Craig Martell on sun 6 jan 02
Hello Anne:
I think it helps to use the softest clay possible to make plates and
platters. Well, this works for me but I can't guarantee it for anyone else.
I control the thickness of the plate by opening and flattening the centered
clay with the side of my hand from the wrist to the end of my little
finger. In other words, I use the side of my right hand as I would a
rib. I place my left hand on top of the right to apply pressure to the
clay and spread it out to the desired diameter. The thickness that I want
is set at the very center of the clay disc and I continue to use my hand to
even this out to the rim. To finish the inner part of the plates, I place
my hand palm down in the center and move clay outward with my
fingertips. This is good for making small adjustments. Once this is done,
I push under the outer edge of the disc with my left thumb to gather the
clay into a thick coil and throw the rim from this. Then I throw the rim
flat and clean everything up with a rib.
You asked about pugs too. Your thoughts on weight as it relates to the
water/raw materials ratio are correct. The only thing I could recommend is
letting softer clay stiffen to the correct consistency before you prepare
it for throwing. You'd be in the ball park and that's usually good
enough. Laser beam precision is an elusive goal in the world of studio
pottery and that's best left to industry. Just my opinion though.
I might mention that I make everything from two porcelain bodies. I mix
the clay here at the studio so consistency isn't a problem for me. I weigh
out raw materials and dry batch them in the mixer. Then I add water by
weight with vee gum t blunged in. I age the clay without deairing and run
clay thru the pugmill and deair just before use. I cut pugs to size for
throwing, as you do, and almost never weigh.
regards, Craig Martell in Oregon
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