Throwing on the Wheel

Wheel throwing is relatively simple. The first and probably the most thing a potter must do is make sure his or her body is even. An even body will allow the potter to use his or her body as an anchor making throwing more fluid. Next the potter must put the clay on the bat and make sure it stays on the bat. Personally I use the “electric monkey” technique by patting down the clay with both hands. After attaching the clay to the bat, the potter then must center the clay. For this process the potter holds his hands vertically and places them around the clay. The potter then pulls up on the clay and pushes it back down with the pads of his or her thumbs towards center. Next the potter must open the clay by making a v joint. To make the v joint the potter puts his or her left hand around the left side of the center clay. Next he puts his right hand on his left and pushes into the center of the clay. After making the v joint, the potter must make the floor. By putting his hands into the v joint and pulling outward on the sides. Finally the potter pulls the walls. The potter pulls his walls differently based on what he would like to make. To pull a wall the potter places his thumb and finger on each side of the wall and slowly moves it up the side. He pulls the walls to the desired height. On the wheel this is what I made, Lisa helped me a lot with it.




AOI: Aproches To Learning

Since this was my first time on the wheel it was a learning experience. From this I learned not only about the wheel and throwing but also artistic styles. Many potters on the wheel have their unique artistic style and it really shows in their form on the wheel. Each potter has a different shape that they throw. I learned this from watching others like Steven and Lisa throw. From this I can potentially learn about my own form but I need to throw more to find my form. I find that since I learn better by doing than in the future with more practice I will find my own form and learn a lot about my self throught this from.