A Deceptively Difficult Shape to Throw

I've been wanting to create some more bulbous vase forms that still conform to my angular style of pottery, and in this video I'm exploring a new shape that's particularly tricky to throw. Sharp angles always provide a challenge. Thanks for watching!

Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
0:33 - Preparing clay for throwing with
0:52 - Centring and coning the clay
2:43 - Checking the depth of the base
3:27 - Pulling the walls up
5:29 - Shaping the vase
7:41 - Forming the lip of the vase
9:29 - Finishing touches...
10:25 - One last thing!
11:06 - Clean up.

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[bryan-znqc]

I'm a relatively new ceramicist, just starting my fifth month, and I've been trying to throw more angular shapes like what you do. This video has been really informative as throwing larger vases, understanding how to maintain the structural integrity has been really tricky and all about trial and error. I'm excited to try some of what I saw today. Thanks Florian

[Lu-dbuf]

That pot is gorgeous, and I've never said that about a pot before.

[mariAAAAAA_r]

I'm not a potter or ceramicist but I'm completely in love with your craft and videos! The way you pour quality and care into every detail is so inspiring, absolutely love it

[OlesyaTsoy-bnxk]

The fact that almost all clay can be reused is amazing

[BrenzerM]

This has been such a lesson in so many ways, but mostly in teaching me about taking time, pausing throughout the process of throwing and assessing the truth of the process itself. I seem to be stuck in the process of getting it all in one go, in a short space of time. I actually don't need to, I can now pause, step back, and look at what I can do with the form. Why did I ever rush this before?! Thank you so much for this new perspective. It will change my throwing, which in turn changes the energy and atmosphere in my studio and work. Thank you millions 😊

[SweetPickins]

Love your tips so much - the idea to check walls with the needle tool is genius, I’ve never seen that before 🙂

[lanwang]

Started learning pottery a month ago, your video helped me so much! I pulled the wall with right hand finger and left hand finger at the same level at beginning and always had uneven wall and very weird rim. One day I suddenly realized left hand is slightly above the right and the right hand finger actually give left a support from underneath watching your video. Now both the wall and the rim become thinner and much more even.. Thank you so much for sharing the videos.

[juanQuedo]

I am playing with sharp edges, clearly influenced by your angles. 😊

[mikepetersen]

You mean you aren't an extremly clean thrower? 😉 happy Easter to you and your loved ones.🐰

[anelisamtakati]

Your videos bring me so much peace and calmness. I'm the furthest thing from a potter, but I absolutely love learning your techniques and processes. So grateful for you channel

[corysantiago]

Your videos are fantastic! So enriching for a new potter like myself, thank you!

[vzeimen]

I really appreciated you camera angle and explanation of opening the pot and shaping the floor and angle at the wall. I've been working on this very thing so much lately so I can get that clay up from the bottom. This video makes me feel like I'm on the right track but now have even more to think about when actually doing it. Thanks!

[BellydancerMaliha]

Thank you so much for including the voiceover with your process. I have never thrown clay and I’m not a potter but I find your process so fascinating! I love watching every part of this and your videos are so well made. I can tell the care you take with them, just like each work of art you make.

[nicolasdigard]

Absolutely love this shape ! And the lines and arrows on the vidéo is genius. It adds so much ! 👏🤩

[alexandraframe]

It’s a beautiful shape. Can’t wait to maybe see it glazed.

[seeingredtanya]

I would have never thought to use the needle tool to test the thickness of the walls! That is a great tip. Thanks

[emilyh]

This shape is gorgeous. Also, I didn’t know about being able to check wall thickness! Super helpful!

[xbaczewska]

Love the lip with the shape of the pot. Harmonious.

[Clarkbardoone]

Found you through shorts and one of your comments said some briny about long form videos and now I’m hooked!

[jonathanj]

You've mentioned in a couple of videos that the action of coning is to help the clay particles align. Once that's been done, does it give the clay any directional "grain", analogus to wood, that you can feel? Either during throwing or even as a difference in the properties with rather than across the grain after firing?