Have you ever been tempted to pick up a lump of clay while out on a walk, and take it home to see if you can use it to make something? Commercial clays have been formulated and blended to result in specific properties that are consistent and reliable. Of course, this is vital if potters are to produce repeatable results. Using wild clay – in its natural, raw state – can and does work, but understanding the basics of what different clays are made of, how and why they behave as they do, and what you can do to improve their workability
