What stage of clay refers to clay that has completely dried but has not yet been fired?

The stage of clay that refers to clay that has completely dried but has not yet been fired is known as bone dry. At this stage, all the moisture has evaporated from the clay, making it very fragile and susceptible to breakage. Bone dry clay is ready to be fired in a kiln, which is an essential step in the ceramics process to transform the clay into a hard, durable form.

In contrast, slip refers to a mixture of clay and water that is used for joining pieces of clay or for decorative purposes. Bisque is the stage of clay after it has been fired for the first time, which strengthens it and makes it less fragile than bone dry clay. Lastly, the plastic stage describes fresh, workable clay that contains enough moisture to be shaped and molded easily. Understanding these stages is crucial for anyone working with clay, as each stage has different properties and challenges.