| Throwing the Large Canister and Lids |
| Bill Van Gilder throws the largest canister and lids for the entire set. |
From "Throwing Clay"
episode DTHC-111 |
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Master potter Bill Van Gilder is making a canister set. So far, he's thrown two small cylinder-shaped canisters directly on the wheel head. He made a gallery, or ledge, for the lid by rolling the clay inward over his fingertips and pressing the rim down (figure A). He measured the openings carefully, making sure the lids fit securely, but didn't lock-up against the rim (figure B). Next he made a medium-sized canister on a bat. Now he's ready to make the large canister.
1. The large canister uses the same techniques as the smaller canisters but since it uses more clay, Bill takes his time shaping the form. He throws the clay in a cone shape. When it's the correct height, he'll open it up to the desired width of 6-1/2" (figure C).2. After removing water from the outside surface of the jar, he uses a rib to smooth the surface. This step is important: too much water means the clay becomes too soft too fast, putting the cylinder in danger of collapse (figure D).
3. He next measures the canister for the 6-1/2" opening and finds it to be too small (figure E). He stretches the rim by grasping the rim inside and outside and slowly pulling it outward, parallel to the wheel head. He holds a small sponge in his left hand and keeps it in contact with the rim as he widens the clay (figure F).
4. When the rim measures 6-1/2", he removes any excess water from the form and straightens the exterior walls (figure G).5. He softens the rim with a small sponge and takes a final measurement before cutting the pot loose from the bat (figure H).
Throwing the LidsBill uses a 6-pound lump of clay to throw the first three lids. Lids should be made at the same time as the canister bases or right after each other, ensuring every piece will dry at the same rate. 1. He brings the clay up and pushes it back downward on the edges of the clay, creating a knob (figure I), before pulling the edges outward (figure J), creating a lid (figure K).
2. After resetting the calipers to 4-1/2", he measures the lid and determines it to be correctly proportioned (figure L). He removes excess water from the lid and uses the tip of his thumb to put a swirl design on the knob by starting in the center of the knob and drawing his thumb tip outward.3. Before removing the lid from the lump of clay, he double-checks the width of the lid. He then makes a groove under the lid with a rib (figure M) and cuts the lid free with a wire. With the wheel moving and using wet fingertips, he slides his fingers under the lid and lifts the lid off the clay base (figure N).
4. He repeats the steps as he makes a second small lid. The first measurements for this lid show it to be too small. To correct the measurement, he draws up more clay and widens the lid (figure O).5. He next determines the knob to be too tall; he lowers it by pinching it lightly, before shaping it, making sure it will be easy to gasp. He adds the decorative swirl to the top of the knob, takes a final measurement and cuts the lid free from the clay base (figure P).
6. The medium lid uses the same techniques as the small lid. As he increases the size of the lid, he increases the proportions of the knob. This time he stops the wheel to cut the lid free, taking care not to warp the surface.7. He makes the large lid directly on the wheel head. He needs a lot of clay to support the wide disc, which is easier to throw on the wheel head than on a hump of clay. He uses one pound of clay for this lid, which is 6-1/2" wide. He throws it using the same techniques as before (figure Q). 8. When completed, he cuts the lid free of the wheel and carefully sets it on the ware board. He places his hands under the lid, opposite his body, and pops the lid up, working his fingertips under the lid before lifting it off the wheel (figure R).
9. He leaves the pieces to dry leather hard (figure S). When dry, they'll be ready for trimming (figure T).
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
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