Here is a tutorial that will delight people who like modeling without having to pay a fortune. Cold porcelain or corn dough is a modeling clay that dries in the air, that can be colored in the mass or painted, varnished… and especially that can be made from A to Z in no time with very few ingredients. It is called cold porcelain because once dry, it becomes translucent and lets the light pass through.
Corn dough or cold porcelain is used to make creative shaped objects such as small characters or costume jewelry. It is a very malleable, non-toxic, and moisture-resistant paste. You can make it yourself using vinyl glue and some vegetable products. Once it is ready, you just have to shape it as you wish. Your little creations will air dry quickly. Follow this guide to get your cold porcelain.
Making cold porcelain with glue
Ingredients
To make cold porcelain, you will need cornstarch and white wood glue. The other ingredients are used to soften the dough and prevent mold from forming. Here are the ingredients to gather:
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- 150g of cornstarch
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- 150ml of vinyl glue
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- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
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- 2 tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice.
Realization
Prepare a pan or container that does not heat up if you use a microwave oven. Pour the cornstarch into your container first, then add the white glue and mix. Next, add the olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice in succession. Mix everything with a spatula until you obtain a homogeneous paste.
Once the mixture is lump-free, heat it over low heat on a stovetop. Keep stirring with a spatula for about 10 minutes. You will notice that it gradually comes away from the sides of the pan. When the consistency becomes slightly grainy, you can remove it from the heat.
If you choose to heat the mixture in the microwave, you must remove it from the oven every 15 seconds to stir it. Each time, try to beat the lumps with your spatula. When you get a block of dough, your cold porcelain is ready.
Making cold porcelain without glue
Ingredients
It is also possible to make cold porcelain without using wood glue. In this case, the main component is still cornstarch, but you use water instead of glue. Here is the list of ingredients needed:
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- 100g of cornstarch
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- 150ml water
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- 200g baking soda.
Realization
Prepare a non-stick pot and put the cornstarch and baking soda in it. Mix these ingredients with a tablespoon, then pour the water into the pot to homogenize the mixture.
Place the filled pot on your stove or stovetop to heat the mixture over medium heat. Continue to stir the mixture vigorously until it forms a lump of dough that pulls away from the sides of the pot. It takes about 15 minutes to cook.
Let your modeling clay cool down; it should be perfectly malleable without sticking to your hands to facilitate the realization of your art objects. In case the clay is too stiff or too sticky, simply reheat it until it becomes firmer or softer.
Finishing cold porcelain
Once the dough has cooled sufficiently, knead it for about 15 minutes. Then, wrap the block in baking paper so that no air gets in. Then let your cold porcelain rest in a cool, dry place.
After 24 hours, you can use it. If it is not firm enough, add a little olive oil. And if it is too sticky, adjust its consistency with a little cornstarch. You can tint it with ochre or oil paint if it is perfect. Now you can use it to express your creativity.
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