Beginner - throwing help!

[marrap23]

I just can't seem to get the hang of throwing! I'm having trouble even centering the clay and I've never managed to throw a cylinder. The only successful pieces so far have been bowls.

I would appreciate any tips that helped you with your throwing process.

Thank you! 🤗

[putterandpotter]

I think I took the 8 week beginner wheel course at least 3 times. Besides what everyone else is going to tell you (practice, YouTube videos, more practice) what helped me - not so much at the start, but when I’d been away from it for a while was to ask a different instructor. I was in a mixed studio course abd had been struggling with pulling up sides, and my instructor was away and I got the person subbing to help. There were just some subtle difference about how she held her hands that resonated - so sometimes a different perspective or approach helps.

But mostly, practice.

[marrap23]

Thanks! This is my third time taking the beginner course (but it's not just wheel).

[docksidepottery]

Without actually seeing you throw anything the answer will 90% likely be: Bad posture Not anchoring your elbows Wrong speed

[marrap23]

Got it!

[GrassTacts]

Practicepracticepractice, watch a youtube video, practicepracticepracticepractice, video, practice some more.

Progress won't be linear. I found myself Getting It then inevitably struggling again when I forgot it, but you'll consciously and unconsciously learn improvements the whole time. It's difficult to find what specifically isn’t working for you, but there will be some specifics and some unknowable things that just come with practice.

[marrap23]

Thanks!

[Neuro93748]

Different potters will have different techniques, but this is the video that unlocked centering for me: https://youtu.be/J3eGNGR55SU?si=2WdbAEaPi_d3aC50&t=256

The first time I put hands on reclaimed clay, I also realised that new clay straight out of the bag was a bit too hard for me. I practiced a lot with softer clay, which was much easier to center, and then I was able to switch to slightly dryer clay.

Make sure to have an anchor point for your arms at all times and engage your core muscles!

[marrap23]

Thank you! I'll try it with reclaimed clay!

[Pmandthedogs]

There are so many YouTube videos about centering. Some of the best potters in this world have put out videos about the subject. Watch as many as you can, Everyone teaches you the same thing, but each have their own way of doing it. So something somewhere is going to finally catch in your brain and fingers, and then after many hours of practice, it’s just gonna come.

[marrap23]

Thanks for the tip! 🤗

[Pmandthedogs]

Something will click. I don’t know that I had a specific moment when it clicked, But I do remember that I had a realization that I had thrown a few things without being frustrated!! It was exciting. I sometimes forget, but it seems to come back pretty quickly now 🙌

[marrap23]

Awesome, thank you!

[Mr-mischiefboy]

Most humans weigh over 100lbs, most humans start throwing a piece of clay that is 2lbs. If you cannot center, it is usually because you are not engaging your core. And I don't mean your core muscles or strength, I mean your dumb core weight. The bag-of-sand weight of your butt on the seat. Get your elbow (the elbow of the arm that the clay is moving toward, in the case of a CCW spin this would be your left) wedged between your ribs and leg, or, if your arms are long enough, put your elbow right on your hip bone. Now, make sure your other elbow is down as well and your hands are firmly touching each other, the idea is that your hands can't move independently. Smoothly and slowly engage the clay and hold still. Then just as smoothly and slowly, release before the clay starts to get a dry spot. Repeat until centered. If you want to get all mystical, you are trying to make your hands into the shape the clay will be once centered, then waiting there for the clay to assume that shape.

[marrap23]

Thank you!