Can You Make Clay Slip With Wet Clay?

What is Clay Slip?

Clay slip is a liquid mixture of clay and water that has a creamy, yogurt-like consistency. It is used in pottery and ceramics for joining pieces, adding decorative elements, and providing smooth surfaces. Clay slip acts as an adhesive to bind surfaces together without having to use dry clay, which can often crack during drying.

While clay slip contains clay particles like wet clay, it has a lower clay to water ratio. This allows the slip to have a thinner, more fluid consistency than wet clay straight from the bag. Typical clay to water ratios for slip range from 1:3 to 1:5. The smooth, liquid properties allow slip to be brushed on leatherhard surfaces. When applied to dry greenware and fired, slip melts and fuses to create a glossy coating.

Wet clay direct from the bag is thicker, heavier, and more clay-rich than slip. While it can be used as an adhesive in a pinch, wet clay has limitations for joining and surface applications. The thicker texture makes it hard to brush on smoothly. As excess water evaporates, wet clay can dry too quickly. Using prepared clay slip results in a more workable material for ceramics projects.

Making Clay Slip

Making your own clay slip at home is a simple process that involves just a few ingredients and steps. The basic recipe calls for clay, water, and a deflocculant. Here’s how it’s done:

Start by gathering your ingredients. You’ll need:

• Dry clay powder – any pottery clay will work such as stoneware or earthenware
• Water
• Deflocculant – such as sodium silicate or Darvan

To make 1 gallon of slip, mix together:

• 2-3 pounds of dry clay
• 1 gallon of water
• 1-3 tsp deflocculant

Add the dry clay to the water little by little, mixing continually to break up any clumps. Use a drill with a paint mixer attachment for this process. Mix for 5-10 minutes until the clay is fully incorporated into the water and smooth.

Next, add in the deflocculant 1 teaspoon at a time. The deflocculant helps keep the clay particles suspended evenly in the water. After each addition, mix for 2-3 minutes. The slip should be smooth, creamy, and free of lumps.

Check the consistency by dipping a spoon into the slip. It should slowly drip off the spoon, forming a ribbon-like trail as it falls back into the bucket. If it’s too thick, add more water. If it’s too thin, mix in more clay powder.

Once you achieve the ideal creamy slip consistency, let it sit for 24 hours before using. This allows the clay to fully hydrate. Your homemade clay slip is now ready for any project!

Using Wet Clay to Make Slip

While using wet clay from your clay projects can seem like a convenient way to make slip, there are some challenges with this approach:

• Wet clay tends to be thicker and needs more water added in order to reach the right slip consistency. Too much water can weaken the structural integrity of slip.
• Freshly wet clay also contains small granules that need to be strained out through sieving or a paint strainer before using as slip. If granules are present, they can create bumps and texture when applying slip that may be undesirable.
• Letting freshly wet clay age for a few days allows the moisture to evenly distribute throughout the clay. Sieving after aging will provide the smoothest slip.

With some adjustments to water content and proper aging and sieving, wet clay can be effectively turned into usable clay slip for projects.

Benefits of Making Your Own Slip

Making your own clay slip at home offers several key advantages for ceramic artists and potters:

Customize Color and Texture

When you make your own slip, you have full control over the color, consistency, and texture. You can add stains, minerals, or grog to achieve desired effects. Experiment until you create your perfect slip.

Cost Savings

Purchasing premade slip at an art store can get expensive, especially for large projects. Mixing your own allows you to produce abundant slip using ingredients you likely already have on hand.

Creative Flexibility

From thick slip for attaching elements to thin slip for surface decoration, homemade slip provides the ultimate flexibility. Make small batches in different colors and textures for a variety of applications.

Tips for Making Clay Slip

Making your own clay slip at home opens up more possibilities for projects and customization. Here are some tips for getting the best results:

Choosing the Right Clay

Opt for a clay body that is smooth and plastic. Avoid clays with large particles as these will not break down well. Standard stoneware and porcelain tend to make nice slips.

Measuring Ingredients

Use precise measurements by weight, not volume, for the most consistent results batch to batch. The basic ratio is 1 part dry clay to 4 parts water, but this can be adjusted.

Proper Mixing and Hydrating

Mix the dry clay and water thoroughly to fully incorporate. Allow the mixture to sit for 4-12 hours for the clay to fully saturate before adjusting thickness.

Storing Slip

Store prepared slip in airtight containers to prevent evaporation and contamination. Slip can keep for many months if stored properly.

Troubleshooting Homemade Slip

Homemade clay slip often requires a little adjustment to get it to the optimal consistency for your needs. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:

Fixing Thin or Thick Slip

If your clay slip is too thin and runny, add more dry clay powder mix gradually until reaching the desired thickness level. For clay that is too thick and goopy, slowly add more water while mixing thoroughly until the desired slip consistency is achieved.

Dealing with Lumps

Lumps and clumps can form if powdered dry clay or slip is not mixed well enough. Continue to mix the clay with an electric mixer/paddle on low speed or whisk vigorously by hand for several minutes at a time until all clumps are broken up and a smooth consistency is reached.

Making Smooth Slip

Keep mixing the clay slip for at least 5-10 minutes after all lumps are broken down to achieve the smoothest possible consistency. It can also help to pour the slip through a fine screen or mesh strainer to catch any remaining small lumps. Always mix in one direction and scrape down the sides of the mixing container periodically to ensure even blending.

Slip Recipe Inspiration

When making your own clay slip at home, you have the flexibility to create custom slip recipes for different needs. Here are some recipe ideas to inspire your homemade clay slips:

Basic Clay Slip

A simple go-to recipe with just two ingredients:

• 1 bag dry clay powder
• 2-3 cups water (add gradually until desired consistency)

Recycled Clay Slip

Reduce waste by rehydrating leftover dried clay scraps:

• 2 cups clay scraps
• 2 cups water

Thick Slip for Attachments

Extra thickness helps affix appliques:

• 2 bags clay powder
• 3 cups water
• 1 tbsp cellulose gum powder (thickener)

Projects Using Clay Slip

Slip has a range of creative applications for pottery, art, and decorating. When you make your own clay slip, you open exciting craft possibilities.

Pottery Techniques Using Slip

Slip can serve as a decorative clay glaze alternative by applying it directly onto bisqueware or greenware. Brushing slip onto pottery creates beautiful earthy effects with natural color variation. Other pottery uses for slip include:

• Attach handles onto mugs or cups
• Glue cracks and broken pieces
• Join coils and slabs of clay
• Create clay appliques for texture
• Make slip trailing designs

Crafts Using Slip

Slip transforms clay in creative ways. Fun crafting ideas include:

• Tint slip with natural pigments like turmeric or spirulina
• Pour slip into molds to make planters, bowls, or figurines
• Make air dry clay magnets or ornaments with slip
• Use slip as “clay glue” for mosaic projects
• Create slip marbled fabrics and papers

Decorative Uses for Slip

Around your home, use clay slip decoratively to:

• Brush slip onto flower pots or garden sculptures
• Coat natural elements like rocks or driftwood
• Create textured paint effects on walls
• Adhere clay embellishments onto tiles or vases
• Make artistic murals with layers of colored slip

Safety When Working with Slip

When making and working with clay slip, it’s important to take proper safety precautions to avoid skin irritation and properly dispose of materials.

Avoiding Skin Irritation

Raw clay contains silica dust which can be drying and irritating to the skin. Be sure to wear gloves when handling dry clay powder or liquid slip. The clay minerals themselves can also cause skin irritation, rashes or even infections for some people. Using protective gloves and washing hands thoroughly after working with clay can help prevent skin issues.

Proper Clean Up and Disposal

Don’t pour leftover slip down the drain where it can clog pipes. Allow liquid slip to fully dry either in a bucket or spread out on newspaper, then dispose of the hardened clay in the regular trash. Use a dust mask when cleaning up dry clay dust, and wet mop the floors to contain the dust and prevent it spreading through the air.

Ventilation Requirements

Working with dry clay powder can create airborne silica dust, so proper ventilation is essential. Work outdoors if possible, or near an open window with a fan venting air outside. Avoid breathing the silica dust particles by wearing an N95 respirator mask rated for fine particulates.

FAQs About Making Clay Slip

Many people have questions when they first start making their own clay slip at home. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about working with slip:

Common slip questions

What is the ideal consistency for slip? The best consistency is like heavy cream – thick enough to coat clay evenly, but still pourable. If your slip is too thin, it won’t perform as well.

How long does slip last? As long as it’s stored properly in an airtight container, slip can last for many months. Be sure to stir or remix before using if it’s been sitting for awhile.

Slip myths debunked

Myth: You can’t make slip from bone dry clay. Fact: You actually can make slip from dried clay if you are patient and allow time for thorough soaking and mixing. It just takes longer than with wet clay.

Myth: Slip made from porcelain is weaker than stoneware slip. Fact: The type of clay used does not affect the strength or durability of properly made slip. Porcelain and stoneware slip are equal in this regard.

Expert clay slip advice

Use a blender for quick, smooth slip. Using an electric kitchen blender makes quick work of mixing up smooth, lump-free slip. Make sure to only fill the blender halfway at most to prevent overflow.

Store slip in covered plastic buckets. Slip keeps best in food-grade plastic buckets with tight fitting lids. This prevents moisture loss and contamination while allowing easy access.