Summary: As the form of the bowl increases in diameter and height, less wheel speed is needed to maintain stability. Learn how to extend the V shape of a bowl on the pottery wheel in this free ceramics video on wheel throwing techniques.
Jeff Zamek started making pots 36 years ago while working toward a business degree at Monmouth University. After which he went on to obtain B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees in ceramics from...read more
"We are going to extent that V shape further and it is important to know that as the form increases in diameter and increases in height we need progressively less wheel speed to maintain stability. So left hand wet the piece on the top, water goes down both side, left hand tracing that curve on the inside, right fingers starting at the bottom, fingers on the left hand left side pushing out, equal pressure, equal depth on the throwing ridges and when we get to the top we lead the piece slightly without jarring it, supporting the piece with our left hand, sponge draping over the top to compress it and give it stability. I am going to repeat that whole process again. Left hand on the inside tracing that curve on the bottom, right hand, right fingers digging in, fingers on our left hand pushing out, a little bit more pressure and we are going to extend that V shape going up the side of the bowl taking your hands away slowly. Throwing ridges should be equally spaced with equal depth on the inside and outside."