Earl Krueger on sat 1 nov 03
I find that on my first pull, and sometimes the second, my outside
finger tends to gouge out clay rather than just move it. This is
especially true on the lower half of the pot where the applied
pressure is greatest. If I back off on the pressure then I don't get
the height I want in the desirable 3-4 pulls.
I use the tips of my middle fingers for pulling having never been able
to get the knack of the knuckle approach. On a mug sized pot I would
guess that I end up with maybe a tablespoon or two of stiff clay stuck
on the side of my finger at the end of the first pull.
I'm curious. Is this just bad technique on my part or does this happen
to everybody?
Thanks.
Earl...
Bothell, WA, USA
Steve Slatin on sun 2 nov 03
Earl --
This is the kind of friendly advice most people don't want to hear, so
feel free to totally ignore the fact I sent it.
The knuckle approach isn't just a standard approach, it's also a
solution
to some common problems. Some people's hands and fingers have slightly
different proportions, though, and the "fold your thumb and wrap the
index
finger around it" knuckle doesn't work. Or limited joint mobility makes
it
impossible. Or shortened tendons or arthritis makes it painful.
Don't give up on the knuckle. Find some way of folding that or another
finger so you can get a broad piece of flesh onto the outside of a pot.
It gives you a huge mechanical advantage over throwing with fingertips,
and because you're lifting over a broader space, it largely eliminates
the
gouges. Even if you have to trail a fingertip or two on your outside
hand,
it'll still be to your advantage overall. And you won't put such
pressure on your joints; it's better for you. I remember seeing a
potter with mobility problems throw using the entire length of the index
finger, bracing it with the other three fingers and tucking his thumb
out of the way. It worked.
The broader pressure area on the outside of the pot makes first-throw
lift
much greater.
piedpotterhamelin@COMCAST.NET on sun 2 nov 03
Although I have seen the knuckle positioned in the three to six o'clock positions, I generally keep and instruct in the four o'clock. I have witnessed individuals hook into the clay with the tip of the bent index finger if they are above the two o'clock position. This knuckle approach also allows the tucking into the hand of a damp sponge so that water can be squeezed onto the pot, if needed.
Rick
--
"Many a wiser men than I hath
gone to pot." 1649
> Earl --
>
> This is the kind of friendly advice most people don't want to hear, so
> feel free to totally ignore the fact I sent it.
>
> The knuckle approach isn't just a standard approach, it's also a
> solution
> to some common problems. Some people's hands and fingers have slightly
> different proportions, though, and the "fold your thumb and wrap the
> index
> finger around it" knuckle doesn't work. Or limited joint mobility makes
> it
> impossible. Or shortened tendons or arthritis makes it painful.
>
> Don't give up on the knuckle. Find some way of folding that or another
> finger so you can get a broad piece of flesh onto the outside of a pot.
> It gives you a huge mechanical advantage over throwing with fingertips,
> and because you're lifting over a broader space, it largely eliminates
> the
> gouges. Even if you have to trail a fingertip or two on your outside
> hand,
> it'll still be to your advantage overall. And you won't put such
> pressure on your joints; it's better for you. I remember seeing a
> potter with mobility problems throw using the entire length of the index
> finger, bracing it with the other three fingers and tucking his thumb
> out of the way. It worked.
>
> The broader pressure area on the outside of the pot makes first-throw
> lift
> much greater.
>
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Susan Setley on sun 2 nov 03
In a message dated 11/2/03 5:08:48 PM, piedpotterhamelin@COMCAST.NET writes:
<< Although I have seen the knuckle positioned in the three to six o'clock
positions, I generally keep and instruct in the four o'clock. I have witnessed
individuals hook into the clay with the tip of the bent index finger if they
are above the two o'clock position. This knuckle approach also allows the
tucking into the hand of a damp sponge so that water can be squeezed onto the pot,
if needed.
Rick
>>
For some reason I never had much control with my knuckle, but using two
fingers and a sponge I have good control.
I have tried, multiple times, with the knuckle thing. It doesn't feel right
and never did to me. Don't know why.
Earl Krueger on sun 2 nov 03
On Sunday, November 2, 2003, at 12:06 PM, Steve Slatin wrote:
> The knuckle approach isn't just a standard approach, it's also a
> solution ... so you can get a broad piece of flesh onto the outside of
> a pot.
> It gives you a huge mechanical advantage over throwing with fingertips,
> ... And you won't put such pressure on your joints
Well now, that makes sense!!
I've never seen any rationale before
for using one technique over the other.
When you think about it it's simple physics.
I'm going to switch to the knuckle approach
for the rest of my 100 mug exercise (60).
From there ??? Just have to see.
> This is the kind of friendly advice most people don't want to hear, so
> feel free to totally ignore the fact I sent it.
Exactly the kind of friendly advice I DO want to hear.
Thanks Steve.
Earl...
Bothell, WA, USA
iandol on mon 3 nov 03
Dear Earl Krueger,
You say in part <second, my outside finger tends to gouge out clay .... This is =
especially true on the lower half of the pot where the applied pressure =
is greatest...>>... It sounds as though you are applying far too much =
pressure as you squeeze the clay to start the thinning process, then you =
relax your grip on the clay. This would lead to an uneven thickness form =
base to rim.
<the desirable 3-4 pulls...>>... Why worry if you have to made another =
couple of drafts up the clay to achieve the desired height.
<to get the knack of the knuckle approach...>>... Your comment is not =
unusual and echoes much written instruction about throwing clay. Perhaps =
it is an error to think we are"Pulling" our clay, applying tension to it =
to thin it. The alternative, of considering it as an extrusion process, =
gives new insights into what may be happening. Thought of as a =
mechanical process, the drive of the wheel pushes clay though a die =
shape formed from parts of our hands, be it the fingers, knuckles or the =
blade formed by the side of our index finger.=20
<or two of stiff clay stuck on the side of my finger at the end of the =
first pull. I'm curious. Is this just bad technique on my part or does =
this happen to everybody?>> I think you are being rather aggressive =
with your clay. If you read James Fox's original article on "Dry =
Throwing" he mentions that this can happen and accepts it as part of the =
process. Might be important if your mugs are made from half a pound of =
clay but above and beyond that, why worry!!
Enjoy your claywork.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis. Redhill, South Australia
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