Can large pieces of slipware be dried without a kiln? [closed]

Question

I have a clay (plasticine) positive of a human figure standing 5' tall

• Next step is making a rubber mold for the lost wax process and a bronze positive
• May I use the rubber mold for slip after the wax positive is made, plaster is to fragile and not at all charming
• Is Raku the answer for drying, if I can make a slip positive
• Would someone discuss the basics here? Any pointers are welcomed, if they reference the project!
• The actual mold has multiple pieces that will be joined to form a container into which the slip may be poured and later poured out when the piece reaches the desired thickness.
• Suggestions on thickness and etc.
• Ideas other than plaster or slip

Answer 1

Making a piece out of ceramics, you should use plaster for the mold as it draws out the moisture from the clay slip, and you will not need to wait a long time to get the thickness of your clay. If you use a rubber mold, the moisture has to leave the clay through the air, which is very slow.

Raku is a way to fire the clay, so unless you want a hardened piece out of the clay, I would not fire it raku style or otherwise.

If you are wanting to make a bronze piece, why use the ceramic as part? You can make the finished piece in several parts of bronze or clay. The pieces can be combined afterward; molded clay glued with slip, or welding or soldering the bronze.

Another way would be a breakable mold for the entire piece, where you break the complete work out of the mold in one piece.