The simplicity and appeal of pottery throwing cannot be overstated. The sound of the wheel turning, the feeling of dirt and clay between one’s fingers, and the ability to take a lump of mud and create something useful or beautiful is enthralling. However, as with any art form, pottery throwing has its complications. Avoiding common mistakes in pottery throwing is the key to mastering the craft. These include improper clay preparation (wedging and moisture content) and uneven pressure while shaping the clay on the wheel. In this article, you will find the essential things that will help you avoid these mistakes and learn how to correct the situation if they have transpired already.
Essential Techniques for Successful Pottery Throwing
Here are some techniques for successful pottery throwing to undo the mistakes!
1. Master Wedging: Ensure Clay Integrity
One aspect that should be given more attention is wedging, where you knead your clay. However, immersing clay in water may cause an explosion as air pockets are trapped in the clay when it is inside the kiln. Wedging can be thought of as folding the clay in half many times with all the air bubbles squeezed on each fold. The density should be even and compact, with no cracks or air bubbles within the cement structure.
2. Center Your Clay: Achieve Stability
Centering your clay on the wheel is paramount. An off-center mound will become increasingly unstable as you raise the walls, ultimately collapsing. Focus on creating a symmetrical cone shape with a smooth, even surface. Use your thumbs to gently pressure the clay downwards and inwards, refining the center until it spins.
Centering requires a delicate balance of pressure and observation. With your non-dominant hand, firmly support the base of the cone against the wheel head. Use your dominant hand to apply gentle, downward pressure directly over the center of the cone.
3. Maintain Optimal Moisture: Balance Clay Consistency
Clay that has been dried will be stiff and relatively rigid to model, while clay that has been exposed to too much water will be soft and quickly disintegrate. The balancing act is significant in getting it right. In the ideal case, the clay should be slightly cool, and a weak impression should be created when compressing it with the fingertip. It’s also essential to moisten the clay frequently by misting it when throwing.
4. Control Pressure and Speed: Achieve Precision
Throwing on the wheel requires a delicate balance between pressure and speed. Applying too much pressure can cause the clay to become uneven or collapse. Conversely, not applying enough pressure can lead to wobbly walls. Experiment with different speeds and find a rhythm that allows you to maintain control while shaping the clay.
Pressure application should vary depending on the stage of throwing. Use firm, even pressure to force the clay into a symmetrical cone when centering. As you raise the walls, use a lighter touch, emphasizing shaping and smoothing the clay.
5. Correct Uneven Walls: Tame the Wobble
Uneven walls are a common problem for beginners. They often occur due to uneven pressure or improper centering. To gently fix a wobble, use a trimming tool or a damp sponge to remove excess clay from the thicker side. Work your way around the pot, constantly checking for symmetry.
6. Repair Cracks: Mend Damaged Clay
Cracks happen! Its essence lies in the swiftness of actions. For minor cracks, use thin objects such as a needle or a craft knife to slightly expand the crack before applying the slip, such as a watery clay paste. Wipe the area to be incised over with a damp sponge. For broader cracks, one approach is to “coil,” which will involve feeding thin ropes of clay across the crack to be leveled on the surface.
7. Salvage Collapsed Forms: Rescue Your Pottery
A collapsing form can be disheartening, but fear not! If the clay is still somewhat wet, you can salvage it. Wet your hands and gently “re-center” the clay, pushing the walls back up and compressing them together. Unfortunately, it might be a lost cause if the clay is too dry.
If the clay is salvageable, you should thin the walls slightly to regain stability. Use trimming tools or your fingers to remove excess clay carefully. Once re-centered and thinned, you can begin reshaping the form as desired.
8. Embrace Imperfections: Celebrate Wabi-Sabi
Sometimes, the pot might turn slightly off-center or lop-sided even if you tried to avoid it. Don’t despair! Every single grain of sand has its uniqueness, and in ceramics, the concept of “Wabi-Sabi” means appreciating the irregularities of imperfectly created handmade items. You could leave the pot the way it is or use it as a one-of-a-kind pottery.
9. Transform Glaze Mishaps: Turn Disasters into Delights
One of the most challenging aspects of pottery is working with glazes. There is always a risk of crazing (the formation of small surface cracks in the glaze firing) or crawling (the premature separation of the glaze and the clay body during firing). So, here are some great solutions for both glazing mishaps!
| Mishaps | Solutions | Surprise Twists |
| Crazing | Test glazes at different temperature | Layer glazes for a “crackle” effect! |
| Crawling | Clean clay and thin glaze | Embrace the “lava lamp” texture! You can also try pre-mixed crawling glaze. |
However, while throwing pottery, always use a high-quality glaze. The Penguin Pottery Mid Fire Glaze is an excellent choice to prevent crazing or crawling issues. Besides, bisque fire is used at different temperature ranges to ensure compatibility with the clay body.
Nevertheless, sometimes, unusual glaze interactions surprise you and yield breathtaking outcomes!
10. Practice Consistently: Refine Your Skills
The most important secret to mastering pottery throwing is simply practice. The more you throw, the more comfortable you’ll become with the techniques, allowing you to refine your skills and develop your unique style.
Maintaining proper body posture is crucial for applying controlled pressure. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, keep your core engaged, and back straight. Lean slightly forward for better leverage while keeping your elbows close to your body. Embrace every throw, successful or not, as a valuable learning experience.
Conclusion
Pottery throwing is a rewarding process that presents different hurdles and exciting victories. Reading the tips and techniques on how to avoid and correct mistakes will help you on your journey to making aesthetically pleasing and useful pottery. Just a reminder: the beauty is in the mess, the learning process is just as important as the outcome, and most importantly, remember to have fun while getting your hands dirty!
