Useful properties of paper clay (from Paper Clay, Rosette Gault)
- Increased dry strength of the body, so there is a decreased risk of damage when handling greenware pieces.
- Cellulose fibres in the body ‘open up the clay’ allowing you to work with the thicker wall with a reduced risk of cracks and fractures.
- When working on sculptural forms, you can add multi-layers of clay at several stages: you can add wet to wet, wet to dry, dry to dry and wet to bisque. Repeat wetting and forced drying can also be carried out with less risk of cracking.
- Fired work will be lighter, a quality that is useful for large-scale pieces.
Bibliography
- Additions to Clay Bodies, Kathleen Standen
- Alternative Kilns and Firing Techniques, Watkins and Wandless
- Paper Clay, Rosette Gault
- Soda Glazing, Ruthanne Tudball
Clay | Ratio | Recipes (unless otherwise stated)
- Terracotta = 8 handfuls of wet clay : 2 handfuls of wet paper pulp
- Stoneware = 900 grams dry clay : 100 grams of dry paper
(mixed in small batches to avoid paper rot over time)
