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how to make deep throwing lines

updated fri 27 may 05

 

Tim Montana on wed 25 may 05


Hi all

I was wondering if someone would be able to help instruct me on what is
the proper technique to make deep throwing lines "grooves or whatever you
want to call it on my pots. I can make throwing lines by just running one
of my fingers up from the bottom, but they don't seem to be very deep.
Some of my questions are the following do you have to have nails to make
deep clean throwing lines? Do you have to dig your finger into one spot
and than lift your finger off and move it up to the next spot you want or
do you just dig your finger into the clay body and move it straight up the
clay body. how thick should the clay body be when I make of throwing
lines.?

thanks in advance

Mike Gordon on wed 25 may 05


Tim,
You have brought me back to the sixty's. Finger lines??? I love it, it
has sort of disappeared from the scene as of late. But to answer your
question..... it would depend on the size of the pot in question,
larger pots require a little larger finger line than say, a small pot.
Small for me would be 6" . A larger pot would require a bigger line say
on a 16" pot. The thickness of the wall would then be appropriate for
the size of the pot. But the lines occur from the pressure of your
right hand on the outside of the pot as you raise the cylinder. Then
you would try to shape the cylinder from the inside without disturbing
the finger lines. Pressure from the inside hand should support the
pressure from the outside creating the lines, otherwise you would
distort the cylinder. A finger line for a small pot, the knuckle of
your index finger for a larger pot. I hope this makes some sense for
you and good luck, Mike Gordon
On May 25, 2005, at 5:15 PM, Tim Montana wrote:

> Hi all
>
> I was wondering if someone would be able to help instruct me on what
> is
> the proper technique to make deep throwing lines "grooves or whatever
> you
> want to call it on my pots. I can make throwing lines by just running
> one
> of my fingers up from the bottom, but they don't seem to be very deep.
> Some of my questions are the following do you have to have nails to
> make
> deep clean throwing lines? Do you have to dig your finger into one
> spot
> and than lift your finger off and move it up to the next spot you want
> or
> do you just dig your finger into the clay body and move it straight up
> the
> clay body. how thick should the clay body be when I make of throwing
> lines.?
>
> thanks in advance
>
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dannon rhudy on wed 25 may 05


Tim, throwing lines are a natural mark, and they
appear when you make a firm even pressure on
the clay while the piece is revolving. If none appear
when you throw, it may be that your natural style
is to throw with lighter pressure. When I first began
to throw all my throwing lines were INside the piece,
and that puzzled me for quite a time. Of course,
I finally realized that I was pressing harder with my
left hand than with my right.

If you want throwing lines, press harder. Just practice
that a bit, and you'll soon see the lines appear whenever
you throw. All techniques are a matter of practice.

regards

Dannon Rhudy

Cindy on wed 25 may 05


Dear Tim,

You'll probably get to the point where you don't want throwing lines, but I
know where you're coming from. Throwing lines on the outside of a piece, and
inside decorative bowls make a nice decoration. They're not so nice in mugs,
plates, and bowls which will have spoons inside to knock against the
throwing lines.

So, what you probably want is throwing lines on the outside only. It takes a
little practice and some hand control. You don't need fingernails, and the
throwing rings don't necessarily have to be made with your fingers--you can
use your knuckle if that's easier for you.

On the inside of the pot, either use a sponge, or hold your fingers/knuckle
in such a way as not to make a groove--all the fingers side-by-side and
together or the flat part of the finger joint against the clay. On the
outside, use either one finger or the knuckle of your index finger (or
whatever is comfortable). You need to move up the wall a little faster than
you normally would do to simply raise the wall. Press in with the knuckle or
fingertip on the outside as you support the pot from the inside with your
other hand.

You should do this after you've finished throwing the pot and don't intend
to raise the walls any higher or add any additional shaping to the walls.
Deep throwing rings get in the way of further manipulation.

For me, the main secret was in moving my hands upward faster than I normally
would. You have to be careful not to apply too much pressure, or you'll
deform the pot. It's all a matter of practice and of learning control.

Best of luck,
Cindy in SD

Craig Clark on thu 26 may 05


Mike, I put "finger lines" into some of my pots. What has worked for
me is to pay attention to the speed at which the wheel is turning and
the speed at which you make your "pull." If the wheel speed is slower
and the pull is faster then the groove that you are looking for will
result. This is something that you will need to play with. Just vary
things a bit, pay close attention, and when you are getting the look you
are after repeat.
The depth of the line will depend on the amount of pressure you are
applying from the outside as well as what part of your finger you are
using. If you are looking for a tight more "grooved" look just use the
edge of the cuticle. It you want something wider and deeper just use
either the tip of your finger or your nuckle.
Hope this helps
Craig Dunn Clark
619 East 11 1/2 st
Houston, Texas 77008
(713)861-2083
mudman@hal-pc.org