The easy way to throw a large bowl

Clay: Bennetts Magill terra cotta filtered clay.
Weight: 4.7kg.
Primary Technique: Dry centring.

Acknowledgement: I didn’t invent the technique I will be demonstrating. My friend (and amazing artist) Shaelene Murray used it when she was making a form for casting a large crucible for the SCA glass furnace, when we were at art school together. I was lucky enough to have the only wheel in the studio powerful enough to throw the 40 plus kilogram form on, so I got to watch and grill her while she made it. My technique has grown and changed a bit since then, but it retains most of the key features of hers. Without her skill and knowledge, I would not be able to share this with you.

Using this technique, I’ve seen students, absolute beginners, with as little as 12 hour training go from making 300g cylinders to 3000g bowls. I’ve used this technique to make 40kg platters (1m wide & 30cm high). The only limiting factor is your energy level (and the packing size of the kiln you have access to.)

WARNING: This technique can be hard on your shoulders, especially if your clay is hard. If your arms are locked or rigid while hitting the clay or your using too much force, the impact of your hands on the clay will be transferred up your arm to your shoulders and could injure your shoulders or elbows. If your clay is hard, you WILL hurt yourself with this technique. Make sure your clay is not too hard.

Dry centring has a number of benefits:
1. By centring and opening up without water, you extend the time you have for pulling up and shaping
2. You reduce the internal stress in the clay by not twisting it during centering and opening up
3.You have a base that is thoroughly compressed which helps reduce the likelihood of cracking.
4. It doesn’t require a lot of brute force, it just requires stamina and patience.