Why on earth would you put paper into clay? And What even would I use that for?
Well let me tell you. (Here is one I made earlier)
When you add paper pulp to a clay body, it changes the structure of the clay on a microscopic level, (yup, it's super scientific!) so ... when I add the pulp to the clay it will introduce paper fibres to the clay which knit together and reinforce the clay form as it dries, that makes the clay body extremely strong, which means I can build some REDONKCULOUS forms... yes... now you know my secret... It's Paper clay.
I can make some super thin pieces that join together much easier as the paper is so absorptive but has still got a decent bit of strength.
I am still even to join new clay sections to dried green ware!! This is because the paper still absorbs enough water to rehydrate the clay to make a strong join. If I make a Porcelain Paper clay I can make it very very thin and fine meaning I can experiment and exploit the translucent qualities of porcelain. It's very exciting.
The introduction of the paper also means that the drying process is far more controlled which reduces cracking caused by drying too quickly, it speeds that up too which as an impatient ceramist is more preferable.
I don't need to worry about the fibres, They will burn out of the clay during the kiln firing and leave a very porous very strong piece but still be very light.
I will only fire my paper clay in one firing. This is because the traditional way of firing to bisque and then a glaze firing will cause the Paper clay to become brittle and easily breakable, that's because the magic of burning out the paper fibres has already happened in the first firing and the second firing just causes it to start shrinking all over again, this makes cracks or worse it breaks totally. Don't worry though, I will still fire my Porcelain paper clay to 1250°C ….. in one firing.... It's just a slow controlled one.
To do that I make sure the piece is Bone Dry, that's important not only for your piece to make sure the piece makes it through the firing, but also for Kiln health. Any steam in a kiln is bad. Once I'm sure its dry I will then glaze it. As some of you know I use an airbrush to glaze my pieces this is because not only is it kinder on my hands (MS sucks) but it is also much quicker and gives me even coverage. However it does need to dry again between glaze layers. It glazes exactly like your clay usually would which is great!!
So Paper Clay ... it's strong, it's fine, it's light, its glazes like normal clay and it fires in ONE firing and its my favourite way to work.
Scarva Pottery Supplies in Northern Ireland my local pottery supplier sell premade paper clay. I have used their products their great, I have also made my own from scratch which I will do another post about if people would like to hear about that.
Comments