Proper positioning of your left arm and the application of your upper body weight are essential techniques in the pottery throwing process. These steps help in stabilizing and centring the clay on the wheel.
Arm Placement: Tuck your left arm into your waist to create a stable base. This positioning helps in minimizing unnecessary movement and provides a firm foundation for applying pressure. Rest your forearm on the plastic wheel tray, aligning it with the lump of clay. This helps in maintaining a steady and controlled pressure on the clay.
Hand Positioning: Position your forearm so that it lines up with the lump of clay. The goal is to have the ball of your thumb and the base of your palm pushing in a straight line that intersects the middle of the lump of clay. Ensure that your hand is not too far to the left or right but perfectly aligned for effective pressure application.
Applying Pressure: Lean your upper body weight forward slightly onto your braced left arm. This helps in transferring your weight effectively onto the clay, providing the necessary force for centring and shaping without exerting too much effort from your hand alone.
Using Water or Slip: Keep the clay lubricated throughout the process with water or slip to prevent your hands from sticking to the clay. If you feel any friction, it's time to add more water, either with a cupped hand or with a sponge that you can dip into the water and squeeze out onto the clay.
Sealing the Base of the Clay: As you push in with your left palm, use your little finger to firmly squeeze around the base of the clay. This creates a seal against the metal wheel head, ensuring that the clay is securely attached and preventing it from spreading outward.
Introducing Vertical Pressure: With your left arm braced and applying horizontal pressure, introduce your right hand to apply some vertical pressure. Use the side of your right hand to push down directly over the middle of the clay, balancing the pressure applied by your left arm. Shape the clay into a disc by applying even pressure from both the side (with your left hand) and the top (with your right hand). Avoid applying too much pressure from one direction to prevent the clay from becoming too conical or flattened.
Adjusting Techniques as Needed: Remember that every potter may have slightly different hand positions due to the variations in hand sizes and shapes. It's important to find a technique that feels comfortable and effective for you, even if it means slightly adjusting the standard positions.