How to Make Colored Slip for Pottery

[@crystalking8496]

I’ve been a Potter my whole life but never worked with slips. Thank you for those tips- so helpful. I’m ready to try it for a new project that’s brewing in my creative mind.

[@annagray6491]

Thank you for your video. Please can I ask where can I get the powdered colour from?

[@matheusmachadoalfradique6151]

Thanks for sharing that. I'm still learning the basics and your videos have been very detailed and helpful. ^^ Please keep up the good work.

[@ThePotteryWheel]

Thanks Matheus, I'm glad it's helpful :)

[@mavisdavisify]

Good ideas here. Thanks for sharing your process. I make those weight bags using kitty litter. My studio is in an outbuilding and I don’t want to attract mice with anything edible.

[@eniolezcano66]

Thank you, that was very efficient

[@ThePotteryWheel]

Hi Enio, Glad it helped :)

[@loryb5024]

what firing temp can you use your slip in? I am assuming at bisque ware temp and/or low firing temp?

[@ThePotteryWheel]

yes, I would normally fire coloured slip at lower temperatures, otherwise, I find the colour can be burned out.

[@loryb5024]

@@ThePotteryWheel I figured that, Your instructional video was well done and I would like to thank you for sharing your tips in the world of slip!!! :)

[@alishastewart2008]

What brand of dye do you use or were to buy it?

[@susyward581]

I use 60% 600g ball clay and 40% 400g china clay and 10% stain , the stains tend to come in 100g sachets (oxides vary) I gently combine all dry ingredients, including stain and add those dry ingredients to water by sliding them down the side of the bucket close to the water, never the other way around, this reduces dust clouds. Can be used both on earthenware and stoneware and with the right consistency perfect for silk screening directly onto damp clay

[@claredevlin1424]

I’m in ceramics and I’m unsure wether I can use food coloring in my slip to dye it. Also if I use a piping bag and make fur for an animal with the tip would it be able to dry all the way?

[@ThePotteryWheel]

Hi Clare, I've never tried food coloring in slip, but I'm almost certain that if you put it in the kiln the color would completely burn out. Are you planning to fire your pottery? If you use the tip of an icing bag for fur, then the slip will be thin and I'm sure it would dry all the way through given a day or so. I hope this helps.

[@5o5a01]

I am new to ceramic so I don’t know if this is correct or not but is underglaze just colored slip? And can i use underglaze instead of pigments for this method?

[@kevinleong4467]

I made slip using 25% of each Tenesse 1 (ball clay), Kaolin, EPK, and Custer Feldspar. I usually use 10% stain. How much water should I add if I am making a 200 gram or 600 gram batch? I used barely any water the first 10 colored slips I made but it took half an hour to sieve each slip through an 80 mesh sieve because it was so thick. Suggestions on how much water I should add for using the slip for slip trailing, painting it on, mishima, or stencils?

[@aishwaryaraju5593]

Hi, can you please tell me what is the powder that you are using to mix in the slip? what is the source of it?

[@ThePotteryWheel]

hi there. It is ceramic stain. There are a few brands, the most well known one is Mason Stains. But you can get other brands. The one I'm using in this video is an unbranded ceramic stain that I bought from my local pottery supplier. You can buy ceramic stains online. What country do you live in? I might be able to suggest somewhere...

[@nataliekeene1452]

@@ThePotteryWheel Hi, I would like to ask you for a recommendation of a good UK supplier. I'm in Norway, things are expensive here, we have jsut one supplier and it is a bit hard with the language for me. Thanka!

[@ThePotteryWheel]

@@nataliekeene1452 Hi Natalie, I really like 'bathpotters', here is a link to their site. www.bathpotters.co.uk/ They dispatch super quickly and are very helpful. Hope that helps, Lesley

[@megandavis3302]

Thanks for sharing. Can you use slip leftover from the potters wheel?

[@ThePotteryWheel]

Hi Megan, yes, as long as you sieve it to get rid of lumps and dirt :)

[@megandavis3302]

@@ThePotteryWheel thank you so much!! I am new and was gifted my ceramics teachers stuff when she retired

[@Dntblnk90]

can't find the results of the mugs you mention on your website or your instagram!

[@catalinarubiocamacho7435]

Hey, thank you for the video, so interesting. Wanted to ask if you never ask flux to the slip?

[@ThePotteryWheel]

Hi Catalina, no I don't add flux to the slip. Is that something you do?

[@reggiethepotter]

Do you add some medium like oil, gum or starch to your slip for sponging? some thing to make it more absorbant? what is the consistancy?

[@sara-yz3gs]

Can you use a different clay body for you slip?? I’m working with terra cotta that’s pretty groggy but was wondering if I could use a smoother lighter colored slip for when I marble the inside. Thank you :))

[@ThePotteryWheel]

Hi Sara, I tend to use slip made out of the same clay as the piece I'm decorating. You could ask your pottery supplier if they recommend a clay that is compatible with the one you have. Or you could experiment with something that fires at the same temperature. Alternatively, you can buy commercially made decorating slip that is very smooth and can be used on a range of different clays. You could buy a white decorating slip and add color to that maybe...

[@sara-yz3gs]

@@ThePotteryWheel Thank you so much ! I’ll do a couple test batches! I appreciate the help ! :)))

[@jessicareed8140]

I just made a batch of colored slip thanks to your video. The slip is way to wet, like the consistency of 1% milk. Should I just leave it out to let some water evaporate or is there some other solution? Thanks!

[@ThePotteryWheel]

Try letting it settle for a few days. You may find that the clay will separate out and a layer of water will form on the top. You can then use a sponge to soak up some of the excess water. Repeat that process until the slip is at the right thickness :-)

[@drjones2419]

Re temperature of quartz inversion: Its in the text of the feature entitled "The Best Clay for Raku Pottery - Choosing a Raku Clay". Otherwise, a very helpful article, thank you for all your helpful hints. Best regards Dr. HB Jones

[@ThePotteryWheel]

Thanks, I try to put temps in C and F and sometimes switch them by accident. I don't naturally think in F. Will amend.

[@fnyfrm]

What mesh do you use to sieve ?

[@laylaharris1847]

Hello, how long does the slip last please and does it need to be refrigerated? X

[@ThePotteryWheel]

I don't keep in the fridge. The clay and colour will separate out from the water but you can just give it a shake and use it. It can sometimes go a bit mouldy, but if you shake it the mould will go away and won't affect the slip. Unless it's really mouldy, then it might get a bit lumpy 🤢

[@celiawood8024]

Hey, are you using earthenware here? Thanks :) x

[@ThePotteryWheel]

No, it's stoneware, I can't remember exactly which one. I think it is Scarva earthstone extra smooth...

[@izyanmahmod3597]

hi whay is the name of color pigment? Is it must food grade color?

[@theabristlebroom4378]

Mason stains, and no they are most definitely NOT food grade, as many would be unsafe to consume as they contain chemicals and metals.

[@em-yd2wz]

how do u dry slip? ive processed my clay and let it dry a little in pillow cases but its too cold outside so its drying inside and I took it out and its still pretty wet like putty. how do I dry that? its all in a pickle jar right now

[@ThePotteryWheel]

If I want to dry it quickly, I line it up on a wall radiator that's on (provided it's one that you can put things on). Or you could put a fan blower on. Or if you have the patience you can dry it with a hair drier quickly. Hope that helps...

[@theabristlebroom4378]

You can also use a plaster bat to dry out the clay. Spread it in an even layer on the plaster, and keep an air flow going with a fan. Turn it once it comes free from the plaster and it won't take long to reach bone dry.

[@Jay.L_Pro]

Is there any difference between colored slip and regular glaze? Love the video BTW!!😊

[@theabristlebroom4378]

Yes. Slip is made from Clay and Mason stains. Glaze does not contain clay, and it may contain Mason stains, or oxides, or other chemicals or minerals.

[@drjones2419]

I have found your videos helpful, in the main, but publishing facts incorrectly needs to be addressed. The temperature at which the quartx inversion occurs is 573ºC, not 573ºF

[@ThePotteryWheel]

Yes, that's right 573C, I must have written a typo, was that on an article I wrote, if so let me know which one and I'll amend the typo. thanks

[@ronaldlogan3525]

why even bother to measure ?

[@ThePotteryWheel]

Hi Ronald, I measure it in case I want to replicate an exact colour on another occasion.

[@theabristlebroom4378]

Also, the stains are expensive, and there is no need to use more then you have to in order to get the color you want.