Ceramic - Pottery Dictionary

by Susan Mussi

CLAY - Color Stains.

ca: ARGILA - Acolorida.

es: ARCILLA - Coloreada.

Clay color stains are also known as body stains and can be bought and added to clays to create a different color. White clays are the best to use particularly if you want strong colors. This can be done in two different ways, of which b) is more exact, as both products are powder and can be weighed.

a) Add water to the color and mix into a thick paste and then knead it into the clay.
b) Buy white clay in the form of powder and in a bowl mix it with about 5% of the color, which is also powder. Gradually add water until it becomes a thick paste then take it out and knead it until the two are completely integrated and it has the correct plasticity to work with.

Colored stains and colored clay can be bought and are used in many methods, agateware, slip trailing, etc.
Read more about: Agateware or lamination