How to Throw Pottery off the Hump
To throw pottery off the hump, start by using around 25 pounds of clay and wedging it all at once or in thirds.
Center the clay on the wheel by slamming three sections together or by slowly centering it and using water.
Pull the top of the clay up into a cone and compress it down, with a groove separating it for working.
Open the clay at a 45-degree angle with both hands, compressing the lip to ensure it stays even.
Adjust the depth of the opening based on whether you will trim the foot or create it while throwing.
Compress the bottom of the form to prevent cracks and reinforce the groove on the outside if necessary.
Compress the rim and remove excess water after each pull.
Thicker walls are recommended for trimming later, while even wall thickness is important if the form is already defined on the hump.
Clean the form with a rubber, metal, or wood rib, compress the bottom and lip, and remove excess water.
Make a notch in the bottom of the form for cutting it off, either through trimming or using a wire tool.
Cut the form off by making a level cut with a wire, ensuring your hands are level and the notch is securely holding the wire.
Lift the form off with your hands or pot lifters and place it on a nearby table or shelf.
Repeat the previous steps until there is only a small amount of clay left on the wheel.
Finish off the last section of clay by removing it from the wheel and letting it dry to leather hard.
Trim the bottoms of the pieces once they are dry.
Overall, throwing pottery off the hump involves centering, opening, compressing, and cutting the form off.
It can save time when throwing multiple pieces, and practice and experimentation are encouraged.
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Did You Know?
1. In ancient times, pottery throwing was actually a male-dominated craft. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that women started to actively participate in this art form.
2. The technique of throwing pottery off the hump is believed to have originated in Asia around 5,000 years ago. It was later spread to the rest of the world through trade and cultural exchanges.
3. The process of throwing pottery off the hump allows potters to create multiple items with almost identical shapes and sizes within a short amount of time. This efficiency made it popular among potters who needed to produce large quantities of ceramic ware.
4. Historically, throwing pottery off the hump was a way to make functional vessels, but modern potters have transformed this technique into a means of artistic expression. They use it to create unique and intricate forms that challenge traditional notions of pottery.
5. In recent years, throwing pottery off the hump has undergone a revival in popularity due to its sustainability and reduced waste. The technique allows potters to maximize the use of clay and minimize scraps, making it an environmentally friendly approach to pottery making.
Clay Preparation And Wedging
Before throwing pottery off the hump, it is crucial to properly prepare the clay. Here are two methods to consider:
- Method 1: Wedging the Entire Clay
- Gather around 25 pounds of clay, ensuring it has the right consistency and texture for throwing.
- Place the clay on a wedging table and divide it into manageable sections.
- Slam the sections together rhythmically, using your body weight to force them together.
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This process helps distribute moisture evenly and eliminate any trapped air bubbles.
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Method 2: Wedging in Thirds
- Divide the clay into three equal parts.
- Pat the first section into a rough cone shape and slap it down on the wedging table.
- Rotate and repeat this process several times for each section.
- Make sure to adequately wedge all three parts.
Remember that wedging is crucial to remove air bubbles and create a uniform composition. Properly preparing the clay ensures a better throwing experience and improves the quality of your pottery.
“Wedging is like exercise for clay.”
Centering The Clay On The Wheel
Once the clay is properly prepared and wedged, it’s time to center it on the pottery wheel. Centering is a crucial step that ensures the stability and balance of the clay during the throwing process. There are two techniques for centering the clay: the slamming method and the slow and steady method.
For the slamming method, place the clay on the wheel head and position your hands firmly on top. Using your body weight, press down firmly and slam the clay down onto the wheel head. Repeat this motion two more times, ensuring that the clay is securely centered.
Alternatively, the slow and steady method involves slowly centering the clay by applying gentle pressure and using water to aid in the process. Start by wetting your hands and the clay, then press your hands firmly against the clay to create a slight dome shape. Apply a consistent gentle pressure while using water to lubricate the clay, and gradually push it into the center of the wheel head. Continue this process until the clay is perfectly centered.
- Slamming method:
- Place the clay on the wheel head and position your hands firmly on top.
- Use your body weight to press down firmly and slam the clay onto the wheel head. Repeat two more times.
- Slow and steady method:
- Wet your hands and the clay.
- Press your hands firmly against the clay to create a slight dome shape.
- Apply gentle pressure while using water to lubricate the clay.
- Gradually push the clay into the center of the wheel head, continuing until it is perfectly centered.
Note: Centering the clay is essential for achieving stability and balance during the throwing process.
Opening And Shaping The Clay
Once the clay is centered, it’s time to open and shape the form. Start by pulling the top of the clay up into a cone shape. Apply even pressure with both hands and lift the clay upwards, compressing it down to create a groove at the top. This groove will serve as a guide for your hands while working on the piece.
Next, open the clay at a 45-degree angle with both hands while compressing the lip using your fingers. This action ensures that the opening stays even and prevents it from collapsing. Depending on your desired outcome, adjust the depth of the opening accordingly. If you plan to trim the foot later, leave a slightly shallower opening. However, if the form is already defined on the hump, maintain an even wall thickness throughout.
Compressing The Form And Preventing Cracks
To ensure structural integrity and prevent cracks, it is crucial to compress the bottom of the clay form. Apply gentle pressure to the bottom of the clay with your fingers while rotating it on the wheel. This compression helps consolidate the clay particles and eliminate any potential weak spots that could lead to cracks during firing.
If needed, reinforce the groove on the outside of the form using a rib tool or your fingers. This strengthens the shape and provides additional support while working on the piece. Don’t forget to periodically compress the rim and remove excess water after each pull to maintain the desired shape.
Trimming Options And Foot Creation
When throwing pottery off the hump, you have the option to trim the foot later or create it while throwing.
If you choose to trim later, it is recommended to make the walls of the form slightly thicker. Thicker walls provide more clay to work with when trimming and shaping the foot after the piece has dried to leather hard.
In contrast, if you plan to create the foot while throwing, ensure that the wall thickness remains even throughout the entire form. This evenness is important to maintain the structural integrity of the piece during the cutting and lifting process.
Clean the form using a rubber, metal, or wood rib to smooth the surface and remove any imperfections. Compress the bottom and the lip to further refine the shape and remove excess water. These steps will enhance the overall appearance and quality of the finished piece.
Cutting And Lifting The Form Off The Hump
After completing the desired number of pieces, it is time to cut and lift them off the hump. Begin by making a notch in the bottom of the form. This notch will serve as a guide for cutting the piece off either through trimming or using a wire tool.
To cut the form off the hump, ensure that your hands are level and that the notch securely holds the wire. With a steady hand, make a level cut through the clay using a wire tool. The cut should be smooth and uniform to avoid damaging the piece.
Once the form is cut, lift it off the hump using your hands or pot lifters. Take care to handle the piece with support and delicacy to avoid any deformation or breakage. Gently place the lifted piece on a nearby table or shelf, ready for further drying and finishing.
Remember to repeat the previous steps for each piece until there is only a small amount of clay left on the wheel. Dispose of the remaining clay properly and allow the thrown pieces to dry to leather hard before proceeding with any additional trimming and shaping.
Overall, throwing pottery off the hump is a technique that can save time and create multiple pieces with consistent characteristics. Practice and experimentation are key to mastering this advanced technique. Don’t be afraid to seek feedback on your creations and continue to refine your skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does off the hump mean in pottery?
Off the hump in pottery refers to a method where potters create multiple forms quickly and efficiently. By placing a sizeable pile of clay on the wheel and roughly centering it, they are able to throw off small forms without having to restart the wheel for each individual piece. This technique allows potters to streamline their workflow and produce numerous identical items in a relatively short amount of time, enhancing productivity and consistency in their craft.
Why throw off the hump?
Throwing off the hump is a favored technique for its efficiency when crafting multiple small to medium items. By utilizing this method, participants are able to create a series of intricately designed pieces from an 8-10lb clay lump. This technique not only saves time but also allows for enhanced creativity, as artists can explore various shapes, sizes, and designs without transitioning between separate pieces of clay. Ultimately, throwing off the hump empowers artisans to express their artistic vision through a seamless and continuous process, resulting in a collection of cohesive and unique pieces.
How much clay do I need to throw off the hump?
To determine how much clay you need to throw off the hump, consider your personal preference and comfort level. While it is generally suggested to work with around 25 pounds of clay, you can adjust this amount based on your wedging abilities. If handling 25 pounds at once feels challenging, divide it into three manageable portions and wedge each group separately. This way, you can ensure you have enough clay to work with while also maintaining a comfortable workflow.
What are the two techniques in pottery?
Two common techniques in pottery making are hand building and wheel throwing. Hand building is a method where clay is shaped by hand using various techniques such as coiling, pinching, and slab construction. This technique allows for a great degree of creativity and artistic expression as the potter can freely manipulate the clay into desired forms. On the other hand, wheel throwing involves using a pottery wheel to spin the clay and shape it into vessels. This technique requires skill and precision as the potter uses their hands and tools to shape the spinning clay into bowls, plates, or other forms. Both hand building and wheel throwing offer unique possibilities in the world of pottery, catering to different artistic styles and practices.
