Creating porcelain sculptures requires meticulous attention to detail, especially during the drying and firing stages where warping and cracking are common challenges. Artists employ several proven techniques to ensure their delicate works remain intact.

1. Slow and Even Drying: Rapid drying causes uneven shrinkage, leading to cracks. Artists cover sculptures with plastic or damp cloths to control moisture evaporation, often drying pieces over weeks.

2. Proper Clay Preparation: Wedging clay thoroughly removes air bubbles that expand during firing. Many artists mix grog (fired clay particles) into their clay body to improve structural stability.

3. Strategic Hollowing: Solid clay cores trap moisture and explode in the kiln. Artists create uniform wall thickness (typically 1/4 to 1/2 inch) and add ventilation holes for even drying.

4. Kiln Mastery:

- Bisque firing at lower temperatures (around 1800°F) before glaze firing

- Using kiln posts and stilts to prevent contact with shelves

- Programming slow temperature ramps (especially through the quartz inversion point at 1063°F)

5. Support Systems: Complex sculptures often require temporary clay supports or wire armatures that burn away during firing. Some artists use ceramic fiber blankets to cushion pieces during critical drying phases.

6. Glaze Compatibility: Mismatched glaze and clay shrinkage rates cause cracks. Artists test small tiles first and adjust glaze formulations to match the clay body's thermal expansion.

By combining these methods with careful observation of each piece's unique characteristics, ceramic artists successfully navigate the treacherous journey from wet clay to finished porcelain masterpiece. Experience remains the best teacher - most professionals keep detailed firing logs to refine their process over time.