Sculpting with clay?

Question

I have lots of red clay in my back yard would it be good for sculpting? and if it is, how does it dry?

Answer 1

it would depend on the working properties of the clay.
do you want to fire your clay pieces to make it permanent???
then you need to know what is the melting temperature of the clay and fire it below that temperature.
and when you sculpt the clay, you need to hollow it, because otherwise it will crack due to the thickness and the shrinkage,
so you need to reduce the thickness to prevent cracking.
if your clay is too soft, then you need to add grog(powered fired clay) to stiffen it.
oh yes!!! you need to learn how to knead the clay to remove air bubbles(otherwise when you fire it, it will expand and distort your piece.)and you need to learn how to prepare your own clay after you dig it up from the backyard.(but i'm assuming that you already know how to do that.)
you air dry your pieces first, then you fire them in a kiln to make them permanent.
happy sculpting!!
God bless,
gabe

Answer 2

Hey Ink Wash,

In it's natural state, it will not work so great. There are a ton of variables in the properties of natural clay. To make cement harden evenly, we use to add a little Lime. Try that, and be sure to follow good clay working practices. Like other people said above. Work the clay, (you have to mix the lime in anyway), get the air out, fire it when done, etc.

Answer 3

Freyr - penis Freyja - Brísingamen (neckalce) Idunn - a box containing apples (not golden, the eleven golden apples belong to Gerðr and were presented to her by Skirnir on behalf of Freyr) Thor - hammer (note: Norse Mjolnir has a short handle and large head the Anglo-Saxon version has a long handle and a small head) Sunna - sun Mano - moon Heimdallr - blowing horn (as opposed to a drinking horn) Frigga - spinning tools Odin - spear and be sure to only have on eye (no patch, an empty eye-socket)

Answer 4

Ive tried doing it with a bluish clay in my backyard.It felt great, was easy to work with,but as it dried,it crumbled to pebbles! I didnt have a kiln to try,but I tried firing it in a bonfire and in an oven.Neither worked snif*......Good luck.

Answer 5

it depends it cam prob. dry in 24 hours or you have to put it in the oven so it can harden.


hope this helps

Answer 6

AS A SCULPTOR MY SELF , I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD EXPERIMENT . I HAVE MANT TERRA COTTA PIESES I'VE DONE OVER THE YEARS & I ENJOY THE GROG & GENERAL TEXTURE OF IT . HEY , GO FOR IT ! SEE WHAT HAPPENS ! GOOD LUCK ! (POPARTIST) TP. MULLIN

Answer 7

not to good these days cuz when you put it in the sun they start cracking

Answer 8

it will crack but will work all the same

Answer 9

i dunno about backyrd clay. u may b better off with buying some. u can get it at michaels... the craft store.