Project #4: Process Post

Throughout project #4, I have been learning how to throw pottery on the wheel. Using techniques of various youtube instructors and tips and tricks from Ms. Utterback, I have learned how to cone, pull walls, and trim the edges of bowls and cups. The process has probably been the most challenging thing I have ever had to learn because it requires a huge time commitment as well as a lot of patience.

In addition to the time I have spent on the wheel in class, I have also spent hours after school practicing how to throw. The first time I tried to throw a cup without the support of a video in the background, I couldn't even center the clay. I had to go back to my sketchbook and take more notes and watch more videos, and then I spent a few days just practicing coning and centering before finally moving on. After becoming more comfortable with centering, I ran into another challenge: pulling walls. All of my cups kept coming out lopsided, with one side being much taller than the other.

The lunch before critique, I finally threw a small cup that actually looked like a cup. It wasn't taller than two inches but it was still a cup!!! My goal for the upcoming quarter will be to become faster at throwing and more confident in my process so I can finally begin to play with the creativity aspect that comes with pottery, like engraving or slip design.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/09256a_b02acbd0857a43b997153bbb9020fa2c/720p/mp4/file.mp4

Above is a video of my coning. practice as well as a picture of a lopsided center that I did.