Slip Painting Ceramics

This red casting body is based on our sheffield clay.

Slip painting ceramics. Once the paper or masking tape is applied to the clay the slip is brushed on. Slipware is pottery decorated by slip placed onto a wet or leather hard clay body surface by dipping painting or splashing. One method of decorating pottery is to do slip paintings. The big difference is that this ceramic decorating technique not only adds lines and patterns but it also creates a raised surface texture that adds tactility to the decoration.

Sheffield red ceramic casting slip. The paper or masking tape is carefully lifted away once the slip has stiffened. It has been used to produce our own pottery for over 60 years. Slip painting better matches the clay s shrinkage which in turn means less worry about heavier applications popping off during drying or firing.

Slip trailing is a great way to use clay slip as a decorative tool. Because the slip painting gets bisqued along with the pot it is on you can add additional color using underglazes or other engobes to strengthen the visual impact or further define the image. Slip is also used to decorate pottery by painting the pottery with the slip and letting it dry creating a two tone look. Standard ceramic slip is labeled in compliance with astm d 4236 88 as required by the labeling of hazardous art materials act public law 100 695 and fully compatible with the nontoxic glazes and underglazes available from duncan and spectrum when properly applied and fired.

The process of slaking clay to make it into slip is a simple one. Grits dover lueders white cameroon. All you need is a 5 gallon bucket a drill with a paint mixer attachment a deflocculant and the clay body you want to use as a casting slip. Midrange stoneware casting slip cone 4 6.

Often only pottery where the slip creates patterns or images will be described as slipware as opposed to the many types where a plain slip. Clay casting slip accessory finishing components bisque china brushes art sets ceramic equipment clay casting slip casting slips supplies menders clay additives moist clay polymer clay clay other craft tools decals electrical lamp firing supplies glass glue tape literature video molds mold supplies musical. Score scoring clay involves slicing small notches into the clay with a sharp tool. Use any sharp object including a knife or even a fingernail.

Our slip has medium quick casting time with excellent releasing qualities and wet strength. W1a cone 6 white stoneware casting slip eathenware casting slips in red and white. Pottery stores sell special needle tools and scratch wire brushes for scoring. If you work in a similar way i highly recommend learning how to make casting slip from your clay body.

Multiple colored slips can be applied to create pictures or designs on the damp or leather hard clay surface. For purchasing convenience please refer to the product by the simple. Some slips will also give a moderate degree of the hardening effect and decreased permeability that a ceramic glaze would give. Highfire stoneware casting slip cone 7 10.

Preparing the casting slip. Like its cousin glaze trailing slip trailing applies material in lines using a slip trailer or other applicator.