Coloring Clay With Mason Stains

[luhps]

I've got a two gallon bucket of recycled white stoneware clay (mixture of types from low to high grog content)

I want to add some mason stains to it, dry it, and throw it.

 

The only issue, I'm not sure how much to add, I'm guessing for that much clay its quite a bit, or is it simply just "whatever you feel is best" and i really just add it until i get the desired color and go from there.

 

Anyone have any tricks, measurements, other additives ?

 

TIA,

 

Brian

[Marcia Selsor]

There was extensive discussion a few weeks ago. See this thread:

http://ceramicartsda...g-mason-stains/

 

You can add up to 25% of dry weight although that is a high percentage. You'd need to estimate what the liquid percentage is.

Best to test. Also follow the reference codes. Not all stains work for coloring clay bodies.

Marcia

[Chris Campbell]

Before you go any further, I would highly recommend doing some test batches.

Not all clays take stains the same way so mix the clay and do small batches with the

Mason colors you want to try.

 

Pinks and yellows can go as high as 25% dry stain.

Dark blues and greens take around 10%.

 

Mix the stain into the clay and make a sample disc to fire.

You could then try mixing them with each other to see if you can get nice blends.

Also mix the pure color with different % of white to see various shades.

 

Don't do the whole big batch at once without testing!

[luhps]

Before you go any further, I would highly recommend doing some test batches.

Not all clays take stains the same way so mix the clay and do small batches with the

Mason colors you want to try.

 

Pinks and yellows can go as high as 25% dry stain.

Dark blues and greens take around 10%.

 

Mix the stain into the clay and make a sample disc to fire.

You could then try mixing them with each other to see if you can get nice blends.

Also mix the pure color with different % of white to see various shades.

 

Don't do the whole big batch at once without testing!

 

 

lol, where's your sense of wasteful adventure!

 

this is actually some good advice. better then "mix a bit in, till it looks right" i did not consider what would happen after a full firing.

boy do i need my own studio, this is gonna be a ######.

 

thanks!