What project to implement with clay without firing? What are its advantages and disadvantages? What are its limits and how can you get around some of them? Here you will find the answer to all these questions so that you know, whether you are a beginner in pottery, sculptor, adept at moulding or purist ceramist, if this clay is useful for you. At the clay workshop singapore you can find the best solutions.
No-Bake Clay: Instructions For Use
Its main characteristic: this modelling clay hardens in the open air thanks to the synthetic binder it contains and is not intended for firing in a ceramic oven. However, some self-hardening clays only contain paper as certified by supplier. If you are in France you will find many brands available.
The main problem with baking is that the artwork can sometimes explode from an air bubble, or more commonly crack or warp. What a disappointment when this happens after hours of work. It is part of the profession of ceramist however, but that’s when you start, and the learning is very dense, it happens a little too often. Hence the idea of certain manufacturers to put this clay on the market is great.
It can be found in hobby shops, online and at certain ceramic suppliers. It is often offered in small practical packages of 250gr to 5kg but by looking carefully we find larger formats of 10kg. It is naturally creamy white or red and sometimes even coloured.
When to use soil without cooking
- If you want to make pottery at home,
- If you want to use a no-bake sculpting clay for purely decorative items,
- If you prefer to make a preliminary rough sketch in clay rather than in a drawing to fully understand the structure,
- If you don’t have the option of baking your pieces,
- If you can’t afford an oven,
- If you do not want to manage the technical constraints related to the preparation of the part before cooking (kneading, hollowing out, slow drying, etc.) or the constraints of cooking as such.
- If you want to make pottery with your children,
- If you want to make a plaster pressing mould,
- If you want to repair a part without annealing it.
When to avoid this technique
If you want to pour clay: since there is a self-hardener, no-bake clay does not flow properly it does not remain liquid.If you want to create an object intended to go outside especially if you have temperature changes like in Quebec.If you want to eat or drink in your creations even protected by a food varnish, it should not be used as dishes.
If you want to make delicate pieces or pieces that can be handled a lot, such as certain jewellery. If you want to sell your coins, it is better to choose classic clay, porcelain, stoneware, earthenware or any other “noble” clay. Otherwise, you must be very explicit with your buyers who do not know the profession of the ceramist, high-temperature firing being a guarantee of quality and know-how.
The benefits of no-bake clay
- It allows associations to other materials, such as stones, metal or wood,
- It is a non-toxic material to handle (choose a recognized brand all the same where it is indicated natural clay),
- She shapes herself easily and forgives mistakes,
- It is easy to glue pieces of earth together,
- It is easy to paint, acrylic is ideal for bright colours,
- It dries in a few days in the open air.
It dries in the open air, so it should be stored in plastic. Use the same tools as for natural earth. Now you have no more excuses not to start your first creations if you haven’t already.