DIY Network

Shaping the Bowl Shaping the Bowl From "Throwing Clay" episode DTHC-105

Creating a one-piece chip-and-dip bowl from three separate clay components is one of master potter Bill Van Gilder's favorite projects. Bill, who has a passion for clay, has been designing and throwing clayware for more than 30 years. His unique and functional bowl is simply a stroke of genius.

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	Figure A
	Figure B

The bowl is made in three parts, consisting of a small bowl, a stem and a large bowl (figure A). The goblet (stem and small bowl) will be attached at the leather-hard stage, but they won't be attached to the large bowl until the glazing stage.

Tools: (figure B)

8 lbs. clay
calipers
wooden rib
rubber rib
foam pad
foam brush
trimming tool
needle tool
cut-off wire
wax emulsion
glazes

1. Bill readies a five-pound lump of clay for the wheel. Large pieces of clay can be hard to center: Bill's solution is to separate the clay into two pieces and center them one at a time. He centers the first piece and uses a rib to smooth the top (figure C) . Next, he adds the second piece of clay to the top of the first piece. After pushing the top piece of clay firmly down onto the bottom piece, he is quickly able to center both pieces of clay as one combined piece (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

2. He opens the clay, keeping the base at approximately 1/2" thick; this thick base creates a sturdy bottom for the bowl (figure E).

3.The base of the bowl has a curved shape. This isn't a cylinder, which has a flat base; here the clay is drawn upward from the very center, creating a gentle curve

4. Bowls are all about the inside volume. Bill's hand shapes the bowl, starting in the center and moving to the rim in a gentle curve with each pull. The width of the bowl needs to be approximately 13", but he has to be extremely careful at this stage: as the bowl gets bigger, it becomes more fragile, causing Bill to slow the speed of the wheel. If he pulls the top rim open too far, too fast, the bowl will collapse (figure F).

Figure E

Figure F

5. He uses a small rubber rib to create a curve on the inside base of the pot. The cross section of this bowl is thicker at the bottom, becoming thinner at the top. If Bill takes too long to throw a thin rim, the bowl will start to lose its shape and the clay will sink. This is a common occurrence to potters as they are start to learn the technique of throwing bowls; it's all part of learning the art of throwing clay (figure G) (figure H).

Figure G

Figure H

6. Using a medium wheel speed and starting at the 11 o'clock position, Bill slowly slides the rib to the center of the bowl, forming a soft swirl pattern in the clay and creating an even surface on the interior of the bowl (figure I).

7. With a wooden rib, Bill creates a flat, smooth indentation in the bottom of the bowl to hold the goblet (stem and small dip bowl). He measures the indention with calipers, making sure it is 3" across, the correct proportion for the bowl dimensions (figure J).

Figure I

Figure J

8. The final step in throwing the bowl is finishing the rim. Bill uses a rib to put a line at the top of the rim, creating a visual stopping place for the eye (figure K).

9. A 5" strip of plastic cellophane is used to smooth the rim. As the clay is sponged clean during the throwing process, aggregate in the clay works to the surface. When the plastic, or a strip of chamois, is smoothed over the clay, it creates a tight surface, making it easy for the clay to accept glaze. This smoothing technique also strengthens the rim. When the smoothing is complete, Bill removes any moisture or clay residue in the bowl with a sponge (figure L).

Figure K

Figure L

10. Rather than fight the rim, Bill outwits it. He twists the rim in three spots, creating a swirling effect by putting his index finger inside the rim, opposite the thumb on the outside of the rim, and giving the clay a slight twist (figure M).

11. With a wooden rib, he cuts a groove at the foot of the bowl, then cuts it free from the base with a wire cutting tool and sets it aside to dry leather hard before he finishes the base (figure N).

Figure M

Figure N

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