How Do You Make Liquid Clay Slip?

ByScarlett Evans

What is clay slip?

Clay slip is a mixture of clay and water that has a thick, creamy consistency. It is used in various ceramic projects and works as an adhesive to join clay pieces together. Clay slip has several important properties:

  • It creates strong bonds between clay surfaces
  • It smooths rough clay textures so pieces can fit together cleanly
  • It acts as a “grout” to fill gaps in projects
  • When fired, it vitrifies and fuses clay surfaces together permanently

Clay slip’s unique capabilities make it an essential material for ceramic arts and pottery work.

Making Clay Slip

Making clay slip at home is easy and only requires a few simple ingredients: clay, water, and an optional deflocculant. The basic steps are:

  1. Start with a few pounds of clay, preferably a smooth clay such as porcelain or stoneware. Break up larger lumps of clay into smaller pieces.

  2. Add water gradually and mix thoroughly to break down clay particles and achieve a creamy consistency. Use about 1 part water to 2 parts clay by weight.

  3. You may choose to add a small amount of deflocculant such sodium silicate or Darvan to help keep the clay particles suspended evenly. Use no more than 1-3% by weight.

  4. Mix the clay and water thoroughly until no dry lumps remain. The end result should be a smooth liquid that almost pours. Add more water if needed.

  5. Strain the liquid clay slip through a fine mesh sieve to remove any debris or undissolved particles.

The resulting liquid clay is called slip. Test the viscosity by pouring – an ideal slip will coat a stirring stick evenly when dipped in. Store any unused slip tightly sealed in a bucket or jar.

Using and Storing Clay Slip

Homemade clay slip is easy to work with, but keep these tips in mind:

Working with Clay Slip
When using the slip, make sure hands and work areas are clean to avoid contaminating the clay. Some simple ways to use slip include:
– “Gluing” pieces of clay together before baking
– Applying to greenware for a smooth surface before firing
– Brushing onto ceramic bisque pieces before painting

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