Potter's wheel: a useful hobby

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:46

Clay is a natural material, so soft and supple. It is said that the manufacture of clay products gives a person peace of mind and peace. Therefore, clay modeling on a potter's wheel has long gained popularity and over time, interest in this hobby not only does not weaken, but, on the contrary, is constantly increasing.

If you decide to devote some time to mastering this hobby, then the first thing you need to do is to get a potter's wheel. You can buy it in specialized stores, where there is everything you need for full-fledged pottery - this is a circle, different types of clay, tools and even a kiln for firing products from this natural material. So, we get a potter's wheel. Its price ranges from 21,000 to 60,000 rubles. Novice ceramists should not spend money on expensive equipment. You don't know yet if you like it or not. To get started, buy a cheaper model - it is quite enough to master the craft. In addition, purchase stacks and thin wire to cut the finished product from the potter's wheel. Instead of wire, you can take the thinnest string from a guitar.

Now on to the question of clay. Learn to do the right thingcompositions for clay are not so simple, so we advise you to first purchase ready-made mixtures. Prepare it according to the instructions. Do not forget about one important point - before you send the clay to the potter's wheel, you need to kill it. On the table, roll the clay into a sausage, tear it in half with such a movement as if you are squeezing out the laundry and throw it on the table with force. Connect them again and repeat the manipulations about 20 times. Only with such a kneading will the clay be homogeneous and molded.

You can start modeling. Don't be discouraged if you don't succeed. It will take a long time until you master at least the basic techniques of clay modeling. It's a good idea to pre-take creative courses or a master class in this area.

Roll a piece of clay into a ball, place it on the potter's wheel in the center of the disk. Press down on the surface and turn on the device. Make sure that the clay is located strictly in the center. With the help of your hands, begin to give the desired shape to the workpiece. If desired, it can be turned into a jug, vase or pot of any shape. Keep your hands wet while working.

Try to make your first works small. It is much easier to fashion a small ceramic product than a large one. Try to start by making a saucer. To do this, put a small disk of clay on a potter's wheel and begin to form a plate. Press the clay a little harder than when making jugs and pots. Use your fingers to gently form a raised headband.

After mastering the basic techniques of this difficult task, you cangive free rein to fantasy. Yes, at first it’s hard, everything doesn’t turn out the way you intended, but after a while everything will become much easier. And there is a good chance that potter's wheels will become your favorite tools with which you can bring to life various ideas - both simple and complex.