be better and the shrinkage rate will be lower. Depends on what you're making as to whether or not the porcelain will be problematic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isculpt Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Neil, In looking at the sample board at my local pottery retailer in Charlotte, NC, I haven't seen a smooth, creamy-looking stoneware. Can you suggest one? Jayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Can you get clay from Highwater? Little Loafer's would be worth a try, or Buncombe White if you want just a little tooth. If you don't need it to be totally smooth, I'd go with the Buncombe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isculpt Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Thanks for the suggestions, Neil. I've heard of the Little Loafers, but not the Buncombe White. I can get Highwater Clay, either at Carolina Clay in Charlotte NC, or via shipment, or by taking a day trip to Asheville! Right about now, a day trip to Asheville sounds like a great escape. I'll check it out. thanks, Jayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen B Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 This one is preferred by several sculptor friends. The first is from Tuckers in Canada http://www.tuckerspottery.com/tkps/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=19&category_id=10&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1 This is from Baton Rouge. Others may have preferred clays more locally available for you. http://www.alligatorclay.com/moist.php#1 I mix paper pulp with my porcelain scrap to make my own sculpting clay. Marcia Marcia, does the paper pulp affect the translucency at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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