Not So Messy Clay For Beginners?

[Huxta]

I am new to throwing and picked up my first box of clay the other day.  It is versaclay no. 20.  It is very messy.  I constantly have to wipe gobs of clay/slip from my hands.  I see so many videos of people throwing and their hands don't get so gunked up.  I tried less water but didn't help.  Is there a better clay to use as I learn?  Probably going to throw mostly bowls and mugs for now.

Thanks

[GEP]

When I taught pottery classes, we had three clays available for the students. No matter what clay they used, some potters got really messy and some stayed really neat. I think it has more to do with the potter rather than the clay.

 

I also think that beginners should use a lot of water. It helps to overcome a lot of hurdles during the beginner phase. It also makes you much messier. As you gain skill, you should use less and less water, which gives you more control. 

 

When I throw, one of my habitual movements is regularly scrape my hands clean on my splashpan or bucket. And to regularly clean off my batt of excess clay or slop. 

[oldlady]

mea has hit the nail on the head.  some potters just work cleaner than others.  but that did not happen overnight.

 

there is one other thing that might help.  some clays are dark or brownish and just appear to be messier than others.  and sometimes the plant mixing the clay adds too much water and the clay is sticky no matter what you do with it.

 

if that is the case, you can tell by cutting off a nice, clean piece with a clean wire.  then pick it up.  if it sticks to your fingers and slides all over the place, the clay is at fault.  this is a very infrequent thing but it does happen.  if that is it, return the clay if you can and get a new box, bag, or whatever.  just do not select one with the same manufacturing date.

[Pres]

As the others have eluded to, it is the nature of the beast, especially when you are a newbie.  I have been throwing for a number of years, and still get messy when in my shop. When I demonstrated, everything was clean and very little slurry on my hands or any other "gunK".  Give it time, get the basics down, then start cutting back on the water you throw with. Best to do this by not throwing with a sponge, and using the smallest friction points you can on the clay surface when you pull. I use a pointer finger tip braced with the thumb on the outside, and my pointer of the left hand braced against the middle and ring finger on the inside. Good luck and happy throwing.

 

 

best,

Pres

[Mark C.]

Its you not the clay .

Maybe handle it a bit dryer

[What?]

Use a short water bucket so when you reach in for tools you don't get slop on the side of your arm and transferred to your torso or legs. I see this happen all the time. I keep a large sponge near by to wipe off area and hands and arms frequently. Like most have said it is the potter. I am a messy potter. Towel and an apron help much along with a shower and change of clothes. Good luck.

[glazenerd]

If it makes you feel any better, I get messy all the time: and I do not throw.

Nerd