This little vase should look good with a nice blue glaze ☺️
Some tips and thoughts on the process below:
1. Prepare Clay: Start by wedging the clay to remove air bubbles and ensure uniform consistency. If you’ve got some clay brand-new from a bag then only wedge into a ball as brand new clay normally is free from air bubbles so you only have to loosen the structure of the clay by wedging it
2. Center Clay: Place the clay on the wheel head and center it using firm pressure to create a symmetrical base. After centering I will then wet my hands and the clay’s surface, using a sponge to spread the load and increase efficiency, begin pulling up the walls by squeezing both hands together to force the clay upwards
3. Shape Vase: Wen pulling the walls up., gradually shape the vase, widening the base and tapering towards the neck to achieve the desired form. Once the basic shape is formed, consider adding surface decoration or texture using tools or techniques like carving, slip trailing, or impressing.
With most vases or any clay pieces that you throw on the Pottery wheel, they are all subject to the artist hand and imagination. My process when I am throwing is to make sure that the fundamentals of wheel throwing are always apparent. Keeping good form and technique will allow you to experiment with the boundaries of the clay and create numerous and multiple shapes.
The most important thing I will say is that clay preparation is one of the most key factors on creating successful thrown pieces, even finding the right clay body to suit your style will help you become a better thrower than using a clay that is too tough or hard to use. Find a clay that you enjoy working with and you will find your throwing will improve out of sight!!
Hope you found this post useful and thank you as always for the support!
Layering 4 Pottery Glazes
In today’s video I’m going to be showing you how you can use four glazes to glaze any piece you may have by just simply layering the glazes on your bisque ware in sections
The trick is to not layer the glazes too thickly as you don’t want crawling from a thick application of glaze. What you want is a good coverage of glaze in the bare areas of the vase or pot and layer them in sections. Splitting the piece into quarters or halves
This is a technique that allows you to get different combinations with the glazes you may have. Another thing to also remember is that getting good Glaze coverage is key when applying multiple glazes, it’s very easy to miss areas especially when you’re pouring glazes over the top of your piece so make sure you give it a quick check up before placing it on the shelf ready for firing
You can also use different tools for different application effect, Use a slip trailer for drip effects, especially for applying glaze in specific areas or a pouring jug for easy application of large areas.
You can also use brushes and straws to brush and blow glazes onto the piece creating different effects again
Remember to also allow your pieces to dry between glaze applications. Multiple heavy coats may create a wet look on the surface, but the ideal look is a powdery surface that leaves a light powder on your hands when touched. This ensures better adhesion and easier handling of the piece!!
Hope you enjoyed this post and follow along for more pottery videos and journeys!
