Unlock one’s potential with pro-level pottery-throwing strategies designed to elevate one’s craft. Whether a novice or an experienced potter, mastering these techniques will enhance skills, enabling the creation of more intricate and polished pieces. Discover tips on wheel control, clay consistency, and finishing touches to transform pottery. Embrace these strategies and watch one’s pottery throwing reach new heights of excellence.
9 Popular Strategies for Pottery Throwing
Here are some of the strategies that one can look at:
1. Throwing off the Hump
This technique involves throwing a large clay cylinder and shaping it into multiple pieces, which is ideal for creating mugs, bowls, or vases from a single mound. ReArt’s Natural Air Dry Modelling Clay is a good-quality clay that one can use for advanced-level pottery throwing. However, the success hinges on excellent centering and control while throwing. Perfect centering ensures consistent wall thickness throughout the cylinder, requiring focus and practice. Once centered, throw a tall clay cylinder, maintaining even pressure and wheel control for uniform thickness.
Think of this as creating a blank clay canvas, ready for a transformation. With a steady hand and a sharp wire tool, section the cylinder into pieces based on the desired outcome. For example, a taller cylinder might yield three mugs, while a wider one could produce nesting bowls. Each section is refined on the wheel into its final form, where creativity takes over. Refine the walls, add decorative elements, or create slight variations within the set, maintaining a sense of uniformity.
2. Multi-Wall Throwing
This advanced technique involves throwing two or more sections of clay and meticulously joining them. It allows for creating double-walled vessels or incorporating contrasting textures and colors. First, plan the design, considering each section’s desired size, shape, and wall thickness. Wedge the clay thoroughly for proper consistency. Center and throw the first section, shaping it to the desired form and thickness. Let it stiffen to a “leather-hard” stage, where it’s still pliable but holds its shape.
Next, center and throw the second section, possibly using different colored clays for a visually striking design. Aim for a slightly smaller diameter than the first section for easier joining. Both sections should be at the leather-hard stage. Using scoring and slip (liquid clay), roughen the surfaces where the sections meet to create a stronger bond. Align and press them together gently, ensuring a seamless connection. Once joined, smooth out irregularities and refine the overall form.
3. Altered Wheel Throwing
This approach involves manipulating a thrown form to create a unique shape using faceting, coiling, and carving techniques. Begin by throwing a basic form on the wheel, such as a cylinder, bowl, or mug, and allow it to reach a leather-hard stage where it’s firm but pliable. Visualize and plan the final altered form, considering geometric facets, intricate patterns, or additional coils and attachments.
Employ faceting with trimming tools to create geometric shapes, add coils for handles or decorative elements, carve intricate designs, and pinch to form unique textures. Once alterations are complete, use trimming tools to smooth rough edges and refine the overall form, ensuring a polished finish. After drying, the piece is ready for glazing and firing, with surface modifications further accentuated by contrasting glazes or textural additions. This method transforms the initial thrown form into a distinctive, personalized piece.
4. Throwing on the Rib
This technique utilizes a curved wooden tool called a “rib” to smooth and refine the walls of a thrown piece while it’s still on the wheel. Different rib shapes serve various purposes: a curved rib is ideal for smoothing and shaping curved forms like bowls, while a straight rib helps achieve clean, straight lines on mugs or vases. Lightly dampen the rib to prevent sticking to the clay.
Hold the rib against the inside or outside of the thrown form, applying gentle pressure as you rotate the piece on the wheel. The rib smooths out imperfections, removes throwing lines, and achieves a consistent wall thickness. Use a back-and-forth motion for optimal results. For curved forms, utilize the curved section of the rib to gently press against the inside of the form, shaping the overall curve. For straight-sided forms, use the straight edge of the rib to achieve clean lines.
5. Throwing with Molds
Throwing with molds, though seemingly contradictory, is an advanced technique that allows for creating specific shapes or intricate details. Begin by choosing the appropriate mold for the desired design, considering the complexity of the design, ease of use, and compatibility with clay type. Ensure the mold is clean and debris-free; some may require a mold release agent to prevent sticking.
Center a lump of clay on the wheel, adjusting the amount based on the mold’s size. Depending on the mold’s design, throw the clay into a cylinder or cone shape. Carefully press the thrown clay form into the mold, applying even pressure to ensure complete contact with all details. Use trimming tools to remove any excess clay spilling over the mold. Once the clay reaches the leather-hard stage, gently remove the piece from the mold, using specific techniques to avoid damage. This method combines precision and creativity for unique, detailed pieces.
6. Throwing on the Shoulder Wheel
Throwing on the shoulder wheel, also known as hump throwing, is a pottery technique specifically designed for creating large-scale forms. Unlike the standard pottery wheel, the shoulder wheel features a rotating head at a higher level, allowing potters to throw and manipulate a larger mass of clay comfortably. This technique is ideal for crafting expansive vases, urns, or large sculptural pieces.
7. Throwing Triangular Forms
Throwing triangular vessels challenges potters to maintain clean lines and sharp angles while keeping the clay centered. Throwing triangular forms in pottery presents a captivating challenge for potters seeking to venture beyond conventional shapes.
This technique involves manipulating the clay on the wheel to create vessels with three distinct sides and defined angles. While throwing on the wheel typically focuses on achieving round and smooth forms, throwing triangular forms breaks free from this tradition, opening doors for unique geometric pieces and artistic exploration.
8. Throwing Off-Center
Deliberately throwing off-center allows potters to create unique, organic shapes and forms. This approach can lead to unexpected and visually exciting results, ideal for breaking away from traditional pottery aesthetics. Uneven rims (sometimes differing by 20-30% in thickness), asymmetrical curves, or intentionally warped structures can all be achieved through controlled off-center throwing. These variations can add a sense of movement, dynamism, and individuality to the piece.
We’ll now look at some of the unique properties of this strategy in this table:
| Properties | Overview |
| Color Contrast | The technique can be used strategically to highlight the unevenness by allowing glazes with high pooling tendencies to settle in thicker sections, creating a visually striking contrast. |
| Functional Applications | Slight off-centering can enhance comfort in mug handles and create a more organic spout for pouring vessels. |
| Historical Use | It was seen in ancient Japanese pottery traditions like Bizen-ware. |
| Speed Throwing | Experienced potters can utilize controlled off-centering as a time-saving technique. |
9. Porcelain Throwing
Porcelain throwing presents a unique challenge for potters. Unlike stoneware or earthenware clays, porcelain boasts a finer particle size, resulting in less plasticity. It translates to less give and a higher risk of cracking if worked for too long. To compensate, porcelain throwing demands more precise control, quicker shaping techniques, and a focus on maintaining even moisture content throughout the clay.
Conclusion
Mastering these advanced wheel-throwing techniques unlocks creative possibilities, allowing potters to elevate their craft and explore new artistic expressions through innovative shapes, textures, and detailed designs.
