samnus Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 How would you open clay for a large pot in comparison to opening clay for a much smaller pot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaM Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 If you have a large amount of clay and it's proving hard to open using your fingers, you can use the right side of the heel of your right hand. Remember to keep your hands joined and use your left hand for stability so you don't push the wall out unevenly. Once you have got it open a bit you can then use your fingers for the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 How much clay are you talking about (pounds or kilos)? best, ..............john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 As John says, how much clay? I would also ask what type of piece? If you throw much, you know that bowls open differently from cylinders, and plates are different also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samnus Posted January 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 small pot = 2 lbs and large pot = 10 lbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samnus Posted January 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 sorry for being so unclear...for cylinders, tall pots. How different for a bowl? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaM Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 These instructional videos are really helpful and there are hundreds of them!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kohaku Posted February 1, 2014 Report Share Posted February 1, 2014 Samnus- I've found that the 'rules' (conventional ways to open particular shapes in this case) are only useful to a point. You could probably look at a series of successful potters opening a form like a cylinder, and there would be differences all down the line. For me, the key thing with any form is to throw it repeatedly, experimenting with different hand positions and opening strategies. You'll find a sweet spot that works well for you, allowing for consistency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted February 1, 2014 Report Share Posted February 1, 2014 As the above poster, Kohaku, says it depends on what works for you. As I have stated in other posts, sometimes I open with a thumb, or a middle finger, or two fingers braced together-these when throwing smaller cylinders to larger ones. When working over 15# I often open with my fist, or hand held like a spoon. Bowls are different as I like rounded bottoms inside of my bowls, so I open with either the edge of my fist leading with the hand knuckle of little finger. Larger bowls 8# or more I open with my elbow. Whatever works, works. I used to know a girl who had no rt hand, opened with the stump, pulled with the stump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samnus Posted February 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2014 Thanks for the reminder about YouTube...when I start watching these I find myself spending hours and hours...they're addicting ;o) I can see where there are many different ways...but like you say, you have to find what works best for you...so I will give it a try and see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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