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YouTube

Pottery Bowl Throwing and Trimming - Proportion is Everything

Florian Gadsby via YouTube

Overview

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Learn the art of pottery wheel throwing and trimming through a detailed 20-minute tutorial that demonstrates recreating a ceramic bowl with improved proportions. Master essential techniques including clay preparation, centering on the potter's wheel, opening clay lumps, and pulling up walls to create refined forms. Discover how to shape larger ceramic pieces while stretching clay in controlled ways to prevent distortion and slumping. Explore advanced trimming methods for soft clay, including the extra care required when working with pieces that haven't fully dried. Follow along as the instructor addresses common pottery challenges like 'S' cracks and demonstrates how small decisions impact the final form's proportions and aesthetic appeal. Compare the finished refined bowl with its original iteration to understand how thoughtful adjustments to foot width and wall sharpness can dramatically improve a ceramic piece's overall balance and visual impact.

Syllabus

0:00 - Introduction & the bowl in question
1:35 - Preparing the clay
2:23 - Centring the clay on the potter's wheel
3:59 - Opening the lump of clay prior to lifting up the walls
5:22 - Pulling up the walls
6:59 - Indenting the rim
8:34 - Cleaning the bowls foot
9:18 - Drying the bowl overnight
10:06 - Fixing the lip and interior form
11:51 - Refining the exterior form
15:42- Hollowing out the foot ring
17:08 - An example of why 'S' cracks occur
18:49 - The finished form, compared to the older iteration
19:46 - Clean up

Taught by

Florian Gadsby

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