Mud Season 1

These two unglazed pieces are the same clay fired to the same temperature. But the one on the right has 1 talc added. Greying of the straw color is a characteristic visual change when this clay body goes from cone 5 to 6. It is accompanied by a 1 drop in porosity (according to our SHAB test). This tiny amount of talc has another detectable benefit: It is also acting as a grease, the body has a noticeably smoother feel and better workability on the wheel. Talc is refractory, this curious firing benefit only happens in small amounts, beyond about 3 it has no effect. Beyond that it makes the body more refractory.