One Trick to Help Throwing Shallow Bowls

In this weekend's video I'm throwing two shallow bowls, the only difference between them is how much support clay I leave, and this makes a drastic difference to how easy the process is.

Timecodes:
0:00 - Introduction
0:29 - Clay prep, (2 lb, 907 grams each)
1:29 - Attaching the MDF batt
2:05 - Throwing the WRONG shape
3:37 - Throwing the RIGHT shape
5:16 - Finishing the inside form
6:27 - 'Decorating' the rim
7:56 - Clean up

I throw using both a Rohde HMT 500 & 600 potter's wheel and fire using Rohde kilns too, the electric is a TE-200 and the gas kiln is a KG-340.
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[mgxa_]

I'm constantly amazed by the spotless condition of the sweaters and dark clothing you always wear in your videos.

[JeLevs]

My lumps look *exactly* like the "what not to do* version, and I'm just starting to branch into bowls. A well-timed video! Thank you!

[jimjimgl]

Perfect timing. I just sat down at my computer after throwing a wider bowl. I intentionally left the bottom wider as you just did. I had brought into the studio a bowl from a maker I admire and sat down and figured out, as best I could, how she made the bowl. Having something in front of me as a visual aid helped in this instance. (I throw porcelain and like the walls, rims to be thin). Love all your posts...!

[chloesutherland]

Thanks so much for this! I recall doing very heavy bases when first learning bowls but didn't realise why and had strayed away from doing it (wit mixed results). Really appreciate you going through the reasoning.

[erikstallman]

You are an amazing potter!!! So impressive😀 Thank you for sharing 🥣

[cookerymagic]

Thank you for taking 'your precious time' to teach us!

[bobcalhoun]

As a beginner potter these tips (in your previous video, and here, too) have helped make larger bowls more successful. I will also leave a thicker bottom if I'm going to remove the pot from the bat. One tip I've seen is that you can move some of the clay back down toward the bottom on the inside if you haven't quite got that nice round shape correctly.

[kalanphelps]

i really love that rim! decorative enough to catch your attention, yet perfectly understated; much like all of your work.

[TeresaBaileypolymath]

This was a lovely demonstration of bowl stability. Thank you for it!

[vivienstratton]

I am a beginner (still after a year) and struggle with the throwing process but watching this makes going on all the more worthwhile! Thank you

[panibear]

Very very helpful. One thing you can use instead of an old trimming to pick up the bat is a car trim tool that detailers or car painters use to take off badges. It’s plastic and it readily available at car part stores. I got mine at harbor freight in the US.

[Alex_Z]

nice! i always struggle with a nice curve for pasta bowls

[doggo]

Funny this comes out right after a failed attempt at a wide bowl that is part of my water fountain in progress

[Streytey]

Amazing videos, just getting into pottery and you've been an inspiration. I was wondering if you could do a video and oxidation glazes (in an electic kiln) for those of us that dont have setup that would allow for a gas kiln.

[lottaearth]

Thanks for this. I've had some issues with bowls collapsing.

[TeleportsBehindYou]

I was having this exact problem with large bowls! I'll try it when I get the chance

[streetographer]

I've made this mistake more than I'd like to admit. I'll try the second approach the next time I'm in the workshop. 🙏

[Scoupe]

Lifting bowls has been so hard. Think I need that wood disc.
And my clay seems much wetter out the bag than 0:38. Will this be causing early collapse even when walls seem to be 3-5mm thick?

[robertine.atelier]

Thank you for sharing ! So you keep your flat piece of clay for the day after ?

[marypeterson]

I notice you throw the ball of clay down on the seams created by wedging instead of on its side. Does that weaken the base?