• 10kg pack of terracotta clay
• 16 mesh hand-building body
• Comes in a moisture-sealed bag
• Smooth enough for throwing and ideal for hand-building
• Suitable for modelling, sculpture busts, decorations, garden and outdoor ornaments
• Knead before use for best handling
• Bisque fire at 1000°C or 1100°C for a deeper orange tone
• Use with earthenware glazes
• Not suitable for functional/domestic ware
• Ideal for school and classroom use
In the artroom, this terracotta clay supports a wide range of three-dimensional making activities. Students can create expressive sculptures, textured reliefs, or large-scale forms that reflect their understanding of form, texture and storytelling. Its firm body allows for structural builds, while its smoothness supports detail and surface decoration. Teachers can use it to introduce clay fundamentals, from pinch and coil methods to slab building and throwing. For best results, always knead the clay before use to soften and prepare it. A reliable and flexible material, Northcote Terracotta is an artroom favourite for sculpture-based units and outdoor installation projects.
FAQ
How many tennis balls of clay can you get from a 10kg pug of clay?
30 tennis balls of clay. (Use a clay cutter for easy cutting).
Storing and Handling Clay:
Always store clay out of direct sunlight and heat. Avoid poking fingers through bag. Never carry the clay bag by the heat seal this could cause moisture to escape from the bag. Between uses, store clay in a well-sealed soft plastic bag i.e. plastic garbage bag. Squeeze the air out of the bag and tie it in a knot. A small amount of moisture can be splashed into the bag to keep clay moist. If clay becomes too firm, slice slab / lump into 1cm thick slabs (like bread slices) and dip each one into water before placing them in a stack in a plastic bag. Sit for 1-2 days, then knead into shape. This is the fastest and easiest way to recycle.
Stages of Clay
Slip: Slip is used to join clay. How to make slip: Dried clay is crushed and mixed with water mix to a custard consistency. Keep in airtight container.
Stage 1: Malleable: The stage where you can build artwork. Wrap leftover clay in a clean, damp cloth/wipe and put in an airtight plastic bag.
Stage 2: Leather Hard: Clay has started to dry out but you can still carve into the artwork. This is also the stage to burnish pieces (smooth them out). Wrap leftover clay in a clean, damp cloth/wipe and put in an airtight plastic bag.
Stage 3: Bone Dry: Bone dry means that the piece is fully dried out and it is ready to go in the kiln. It is best to slowly dry out the clay to prevent cracking, by lightly covering with plastic bags.
Stage 4: Bisque Fired: This is the first firing. The clay can now be decorated with an underglaze or brush on glaze. Alternatively, bisque fired clay can be painted with acrylic paint or clay transfer Tissue can also be applied.
Stage 5: Glaze Fired: This is the last firing and must be done at a higher temperature (see instructions).
Make sure there is no glaze on the bottom of your piece as it may join to the kiln shelf.
Terracotta Clay - Making a Mug
Step One: Cut a piece of clay using the Wire Cutter tool. Shape into a ball.
Step Two: Cup the clay ball in the palm of your hand. Poke your other thumb in the centre of the ball, ¾ of the way to the bottom.
Step Three: Work your way around the pot with even pressure of your thumb and index finger to create a wall of even thickness.
Step Four: If the clay starts to dry, dip two fingers in water and rub this over both hands. Too much water will make the clay sloppy.
Step Five: Use moist fingers to smooth out cracks in the clay.
Step Six: To make the handle, use even pressure from finger tips to roll out a coil of clay.
Step Seven: Score both sides of the objects to be joined and apply slip to the score marks. Press pieces of clay together.
Step Eight: Use a coil around the join and blend to both. Smooth the joins and blend the seams.
Step Nine: Leave to dry for bisque firing. Lightly cover with a plastic bag to slow the drying process and prevent cracking.
