How to Throw a Cylinder with The Clay Lady

Summary

In this instructional video, Danielle De Clay from the Clay Lady's Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, teaches viewers how to throw a cylinder on a pottery wheel. She emphasizes the importance of centering the clay, demonstrating techniques for achieving a uniform shape. Danielle provides practical tips for managing larger pieces of clay, maintaining proper wheel speed, and ensuring a stable base. As she guides viewers through the process of pulling and shaping the cylinder, she highlights the significance of hand positioning and tension. The lesson culminates in creating a well-formed cylinder, showcasing the art and skill of pottery making.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Danielle introduces the lesson on throwing a cylinder at her studio in Nashville, Tennessee.
• 🌀 The natural centripetal force of the wheel tends to shape the clay into a bowl, making centering essential.
• 🔄 For larger pieces of clay, adjust the wheel speed to slightly faster than medium to achieve better control.
• 👋 Locking the elbow and using body weight is crucial for effective centering of the clay.
• 📏 A wider base is necessary for taller cylinders to ensure proper shape and stability.
• 💧 Use water liberally to keep hands and clay moist during the throwing process.
• 🔍 Focus on lifting the clay into the walls of the pot to maintain an even shape.
• ✋ The 'salute' technique helps provide support while pulling up, ensuring proper hand positioning.
• 📏 Ideally, a cylinder should be shaped with three to four pulls, but six to eight pulls are recommended for control.
• 🔧 Use a rib tool for smoothing the pot, applying it on the outside while the inside hand guides the shape.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Danielle's lesson in this video?

The main focus of Danielle's lesson is to teach how to throw a cylinder on a pottery wheel.

Why is centering considered the most important part of throwing a pot?

Centering is crucial because it ensures that the clay is evenly shaped; without it, one side of the pot can end up thicker or thinner, leading to an uneven shape.

What is the suggested wheel speed for working with larger pieces of clay?

For larger pieces of clay, the wheel speed should be a little faster than medium, but not fully topped out.

What technique does Danielle recommend for centering larger pieces of clay?

Danielle recommends the 'push-pull' technique, which involves locking your elbow, leaning your body in, and using your outside hand to pull while applying downward pressure with your top hand.

How does Danielle suggest checking the base of the cylinder before opening it?

She suggests checking that the base is as wide as needed for the cylinder, especially since taller cylinders require a wider base.

What should you do if your hands get dry during the throwing process?

If your hands get dry, you should apply water to maintain moisture and ensure smooth pulling.

What does Danielle mean by 'the salute' technique?

The 'salute' technique involves raising the elbow of the inside hand while keeping the thumb in the palm, creating tension for better support while pulling up the clay.

How many pulls does Danielle recommend for shaping a pot?

Danielle suggests that ideally, shaping a pot should take three to four pulls, although she personally prefers six to eight pulls for optimal results.

What should you avoid when pulling up the clay?

You should avoid constantly pulling up the clay for too long, as this can introduce too much water and cause the clay to slake down or shrink.

How can you ensure a straight outside shape for the pot?

To ensure a straight outside shape, you should use a rib on the outside while your inside hand moves slowly up the side of the rib, ensuring proper shaping.