Cold Porcelain Recipe
3/4 cup of white glue (Elmers is recommended)
1/2 cup of water
1 teaspoon of cold cream*
1 teaspoon of glycerin
1 cup cornstarch
Heavy bottomed skillet - CAN NOT BE USED
FOR FOOD!!
Mix wet ingredients until smooth over
medium heat. Cook for a few minutes and
add cornstarch. When adding cornstarch,
add a bit at a time, and stir constantly
while adding. Continue to cook over medium
heat, stirring continually until the mixture
forms a ball. Remove from pan and mix
thoroughly with hands, using a kneading
action. (I like to cover with a damp cloth
until its cool enough to handle) Do not
refrigerate. Keep in an airtight bag.
Notes:
* Ponds Cold Cream will do the job also
Sorbolene (in Australia), which is what
I use because I couldn't get cold cream.
You will find Sorbolene at the supermarket
or chemist (pharmacy). You could probably
try any white hand cream with similar
results.
Use as you would any modeling paste,
can be molded and used in many ways...
color before sculpting, or paint with
any paint when dry.
Coloring:
I recommend coloring only small portions
of a batch for the project you are working
on. The CP will hold up for months if
sealed well, but does dry out faster after
it is colored.
A tiny dab of tube oil paints is the
preferred method to color if you want
to have a translucent clay. It does not
dry out the clay as some water based paints
and colorings might.
Using chalk pastels is another method.
Sand off powder from the chalks onto a
small bit of cold porcelain and knead
until the color is blended.
Acrylic paints can also be used for painting
the flowers where a deeper color is required.
This may dry the clay out a bit, particularly
over time. It will also give an opaque
appearance.
Food colorings can also be used, however.
the disadvantage with the liquid food
coloring is that it gives a solid, all
over color and it shortens the working
time.
For a more realistic shading of the flowers,
try dusting the dry flowers with powdered
food dye (same as used in cake decorating)
and then hold in the steam of a kettle.
The porcelain will absorb the color and
looks much more natural.