This was a completely new thing I tried one afternoon while throwing, I was inspired watching Japanese potters manipulate the clay beyond what i thought was possible in wheel throwing. Inspired by there hacking and cutting techniques they used, I decided to give it a try one day and it turned out very well. Even the glazing results were stunning!
Start by centring on the wheel and pull the clay up to the desired height, maintaining even wall thickness. Shape your vase. Use your hands and a damp sponge to gently push out the belly of the vase from the inside. This helps create the desired rounded shape and smooth transitions.
Now it time to add some Deep Cuts! Once the vase is thrown to height and shaped, use a wooden knife or turning tool to make deep cuts into the wall. These cuts should be about a millimetre or two deep, running vertically or turning along the vase. These grooves will add texture and depth.
Allow the vase to dry completely and then bisque fire it. This initial firing prepares the pottery for glazing by hardening the clay. Allowing you to apply your chosen glaze, ensuring it fills the deep cuts. The grooves will hold the glaze and create interesting effects once fired. You can also apply a second glaze over the top for added depth and interaction between the glazes.
Your vase will showcase the dynamic interaction of the glazes, with rich textures and colours highlighting the deep cuts.
Follow, like, and share to spread the pottery love! Your support fuels our craftsmanship and allows us to keep these tutorials coming. 🤗🤩
Let’s get some texture on this vase!!!
So a few weeks ago I purchased a new little tool! 👀
When we were at the pottery supply store I saw this course scraper rib. I knew from the moment i saw it that this was something id use for decorating thrown pieces.
So the next time I was on the wheel I decided to add some texture to the vase with the course rib.
The scraper rib is used pretty extensively for hand building and attaching pieces of clay together (score and slip) its also used for attaching handles to cups ect.
I have used this technique before with wooden combs but found in certain circumstances that it can leave a bit of a rough finish. With the fine the etch of the rib my idea was to create a finer looking texture. More so to have a slight contrast on the clay body.
Once its glazed it should be a little more prominent, one of our blue glazes should work our perfectly. The green ones could work but I’ve noticed with white clay bodies, green glazes can also hide fine texture pretty easily. Where as a blue glaze (as long as its not too thick) will create whitish highlights and help it stand out a little better
Now a little tip about creating your own texture.
You can make little pottery tools out of scrap metal you may have lying around. Even aluminium cans can repurpose as light metal for small tools. If you’re not handy with metal clippers then an old folk can also do the trick. Op shops have them by the bucket load!!
Hope you enjoyed this Post, If you did consider following along as we are always here to talk and show everything to do with pottery and ceramics! 🤗🤩
