Making a clay bowl
Topic outline
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Centring the clay is one of the more difficult concepts to grasp as a beginner. To master it will require practice and for you to use your body in an efficient manner and relaxed manner. Start with soft clay and weigh 2 kg. Then wedge until the clay is homogenized. I usually count to 75 while wedging. Then attach it to the wheel head and center. If your clay is not very soft, try adding a small amount of water to the bag a day or two before you use it.
- Begin by wedging the clay. This process is similar to kneading dough and is essential to remove air bubbles and create a uniform consistency in the clay.
- Sit down at the wheel and place your lump of clay in the centre of the wheel head. Give it a firm tap to ensure it sticks to the wheel but doesn't get squashed.
- With the wheel spinning slowly, wet your hands and the clay thoroughly. This prevents the clay from sticking to your hands and makes it easier to shape.
- With the wheel spinning at a medium speed, use your hands to form the clay into a cone shape, then press it down into a flat, centred mound. This process, known as coning and centring, helps to align the clay particles and ensures that the clay is completely centred on the wheel.
- Place your elbows on your thighs for stability. Press your palms firmly into the clay, one hand on top of the other, to force the clay upwards into a cone shape.
- Once the cone is formed, use your hands to press the clay downwards and outwards, returning it to a centred, more flattened shape. Repeat this process several times.
- To check if the clay is centred, lightly rest a fingertip on the top of the clay while the wheel is spinning. If you feel a wobble or see your finger moving in a circular pattern, the clay is not yet centred. Continue the coning and centring process until this wobble is eliminated.
- Once the clay is centred, slow down the wheel and use a sponge to remove any excess water from the surface of the clay. Your clay is now ready to be opened and shaped into the desired form.
Centering clay requires patience and practice. You are encouraged to your time with this process, as a well-centered piece of clay is foundational to successful wheel-throwing pottery.
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