LOW FIRE SLIPS AND CLAYS
work by Don Reitz
Low Fire Technique
Slips on Clay
Problem: Create a series of pieces that use low fire slips combined with glazes for aesthetic expression.
Objective: Learn how to mix a low fire slip, to become familiar with producing ware that utilizes color variation through slip application at the leather hard stage, and to develop imagery that utilizes the combination of under glaze as well as over glaze decoration.
Strategy:
Chose a low fire clay body that reflects the quality of scrafitto line you wish to have.
Make several sketches of that explore variations in layering slip, glaze, firing successively high to low for expression of your personal aesthetic.
Produce a small body of work (5-10 pieces hand built or 15-20 pieces thrown on the wheel) using different variations on slip layering and glaze combination using the surface of your pieces as a “canvas” for personal expression.
Try colored low fire slips with scrafitto decoration and clear glaze on top after the bisque firing.
Instructions:
Discuss the drawings you have made with your instructor before beginning
Mix a low fire slip recipe and add oxides or stains to make 3 different colors of slip and use them to decorate your pieces.
All pieces should employ the use of incising for surface decoration in the leather hard state as well as brush decoration to create a complexity of surface quality.
IMPORTANT:
-Screen all slip mixtures before use.
-Apply slips to leather hard clay.
-Do not fire low fire clay to high fire temperatures.
-Screen all slip mixtures before use.
-Apply slips to leather hard clay.
-Do not fire low fire clay to high fire temperatures.
-Do not confuse low fire clay with high fire clay.
Low fire slips 
OM4 40
EPK 20
Neph Sy 15
Talc 15
3124 10
White Slip c04
EPK 12.5
Calcined Kaolin 12.5
Ball Clay 25
3124 20
Talc 5
Silica 20
Zircopax 5
Cushing Style 04 SlipEPK 12.5
Calcined Kaolin 12.5
Ball Clay 25
3124 20
Talc 5
Silica 20
Zircopax 5
Glo Max 15
EPK 20
OM4 30
Neph Sy 5
3124 20
Silica 6
Bentonite 4
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COLORING OXIDES FOR SLIPS
Red 15% Red Certic Stain
Medium Blue 1% Cobalt Oxide
Black 3% Iron Oxide
2% Cobalt Oxide
2% Manganese
Light Tan 2% Iron Oxide
Light Tan 2% Iron Oxide
Brown 4% Iron Oxide
Dark Brown 6% Iron Oxide
Light Grey 1% Iron Chromate
Medium Grey 2% Iron Chromate
Grey Blue 1% Cobalt Oxide
Medium Green 3% Copper Oxide
Creamy Tan 6% Rutile
Purple Brown 6% Manganese Dioxide
These colorant combinations used in slip will become more intense under a transparent glaze
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LOW FIRE CLAY BODIES FIRING TO CONE 06-04
K.C. Red Earthenware
Red Art 60
Gold Art 15
Hawthorne 15
Talc 10
Barium Pinch
Betty Woodman c04-02 White
Kaolin 50
Ball Clay 50
Hawthorne 50
Wollastonite 12.5
Grog 12.5
Talc 10
White #2 c04
Hawthorne 50
Gold Art 50
OM4 30
Talc 30
CMU BLACK LOWFIRE from spring 2010 class c04
Stoneware reclaim slop 100 lbs
Red Art Clay 50 lbs. (dry)
OM4 Ball Clay Add until desired consistency
Black Iron Oxide 8 lbs.
Manganese Dioxide 1 lb.
