Conversion of china-clay-powder to workable-clay?

[Karthik bhaskaran]

I am a beginner in clay-sculpture making. Here in India i have access only to

china-clay (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaolinite).

Here chavant,super-sculpey like stuff and all is not available.

I saw in the Wikipedia that china-clay is being used for making pottery items.

But i dont know how to convert that china-clay from powder to natural-clay

like stuff for making sculptures.

Please guide me in step-by-step process for making the final-workable clay.
It would be of immense help to me.

Thank you ..

[MephistoLV]

Clay powder is mixed with water to turn it into workable clay. There are a couple of different methods to do this.
1) Some people mix by hand, adding a bit of water to the clay powder at a time and hand-kneading it like dough until it has the proper consistency.
2) Some people prefer to add the powder to water in a bucket, mixing it with a paddle attached to an electric drill (similar to mixing house paint). Do this until it has the consistency of heavy cream, then pour it into a plaster bat and let it stiffen to modeling consistency.

Whichever method you use, you then need to wedge the clay before using it.

[Karthik bhaskaran]

Thanks sir,Some doubts,
0)How much level of water should be added to given amount of china-clay-powder?
1)For how many days do i need to leave it in water after mixing?
2)Other than plaster bat anything suitable?
3)For how many days do i need to leave the mixture in plaster for drying?
4)Do i need to add water to workable clay before proceeding to sculpt?

[MephistoLV]

When you use the first method (hand mixing), you just add water a bit at a time, knead, add a bit more water, knead, etc. until you have the desired consistency. The clay should be soft and pliable. It should not be sticky-wet or crumbly-dry. You should be able to roll out a finger-thick coil and wrap it around your finger without it developing any cracks. Getting the correct consistency of clay just takes some practice and experience.

If you use the second method of adding the clay powder to the water, you are making what is called slip. The slip should have the consistency of heavy cream. You don't need to leave it in the water after mixing. Just pour it into the plaster bat. The purpose of the plaster is to absorb water from the slip, leaving behind clay with the proper modeling consistency. How long it stays in the plaster depends on the ratio of water to clay and on the environmental conditions you are in, but typically you can expect times from half an hour to a few hours if you are doing everything correctly.

Once you have wedged your clay and are modeling with it, you will use water occasionally to keep it moist and smooth. Damp sponges, spray mist bottles, and wet fingers are all used for this purpose.

When storing your unused wet clay, always double bag it in plastic and then seal it in an air-tight plastic container, and it will stay moist and workable indefinitely.

It sounds from your questions like you have not worked with water-based ceramic clay before. I would encourage you to find a local potter who can actually show you in person the techniques I am describing. Ceramic clay is cheap and easy to work with, but it does require some practice and experience to get used to it. Having a mentor in person will benefit you greatly in this.

[Karthik bhaskaran]

Sir what are the other raw-materials needed for making workable clay?

I have only china-clay powder.
plaease sir help me.

[MephistoLV]

There are really no other raw materials needed for clay modeling. It is just clay, water, and practice. You shape the clay with your fingers and hands, and whatever other modeling tools you like. It can be simple and rustic, or you can use loop tools, texture tools, and custom-shaped modeling tools to create intricate surface detail. People have been doing this for thousands of years to create both functional and decorative art objects.
If you want to also get into glazing and firing your pieces later, that's another set of discussion topics. For now however, you don't need to worry about anything but learning how to manipulate clay and water.

[vish4u.good]

Hi, your post has answered some my queries too. However, I would like to know where to get the china clay. I live in Hyderabad, India and I am not sure how and where to get the clay for making sculptures.
Can bentonite be used for the modelling? I would be happy to know how?

Thank you.

[Adriela]

Hi, I posted an apparently too-long reply regarding Kaolin, etc. I'll get back to you in a bit, as the moderator still hasn't okay'd the post.. Noob. Me.

[ranjitha.b.a]

were can i get china clay powder in banglore please help ............