Kaolin clay is white after it is fired.
Also known as China clay, Kaolin clay is a soft, fine substance that is typically used to create porcelain figurines and dinnerware. Dry kaolin is available in powder form, which becomes malleable when mixed with water. The preparation of kaolin clay for a sculpture depends on the technique you employ. If you use the slip-casting technique, the clay must be more liquid. If you want to build a sculpture by hand, prepare a thicker clay by adding less water.
Instructions
1. Measure equal amounts of silica and feldspar, which comprise 50 percent of your dry ingredients. If you want to fire your sculpture using a lower temperature -- below cone 10 or 2,345 degrees Fahrenheit -- use nepheline syenite instead of feldspar. The amount of kaolin powder should be equal to the amount of silica and feldspar combined. Put all your ingredients in three different buckets or bowls. To obtain 10 gallons of clay slip for casting, use 44 pounds of dry ingredients - 11 pounds feldspar, 11 pounds silica and 22 pounds kaolin powder.
2. Pour water in a large bucket. The water used should be 50 percent of the weight of the dry materials. Add up to one percent of bentonite, which works as a binding agent.
3. Add your ingredients one-by-one, and mix while adding them.
4. Mix thoroughly using a wooden stick. Or use a mixer, if you have one of a suitable size. If necessary, add more water.
5. Cover your bucket, and leave aside for 12 hours. Covering the mixture is essential, so no impurities get into the clay. After 12 hours, mix again and check the consistency of the clay slip. When it has the consistency of yogurt, the clay slip can be cast into molds.
6. Place the liquid on blocks of plaster or in a cotton pillowcase, if you want to make plastic clay for hand-building. The plaster or cotton will absorb the water. Leave aside for 12 hours, and check if the clay is hard enough for modeling. If the clay is liquid, leave for 6 to 12 more hours. If possible, change the plaster blocks or the cotton pillowcase, so the new ones will absorb the moisture quickly.
