DIY Network

Throwing a Bowl Throwing a Bowl From "Throwing Clay" episode DTHC-101

Figure A

Want to throw something beautiful that is also useful? Master potter Bill Van Gilder (figure A) demonstrates how to adapt a basic bowl to make it a useful tool in the kitchen. Bill, who has been throwing clay for more than 30 years, believes a basic bowl is a great way to begin learning how to throw clay.

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This bowl has a practical twist: it's a batter bowl, made with a pouring spout and handle (figure B). Batter bowls are often made in graduated sizes and, for ease of storage, often are made with handles that let them nest together (figure C).

Figure B

Figure C

Tools
5-1/2 lbs. clay (2-1/2 lbs. for bowl, 1 lb. for handle, 2 lbs. for trim chuck)
Pointed wooden rib
Bat and bat pins
Needle tool
Rubber rib
Cut-off wire
Trimming tool
Bucket of water and soft sponge
Signature stamp
Foam brush
Wax-resist emulsion
Glazes

When you're throwing a set of bowls, the first bowl starts with a one-pound lump of clay; add 12 ounces of clay for each larger bowl. These bowls begin with 2-1/2 ponds (2 lbs., 8 oz.) of clay (figure D). The shaping process for batter bowls begins on a bat, which sits on a wheel head. Bats are very smooth, slightly absorbent, round discs that can be made of birch plywood, plastic or stress-masonite. They come in different sizes and utilize pins that hold smaller bats in place on larger bats, which, in turn, fit on the motherboard of the wheel (figure E). Their purpose is to allow clay to be removed from the wheel without disturbing its shape.

Figure D

Figure E

Throwing a Bowl

1. Rotate the surface of the ball of clay on a clean, flat surface, preparing the clay to make a firm, air-free attachment to the bat (figure F).

2. Center the clay on the bat, using pressure applied from the top and both sides of the clay (figure G). The elbows stay tight to the thighs or the wheel tray. Hands stay firmly on the clay while applying force, forming a triangle between the hands on the clay and elbow to elbow. A fast wheel speed is used during the centering process; the clay is centered when it doesn't wobble while spinning unaided on the wheel.

3. To open the clay, center your thumb in the clay and push downward with two fingers (figure H). The base of the bowl remains approximately 1/2" thick (the thickness is determined by inserting a needle tool into the center of the clay until the tip hits the bat). If the base is too thin, the bowl must be started over; if it is too thick, keep pushing down to achieve the correct thickness.

Figure F

Figure G

Figure H

4. Draw the bowl wall upward, using lots of water and a medium wheel speed, pinching the clay between the fingertips as the wall is raised (figure I). The two middle fingers do most of the work, pushing the clay in from the outside and out from the inside (figure J).

Figure I

Figure J

5. Two-and-a-half pounds of clay will make a bowl approximately 4" tall and 9" wide. It's better to make a bowl too tall and too narrow since it can always be shortened and stretched out until it is the right dimensions (figure K).

6. The bowl rim must be sturdy. To make it strong and even, round and thicken it by tucking your thumb underneath the rim and rolling the clay slightly over the side of your thumb (figure L).

Figure K

Figure L

7. Often, the clay can become too wet and too soft, and the shape collapses. When this happens (and it happens to everyone), start over with a new piece of clay. The collapsed clay can be dried out, kneaded and reused.

RESOURCES :

Kilns
L & L Kilns
Website: www.hotkilns.com

Clay
Highwater Clays
Website: www.highwaterclays.com

Extruders
American Art Clay Co. Inc. (AMACO)
Website: www.amaco.com