about slipcasting

Slipcasting is a process that involves pouring liquid clay - slip - into plaster molds. I make the original piece out of clay, then from that piece I will cast a plaster mold for slip. The slip is poured into and out of the mold three or four times to build up the surface thickness. Then it is left to dry slightly and carefully de-molded one side at a time, then left to dry thoroughly. The piece is then cleaned up of its registration marks and fired in the kiln as greenware. It is glazed and fired again to finish the piece. I use earthenware slip, which is a low fire clay for the pieces.