Well, first you use a low-fire kiln setting. This temp generally ranges between 1950° F / 1100° C up to 2109° F / 1154° C. This essentially evaporates all of the water from the clay and solidifies it. Then you apply glaze. This particular piece has a high fire glaze, which requires a second kiln cycle of about 2381-2455° F / 1305-1346° C.
There are dozens of types of clay. In pottery they can be divided into three basic classes: earthenware clay, mid-fire stoneware clay and high-fire stoneware clay. So in short, the three classes are earthenware, stoneware and porcelain.
The three categories are based on the duration and temperature in which firing takes place in order to reach optimal hardness. Earthenware clay is the hardiest, followed by stoneware which has basic workability, then comes porcelain which is the most delicate; delicacy is the result of lack of impurities.
Porcelain clays have the highest firing temperature. They are characteristically whiter shades as they are made of fine-grained white clays with high contents of kaolin. Stoneware clays fire at a medium temperature, they are very durable and non-porous; they are generally shades of brown or gray due to low levels of impurities. Earthenware has the lowest firing temperatures; these clays are the classic terra cotta commonly seen. Earthenware is also really cool because it can be fired without a kiln - just in your backyard if done successfully. This is why most ancient pottery is earthenware.
I am not a fan of earthenware. It is generally grainy. If I'm making something large, stoneware is nice because it is more forgiving than porcelain. But, porcelain is where it's at.
Well, first you use a low-fire kiln setting. This temp generally ranges between 1950° F / 1100° C up to 2109° F / 1154° C. This essentially evaporates all of the water from the clay and solidifies it. Then you apply glaze. This particular piece has a high fire glaze, which requires a second kiln cycle of about 2381-2455° F / 1305-1346° C.
excellent............ .....and is there a special clay we use?
There are dozens of types of clay. In pottery they can be divided into three basic classes: earthenware clay, mid-fire stoneware clay and high-fire stoneware clay. So in short, the three classes are earthenware, stoneware and porcelain.
The three categories are based on the duration and temperature in which firing takes place in order to reach optimal hardness. Earthenware clay is the hardiest, followed by stoneware which has basic workability, then comes porcelain which is the most delicate; delicacy is the result of lack of impurities.
Porcelain clays have the highest firing temperature. They are characteristically whiter shades as they are made of fine-grained white clays with high contents of kaolin. Stoneware clays fire at a medium temperature, they are very durable and non-porous; they are generally shades of brown or gray due to low levels of impurities. Earthenware has the lowest firing temperatures; these clays are the classic terra cotta commonly seen. Earthenware is also really cool because it can be fired without a kiln - just in your backyard if done successfully. This is why most ancient pottery is earthenware.
The piece above is porcelain.
Cool. Thanks for the info. 3 is a great number. Have you worked with all 3?
Yes lol.
Wow. Which do you prefer?
I am not a fan of earthenware. It is generally grainy. If I'm making something large, stoneware is nice because it is more forgiving than porcelain. But, porcelain is where it's at.
Eye seeeeee...... ....excellent... what type of paint do you cover it with that can withstand that incredibly hot hot heat?