How to Work with Clay

Basic tips

It is advisable to always knead the clay before starting to work.

If in the course of working the clay loses plasticity, just slightly moisten your hands to recover it. Water should never be added directly onto the clay.

If clay is used to wrap rigid interior supports, it is recommended to first cover the surface with paper or cloth. The water in the clay evaporates during the drying process and causes shrinkage that can lead to cracks or fissures. To avoid this negative effect, the surface is covered with a flexible and absorbent material to favor the contraction of the clay during drying.

When joining two pieces of clay together, make sure that the humidity (stiffness) of both is similar. Otherwise, the softer piece will shrink more during drying and will detach from the harder piece.

Useful tools

Use a cutting wire to slice enough clay to work with (Picture 1).

To get an even surface, use a wooden roller and 2 pieces of wood of the same thickness (Picture 2).

A large wire-loop tool helps to extract large pieces of clay and give shape to the working piece; for example, a bowl (Picture 3).

A double-face wire-loop tool is used to remove the traces of clay and smooth over details (Picture 4).

To seal two different pieces of clay, mark them with a spatula or a die (Picture 5), and then, using a paintbrush, moisten them with slurry (clay previously mixed with water until a liquid texture is obtained).

When pieces are united to form an angle, in order to glue them, it is better to make a noodle of clay along the angle, then to press and define the angle with a spatula (Picture 6).

A wooden rib helps to eliminate small imperfections on flat surfaces (Picture 7)

A metallic rib is used to eliminate small imperfections on curve surfaces (Picture 8)

To polish and smooth the piece, use a damp sponge (Picture 9).

For modelling hollow items, flexible supports can be used.

Drying

Once the object is finished, let it dry evenly, avoiding direct heat sources and drafts. The slower the drying, the less possibility of the appearance of cracks and fissures.

It is recommended to let the object dry on a porous surface (paper, wood, porous ceramic, plaster or cloth).

If the piece is very large or solid, it is recommended to delay drying by covering the piece with plastic that allows a slight opening for the slow evacuation of moisture.

If the piece is completely flat (plate or tile), it is recommended to let it dry with a flat weight on top. This will prevent the piece from warping or cracking on the inside.

The usual drying of the clay ends between 1 and 4 days at room temperature, depending on the thickness and environmental conditions.

IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that the clay contracts (shrinks) during drying. The more water the clay contains, the greater its drying shrinkage and thus the risk of cracking.

Storage

Once the package is opened, wrap the remaining clay in tightly closed plastic, making sure that there are no air pockets. If the clay has hardened during storage, but is still moist, it can be softened again by kneading it with moist hands.

During work interruptions, cover the object with plastic or a damp cloth. This will prevent the clay from drying out.

CAUTION: do not store the clay at temperatures below 0ºC (32 F). If the clay freezes, it loses its properties.

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