How to Make Ceramic Slip

You can use ceramic slip like glue when it is applied to clay.

When you are making a sculpture using ceramic clay, it is helpful to know how to adhere clay onto different parts of your sculpture. For example, you will need to know how to successfully attach arms onto a sculpture of a human form. One method for attaching clay is to use a clay slip, which is a combination of ceramic clay and water. Once combined, the clay slip acts like a glue, binding the two sections of clay together.

Things You'll Need

• Ceramic clay
• Bowl
• Water
• Paintbrush
• Clay knife

Instructions

1. Place 1/2 pound of ceramic clay into a large bowl.

2. Pour 1/2 cup of water into the bowl.

3. Mix the two substances well with your hands until it forms a toothpaste-like consistency.

4. Add in more clay or more water to reach the desired consistency if it was not achieved the first time.

5. Paint the ceramic slip onto your clay structure using a paintbrush, clay knife or your fingers.

References

• Pottery Pal: Making Clay Slip