 |
 |
|
 |
© 1999-2004
Association of Lifecasters International
All rights reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
FORUMS
|
|
|
|
|
  |
| Author |
Message |
Bob Brumley
Joined:
:
04-Aug-2004
|
Started On : 15-Apr-2006 at 10:07:46 AM, #Views : 6237
Topic Subject : Re: Re: Another ceramic face |
|
Doug,
I don't know how helpful I can be with tips on clay pressing techniques...I went to a local pottery supply place and got what the owner called "raku" clay. Since Raku is a method of reduction firing and not a type of clay, it just means that the clay has some grog (pre-fired bits of clay) in it which helps to keep it from cracking when the temperature of the piece changes really fast....it is also a lower temperature firing clay.
When I press the clay into the mold I put the silicone skin mold into the mother mold and run a bit of vaseline around the inside edge of the mother mold to help the silicone to stick to it and not flop around. I splash a little bit of water into the mold (couple of tablespoons?) and then pinch off a piece of clay and rub it all around the inside of the mold to get a thin film of clay everywhere. Starting at the nose, I pinch off some clay and press it into the mold, building from the center. I don't worry too much about the thickness of the center of the face, but rather concentrate more about really pushing the clay into the mold. If you want you can fill the entire mold with clay and then take clay away from the center and leave a one inch border around the edge of the face. I stopped trying to make them uniformly thin and have had better success with the faces not cracking.
When the clay dries (about a week?) it will shrink and pull away from the silicone so that is when you know the clay is dry enough to de-mold. You will have to fix the cast with clay slip or really moist clay and let it dry some more.
If you know someone who works with clay you can try to get hints and tips from them....but good luck, most of the potters I talked to around here were kind of snobbish when it came to helping someone "cheat" by using a mold to create a ceramic piece.
Send a picture when you get done....
Bob
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
