search  current discussion  categories  techniques - throwing 

throwing large with small biceps

updated wed 11 jul 01

 

Janet Kaiser on wed 11 jul 01


Last time we visited David and Margaret Frith, David
was throwing the second half of a very large vase. He
had thrown the bottom half the previous day and was
adding the top half when we arrived.

He was doing the usual: First throw bottom and leave to
harden up overnight. Throw top and add onto bottom,
giving a final pull up from the join once you are sure
it is well attached. This was with about 40 lb. clay
(total) and at least three feet finished height. I did
not feel the clay, but it looked softish but not in the
least sticky. Of course David is pretty tall, so not a
problem for him. Although only working the top half,
even a smaller person could cope by just standing on a
crate?

Of course you have to know what shape the finished
vessel will be before you start and I could never quite
get it right, although I would keep trying. I was not
good enough as a thrower to get the bottom done and the
top separately the next day, even with the aid of
callipers and designs/drawings. Always looked wrong or
unbalanced. Not to mention the join, which usually
bulged. Not proficient enough, like many larger coiled
pots I see, when I can tell where work stopped and then
restarted later.

Eckhard had never seen a two part pot thrown before, so
he was fascinated watching David...

It just made me green with envy...! :-)

Janet Kaiser
The Chapel of Art . Capel Celfyddyd
HOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL POTTERS' PATH
Criccieth LL52 0EA, GB-Wales Tel: (01766) 523570
E-mail: postbox@the-coa.org.uk
WEBSITE: http://www.the-coa.org.uk

----- Original Message -----

> So, soft clay, what does this do to the ability to
throw large pieces? Can
> the clay stand? I threw twenty five pounds yesterday
that was quite stiff
> and I'm hurting today. Being quite small I'd like a
solution to a half hour
> of centering and coning but still throwing large.
That and not having to
> stand on my tippy toes to reach to bottom (I may have
to live with this
> one). chris