Cos'è l'impasto di paper clay

Summary

In this video, the host explains what Paper Clay is and why artists might choose to use it. Paper Clay is a clay body with the addition of cellulose fiber, making it more workable and lightweight after firing. The host discusses the advantages of Paper Clay, such as its malleability, ability to easily join pieces, and lightweight nature after firing. However, they also note potential downsides like the extra time required for preparation, risk of mold growth, and potential pinhole issues in glazes. The video covers various techniques for working with Paper Clay and provides recipe suggestions for creating your own homemade Paper Clay.

Takeaways

• 🧵 Paper clay is a mixture of regular clay and cellulose fiber (such as recycled paper), which provides structure and workability.
• 🧩 Adding paper clay makes it easier to join pieces together, even when dry, as the fibers attract each other.
• 💪 Paper clay gives strength and flexibility to delicate pieces, making them less prone to cracking or warping during drying.
• ⚖️ Fired paper clay pieces are lighter in weight compared to regular clay pieces due to the burning of the paper fibers.
• 🎨 Artists can experiment with different types of paper fibers to achieve unique textures and effects in their work.
• ♻️ Using recycled paper as a fiber source in paper clay is an eco-friendly way to repurpose waste materials.
• ⏳ Making paper clay from scratch is a time-consuming process compared to buying commercial options.
• 🍄 Homemade paper clay is prone to mold growth if not used promptly, so it's best to make smaller batches.
• 🕳️ The burned paper fibers can leave small pinholes on the surface, which may affect glazing for functional pieces.
• 🔬 There is no single perfect recipe for paper clay; experimentation is key to finding the ideal ratio and ingredients.

Q & A

What is Paper Clay?

Paper Clay is a type of clay body that contains a certain percentage of cellulose fiber, usually from recycled paper or other sources. It is a mixture of regular clay and paper pulp.

What are the advantages of using Paper Clay?

Paper Clay offers several advantages: it makes the clay body more workable and easier to manipulate, it allows pieces to be joined together easily, it creates lightweight pieces after firing (as the paper burns away), and it can produce interesting textures depending on the type of paper used.

Can any type of clay be used to make Paper Clay?

Yes, Paper Clay can be made with any type of clay, whether it's a low-fire or high-fire clay body. The clay and paper pulp are simply combined together.

What techniques can be used with Paper Clay?

Paper Clay can be used with any ceramic technique, including handbuilding methods like pinching, coiling, and slab building, as well as slip casting or pressing into plaster molds.

What is the recommended percentage of paper to add to the clay?

The speaker mentioned adding 5-10% of well-wrung paper pulp to the clay body as their preferred ratio, but the appropriate percentage can vary depending on the desired results.

Are there any disadvantages to using Paper Clay?

Yes, some potential disadvantages include: the extra time required to make the Paper Clay body, the risk of mold growth if too much is made at once, and a slightly more porous surface texture after firing (which could be an issue for functional pieces that need to be glazed).

Can any type of paper be used to make Paper Clay?

Yes, the speaker mentioned being able to use various types of paper, including recycled paper, newspaper, or even toilet paper. The type of paper used can affect the final texture and appearance of the clay body.

How does the speaker recommend preparing Paper Clay?

The speaker prefers to first turn the clay into a slip or liquid clay state, then add the paper pulp and mix thoroughly, possibly using a mixer. The clay can then be dried on a plaster slab and wedged well before use.

What is the purpose of adding paper to the clay body?

Adding paper pulp to the clay body serves several purposes: it increases workability and plasticity, it helps join pieces together, it creates a lightweight body after firing, and it can produce interesting textures.

Is there a 'perfect' or 'traditional' recipe for making Paper Clay?

No, the speaker mentions that there is no single perfect or traditional recipe for Paper Clay, as it is meant to be experimented with. Different artists and ceramists can use varying ratios and types of paper to achieve their desired results.