Aperçu des sections

  • Introduction

    • After a lump of clay has been centered on the potter's wheel, it must be opened up and the base formed. This tutorial will discuss this opening up procedure as well as showing you what to do when things go wrong. Much like this video, it goes over lots of little details about how and why certain things are done. In this detailed guide, we're going over one thing, and that's how to open up the lump of clay and form the base. A centered lump is our starting point.

◄Step 4: Forming the Base
►Step 6: Dealing with Lines and Adjusting Thickness

  • Step 5: Preventing Cracks and Ensuring Stability

    • 5.1
      As I pull the clay back towards me, I squeeze in less with the hands on the outside and I focus the pressure on my index finger and thumb, which glide over the base horizontally, forcing the walls of the pot out.

      image

    • 5.2
      This is all done in one gradual, even motion. I don't rush it or move my fingers sporadically.

    • 5.3
      If I feel any friction whatsoever, I'll quickly ladle in some water, as it's when the clay sticks to your hands that it is drawn off center.

    • 5.4
      If you do end up with lines like this, they're easily fixed.

    • 5.5
      I use my bendy thumbs and a finger, which push together and glide over the surface, compressing the base and neatening it.

      image

    • 5.6
      To do the exact same job, you can also use the pads of your fingers or even the flat edge of a rubber kidney like so, which leaves it nice and flat.

◄Step 4: Forming the Base
►Step 6: Dealing with Lines and Adjusting Thickness