What is the best pottery clay for beginners? (2024)

FAQs

What is the best pottery clay for beginners? ›

Air dry clay is a type of clay that is perfect for those new to making pottery and is great for hand building and making pottery at home as it does not require a kiln.

If you are a beginner who's trying pottery making at home for the first time, we recommend you to get stoneware clay. It comes in a variety of colors from white to dark brown.

Air dry clay is commonly chosen by beginners and hobbyists who are looking for convenience. It does not require any firing or baking and dries naturally when exposed to air.

The predominant types of pottery clay are earthenware, stoneware and porcelain, but a mix of other clays to make them easier to handle may be preferable. You will also need to consider whether you want to glaze the clay or not and what sort of temperatures your clay can stand.

The Best Clay for Beginners

For those new to hand building, the best clay is one that is forgiving and easy to work with. Low fire clays like earthenware offer a good starting point, as they tend to be more plastic and easier to shape.

In summary, pottery is a type of ceramics that specifically involves shaping and firing clay to create functional or decorative objects. Ceramics is the more general term encompassing a wide range of materials and products that are formed by firing non-metallic inorganic materials at high temperatures.

Our Sculpey® polymer clay stays soft and flexible until it's baked. Because it remains pliable, it's a great clay for beginners to use. Its unique formula will let you craft all day until you get your design exactly how you pictured it. It will also maintain its shape, allowing you to add in extra details.

One of the main differences is the way in which each clay sets. While air dry clay sets with air, polymer clay sets by heat. In fact, you can leave polymer clay out in the air for days and it won't set. Polymer clay also won't shrink while it is hardening, unlike air dry clay.

Whilst modelling, polymer clay will always remain a soft texture in room temperature. Whereas air dry clay will begin to harden once exposed to air, which is why artists like to use slip to keep the clay soft and prevent any cracks. Once dry, polymer clay is generally sturdier than air dry clay.

Air dry clay is a type of clay that is perfect for those new to making pottery and is great for hand building and making pottery at home as it does not require a kiln.

What is the most expensive clay for pottery? ›

As a higher quality material, producing a high quality output, it is perhaps inevitable that porcelain clay is the most expensive clay type to buy.

Some people use a charcoal grill as their 'pit'. Use wood chips, coal, or paper to construct a fire in the pit. Ensure that the fire reaches temperatures ranging from 980 to 1100 degrees Celsius. Once the pit fire achieves the desired temperatures, carefully position the pottery within the heat source.

In general, artists new to clay should purchase a white or off-white stoneware like our super popular Sea Mix 5. Stoneware clay bodies are usually smooth and plastique enough for wheel throwing but still structurally strong enough for hand building. They are the most forgiving clays for beginners to work with.

Polymer clay remains soft and pliable and won't dry out. You can bake polymer clays in a conventional oven and your creation will still retain its color, shape and size after curing. Polymer clay is the perfect choice for beginners, but it's suitable for crafters of all skill levels.

What kind of clay is best? Stoneware and earthenware are both versatile clays that are easy to work with. Stoneware is slightly more durable and less prone to breaking than earthenware. Porcelain and kaolin are more expensive and the most durable option for pottery clay.

Is it food-safe? While air dry clay is non-toxic, it's not suitable for use with food or drinks because it gets damaged by water which means it can't be washed.