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notes of a practicing ceramist

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Author 22.04.2014

We are continuing to disassemble the main stages of work on the potter’s wheel. In this lesson we will learn to form the bottom of the vessel.

So, we have a well-centered piece of clay.

Pottery: forming the bottom

Now the index finger is centered and lightly press down. It is important that the finger is fixed on the rotation axis and not walk sideways.

Pottery: forming the bottom

Now press down harder and move your finger down the line. The angle of inclination of the finger – about 45 degrees.

Pottery: forming the bottom

We reach the bottom of the vessel – the bottom is about half a centimeter thick. If you find it difficult to catch the moment when to stop – try to make flower pots with a hole – so you immediately see which thickness is obtained at the bottom.

Pottery: forming the bottom

Then slowly bend your finger while pushing the clay. Your finger moves horizontally, forming the bottom of the vessel.

Pottery: forming the bottom

We reach the point where the wall thickness at the bottom of the vessel will be approximately equal to the thickness over the entire height.

Pottery: forming the bottom

If the walls are too much deviated to the side, they need to be a bit narrow.

Pottery: forming the bottom

To do this, embrace pot on all sides and slowly move the fingers to the center.

Pottery: forming the bottom

Now, the fingers can hold the bottom-up and check the wall thickness along the entire height.

Pottery: forming the bottom

There are basically only index fingers, the others on grab.

Pottery: forming the bottom

Be sure to align the edge of the vessel. Thumb and index finger of the left hand holding the wall thickness, and the index finger of the right – the top edge of the dub.

Pottery: forming the bottom

Here’s a we’ve got a thick-walled cylinder.

Pottery: forming the bottom

Cutaway:

Pottery: forming the bottom

In the next step we need to make the wall thinner and higher.

And while that’s all, thank you for your attention and see you soon))
Success to you in pottery!

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1 Comment

  1. perhotelan says:

    great article, please post more , can you

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