Omar Khalid
Cold porcelain is a non-edible modelling material that dries in air and is commonly used for crafting and sculpting. It is made from cornstarch and white glue, and can also include small amounts of glycerol and oils. The material behaves like plasticine due to its composition, consistency, softness, and malleability. However, it is not a plastic as it dries and becomes stronger and harder, resembling porcelain. Cold porcelain is also not waterproof and requires protection from moisture and humidity.
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What You'll Learn
Cold porcelain's composition and ingredients
Cold porcelain is a crafting material that is not made from porcelain despite what its name suggests. It is commonly made from cornstarch and white glue, with a small amount of glycerine, baby or cooking oil, or facial cream added to the mixture. The ratio is typically 1 cup of cornstarch to 1 cup of polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue with 2 teaspoons of oil per cup of cornstarch. These oils are added to make the mixture smoother and reduce the likelihood of cracking as the paste dries.
The cold porcelain mixture is made by heating the ingredients in a microwave or on a stove until it reaches the consistency of stiff mashed potatoes and can be formed into a ball. It is then allowed to cool and kneaded and stretched until it forms a smooth elastic paste. The paste can be coloured with food colouring, watercolours, acrylic paints, or powdered paint pigments.
Once the paste is ready, it can be shaped into the desired form. Cold porcelain is self-hardening and will dry and harden when exposed to air. The drying time depends on the size of the sculpture, the temperature, and the humidity of the air. After it dries, it becomes stronger and similar to porcelain.
Because most of the ingredients are biodegradable, preservatives such as lemon juice or sodium benzoate are sometimes used to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. Cold porcelain is also not entirely waterproof, so a waterproof acrylic varnish may be needed to protect the final product from moisture or humidity.
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Similarities to plasticine
Cold porcelain is a crafting material made from cornstarch and white glue, with small amounts of oils and glycerol. It is commonly used for at-home crafting and sculpting due to its ease of use and air-drying properties.
Cold porcelain and plasticine share several similarities in terms of composition, consistency, softness, and malleability. Both materials can be easily shaped and moulded by hand or with simple tools, making them versatile for various crafting projects.
The consistency of cold porcelain is similar to plasticine, and as a result, the two materials share similar working tools. Plastic, metal, and plastic stilettos, scissors, rolling pins, and cutters are commonly used with both substances. This similarity in consistency also means that techniques used for sculpting plasticine can often be directly applied to cold porcelain.
Both materials are also highly malleable and can be blended to create multicoloured effects. Cold porcelain, like plasticine, can be softened by mixing with water if it becomes too dry. This flexibility allows for a wide range of creative possibilities, as the shape of the material can be adjusted even while it is drying.
The softness of cold porcelain and plasticine also means that they can be easily cut and shaped without the need for complex tools or machinery. This accessibility is part of what makes these materials so popular for at-home crafting projects.
In conclusion, cold porcelain and plasticine share many similarities in terms of their composition, consistency, softness, and malleability. These similarities provide both materials with a high degree of versatility and accessibility, making them popular choices for crafting and sculpting projects.
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Cold porcelain's drying process
Cold porcelain is an air-drying modelling material that does not require baking. It is made with cornstarch/cornflour and polyvinyl acetate glue (also known as PVA or white glue) and dries to a lightweight, stone-like texture.
Cold porcelain dries very quickly when exposed to air and dries from the outside in. Therefore, it is important to wrap any unused cold porcelain tightly in cling film, place it in a plastic bag, and then put it into an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. Even after it has been wrapped in cling film, cold porcelain should be used quickly as it has a shelf life of about a month. If frozen, it can be kept indefinitely.
When cold porcelain dries, it becomes semi-transparent and translucent. Therefore, it is recommended to add a small amount of white acrylic paint or white dry paint pigment (titanium white) to the mixture to make it more opaque. The colour can be added to cold porcelain by kneading in a small amount of paint, food colouring, or colouring agents like powdered paint pigments. However, it is important to note that coloured cold porcelain will not keep as long, and the colours may darken after drying.
Once the cold porcelain has been shaped and dried, it can be painted with acrylic paint or sealed with a waterproof varnish to stop moisture from getting in.
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Painting and colouring techniques
Cold porcelain is a crafting material that can be tinted or painted using various techniques and colourants. It is made from cornstarch and white glue, with small amounts of oils and glycerol sometimes added. The material behaves like plasticine due to its composition, consistency, softness, and malleability.
- Using paint: Cold porcelain can be painted with acrylic craft paints, allowing you to create any colour you desire using the basic five colours: black, white, red, blue, and yellow. You can add a few drops of paint directly to the cold porcelain paste and mix well before moulding, or paint the surface of the porcelain after it has dried.
- Adding colourants: Food colouring, liquid or paste, can be kneaded into the cold porcelain to create a tinted effect. Acrylic paint can also be used as a colourant, added directly to the moist clay. To achieve a more translucent effect when dry, food colourants or powdered paint pigments can be used.
- Creating shades: Cold porcelain shades beautifully, so you can mix shaded colours and apply dry-brushed tints to almost-dry clay to create delicate shading.
- Protecting your work: As cold porcelain absorbs slight amounts of moisture, it may need to be protected from humidity once dry. This can be done by using a waterproof acrylic varnish or a clear acrylic top coat. Displaying items in protective glass or acrylic cases with silica gel can also help to keep them safe from dust and accidental damage.
- Mixing and storing: When mixing colours, always add a small amount of colourant at a time and keep track of the amount added, as coloured cold porcelain does not keep as long and may turn mouldy sooner. Store unused cold porcelain in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.
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Storage and preservation
Cold porcelain is a crafting material made from cornstarch and white glue, with small amounts of oils and glycerol sometimes added. It is not made from porcelain, despite its name. It behaves similarly to plasticine due to its composition, consistency, softness, and malleability. It is often used for at-home crafting and sculpting as it dries when exposed to air.
Cold porcelain should be stored in an airtight container or plastic bag in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. It should not be stored in the refrigerator as it will harden too quickly to be used again. It can be frozen, but this may depend on the brand of PVA glue used. It is recommended to wrap the porcelain paste in cling film or plastic wrap first.
Preservatives can be added to extend the shelf life and prevent mould. These include witch hazel, lemon juice, citric acid powder, oil of cloves, and sodium benzoate. However, preservatives will not protect against insect infestations, so it is important to keep cold porcelain away from other art pieces that could be damaged by insects.
Once dried, cold porcelain can be protected from moisture or humidity with a waterproof acrylic varnish or a thorough coating of acrylic paint. It should not be placed in humid or wet environments.
Unused coloured cold porcelain can be wrapped in cling film and stored, but it is important to note that some colouring agents can reduce shelf life by drying out the porcelain more quickly.
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Frequently asked questions
Cold porcelain is a non-edible crafting material made from cornstarch and white glue. It is used for sculpting and modelling, and dries when exposed to air.
No, cold porcelain is not a type of plastic. However, due to its composition, consistency, softness, and malleability, it behaves similarly to plasticine.
Cold porcelain can be made by mixing cornstarch and white glue in a ratio of 1:1, along with small amounts of oils, glycerol, and preservatives to prevent mould. The mixture is then heated and kneaded to form a smooth, elastic paste, which can be used for crafting.
Because of its similarity to materials like plasticine, cold porcelain is best worked with tools made of plastic, metal, or a combination of both. Suitable tools include stilettos, scissors, rolling pins, and cutters.
Yes, colour can be added to cold porcelain by mixing powdered tempera paints or acrylic paints directly into the mixture. Alternatively, it can be painted with acrylic paint after it has dried.
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