Trying to figure out which clay body to use for your work? There are so many types of clay used for pottery and ceramic sculpture out there it can be difficult to learn which one is best suited for the work you want to make. This section of Ceramic Arts Daily is designed to help you learn about many types of pottery clay available and figure out which one has the characteristics you are looking for. Whether you are looking for instructions on how to make pottery clay from a recipe or want to buy pottery clay from a ceramic supplier, these articles will help demystify the process.

And, if you haven’t already, be sure to download your free copy of the Successful Tips for Buying and Using Pottery Clay: How to Select the Right Clay, Estimate your Clay Needs, and Test Clays for Better Results, a great studio reference for finding the pottery clay that’s right for you.

In his popular book Clay: A Studio Handbook, Vince Pitelka defines a clay body as a mixture of clays and other ceramic raw materials formulated to give desired working characteristics. Testing is key to figure out the clay body that will work the best for your goals. Paul Wandless shares great instructions for figuring out the right pottery clay type for your needs.

If you’re interested in experimenting with new and interesting ways to work with pottery clay, there is information in these pages covering everything from paper clay to colored clay. Gillian Parke even mixes feldspar and molochite into her porcelain clay to create pearl-like eruptions in her surfaces.

From how to wedge clay, to how to determine clay shrinkage, to tips on throwing porcelain, these archives are filled with the information you need to get the best results in your ceramic art.

Successful Tips for Buying and Using Pottery Clay

Learn all about buying and using pottery clay when you download this freebie, Successful Tips for Buying and Using Pottery Clay.