Five Tips for Repetition Throwing on the Pottery Wheel

This weeks film is all about repetition throwing. I go over five different tips and tricks and discuss a number of other little topics along the way, which I hope you find useful.
Bonus laser footage courtesy of Old Forge Creations, who you can check out here: / oldforgecreations
My throwing gauge is made by my friend and potter Darren Ellis, you can find them on his shop although I'll warn you now they aren't always in stock: www.darrenellispottery.com/sho...
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
0:27 - Tip 1: Clay Prep
2:05 - Tip 2: Throwing gauge
6:56 - Tip 3: Rims
9:41 - Tip 4: Look
11:50 - Tip 5: Practice
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Instagram - / floriangadsby
TikTok - / floriangadsby
Website - www.floriangadsby.com

[@sonderskull-doggon5767]

This shows a very important lesson for all forms of art. Don't be afraid to use your tools. It doesn't make you less of an artist to take an easy route... Especially when what you're doing is already a challenge.

[@juanQuedo]

The Spanish saying "patience is the mother of science" clearly applies to pottery too. Well..and to any craft and skill really.

[@martinpanev6651]

Great video! I just started learning repetitive throwing as recently I have had the opportunity to sell my pottery, and it is not easy.. Especially with my cheap Amazon pottery wheel that has been through a basement flood and squeaks like a squirrel! Great video... It should be a huge lifesaver for me.

[@juliebergeron3697]

You are really good at teaching. Your voice is calming, and accurately describes what you are showing. Your work is also perfect. Thank you.

[@isabellamcclymont]

The fact that you can reproduce the same thing so consistently is just amazing to me

[@floriangadsby]

I’ve had a LOT of practice over the past decade. These days I don’t mind if they aren’t absolutely perfect. As my favourite tutor of mine once said when asked about his repetition throwing, “I just don’t give a shit anymore”. I think I’m slowing going that way 😬

[@isabellamcclymont]

@@floriangadsby Argh a reply. I've just had my second lesson and have bought a wheel so I can practice - your videos totally inspired me. I love that you're so willing to show all the details of your work so methodically and in-depth on here. Cheers to not giving a shit :)

[@NickLashinsky0]

I really appreciate this ethos and share Florian’s penchant toward mastery and thoughtfulness in the craft.

[@monicaweber5098]

Florian, you have a very special way of explaining in a very sensible way with the perfect tone and voice. Thank you very much to put so much patience and love into your tutorials. 🌺☀️

[@chrisdotdash5154]

Just the type of video I needed! I just started throwing and recreating some small plates I have in my house. I took inspiration from you, and what you did in other videos (as well as this one). I drew out the design of the plate, with identical dimensions, weighed out my clay, and used calipers to make sure each plate matched the design. I am still looking into getting a pottery gauge, they are expensive so I might make my own (CAD + my 3D printer). This video was super useful!

[@2degucitas]

How did they turn out?

[@trees_fly_4059]

This video is such a wonderful introduction into repetition and production throwing. I really appreciate all of the videos you’ve made and the effort you put into them. They’ve inspired me to take classes here at college and create ceramic pieces myself. Every video that’s uploaded motivates me to go into the studio and keep creating. It’s truly such a wonderful medium. Thank you for all the work you put into these :)

[@LabGecko]

11:40 _"There are already too many bad pots in the world."_ Zen genius at work there

[@maddesully3682]

Thank you so much for this video Florian. I’m currently in university for ceramics and i’m going to doing a whole research project on production throwing. so being able to get your insights and your methods is beyond helpful.

[@brooke6819]

The amount of time you must spend on these videos - not to mention everything else you do - must be insane! Such high quality as usual!

[@StanlocoInc]

Great instruction. I really love and appreciate that you took the time to explain the methods and why they are important to learn vs just saying, do this! Which inevitably leaves viewers and those learning frustrated if they aren’t getting it.

[@sabrinaschriftman4467]

Crystal Clear. Practice, focus on shape and size, patience, accuracy, same movements and hundreds of pieces, clay and hours.

[@melissachavez1837]

The thought you put into every detail of your work really inspires me to do the same to my own. Thank you for sharing your tips with us! I certainly found them useful 🤗

[@kirkwalker5620]

I've watched many of your amazing videos and this one has to be my favourite. Wise words and practical advice indeed.

[@sssshelbie]

I'm happy to hear you were in Mashiko....that is where I am learning myself 🤗

[@masheroz]

The change in the rim profile was remarkable.

[@robertgardner1498]

Thank you for this. Great building blocks for achieving quality. Loved the comment about not making things too precious!

[@alexanderpoulos8522]

dont ask my why but i fall asleep to your videos (IN A GOOD WAY I LOVE YOU FLORIAN)

[@lindatortorice9356]

Just beginning to practice repetition throwing. Thanks for the encouragement and pointers.

[@ncwclement1984]

This is exactly what I wanted you to make a video on (I literally thought about this 2 days ago). Thank you!!!

[@tricami]

Thanks for sharing all this videos! So generous. Very gratefull. ❤❤❤

[@jennynelson170]

You're a wonderful teacher. Thank you.

[@mikebery1265]

Thank you so much. I love your videos. I’m just starting to learn about pottery. But I’m already in love with it 😃

[@YvonneCeramics]

Such precision. Thank you for sharing!

[@graceepstein3113]

Thanks Florian!!!

[@pachamamaireland]

Thanks for the inspiration... I did my wheel throwing training 25 years ago in Ireland and I can see in your explanations and demos the way I was taught...

[@floriangadsby]

Where did you train? I did two years of training in Ireland too, on the DCCoI ceramics skills and design training course in Thomastown. It may have gone by another name then but a fantastic course nonetheless.

[@pachamamaireland]

@@floriangadsby i did it (finally after trying twice the Kilkenny course) in Derry with Brian Magee, I visited Thomastown a few times, once during my training (Brian and Gus are friends), we did a woodfiring there, had even few chats with Gus... That was long time ago. Now I run with my wife a co-working and ceramics school (137°) in Barcelona. Hope one day you visit the city and come to us to give a master class, we would be honoured!

[@unnecessarydelivery5549]

OH!!!! new video!!!! Delightful as always :))

[@sparklefurs]

Thank you for the tips! Amazing work!

[@floriangadsby]

Thank you! Pleased you thought so, appreciate you taking your time to watch.

[@tomcausland991]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@0blackbirdFLY]

I have always wondered why throwers have mirrors in front of them. The answer was simple and made so much sense 😂

[@elainebradleyceramicartist3213]

Excellent advice. Thanks.

[@lindahay9051]

Very much appreciate all your tips, thank you :)

[@sarahharmon6495]

Beautiful, simply beautiful.

[@corinnenygren428]

Excellent, thank you.

[@paadoxal]

nice:) thanks for the video, even tho i'll probably never use the advice, it was lovely to watch

[@phillipmitchell2254]

I definitely wanna learn to do this every way it's possible to do it, but that star wars laser shit looks fun as hell

[@VertexCarver]

Having a gauge seems kind of similar to something an orchestral musician said about having sheet music or solely by heart. To me, it seemed like the musician eluded that an absolutist mindset wasn't very reasonable as whether it is your first steps or after a long career it's no shame in setting up a reference point to perfectly replicate something complex each time.

[@ragnkja]

How much does the conductor actually look at the score during a concert, and how much do they look at the musicians? And it works the other way around too, with each musician using the sheet music of a familiar piece more like a practiced speaker uses notes.

[@kathrintrognitz670]

I would really like to see more different angles like you showed us in this video :) it is so fascinating to see a master at work Perhaps over your shoulder, or from the side seeing your entire body - to see more details like how you engage your body or taking water to wet the clay

[@bearhandsartfactory5716]

I also throw multiples and orders of mugs, and bowls etc. I really like the idea of the rubber tip on your throwing gauge. I’m going to go change mine right away! I also tell my students not to save everything they make, and learn from their mistakes Instead of spending precious time trying to fix those mistakes.

[@ClownWhisper]

Great video Florian! This is basically where I'm at now I can make beautiful pots I can make beautiful teacups I can make beautiful teapots they are similar to each other they are not identical and I want to be able to make sets you cannot make a set of cups if you can't make 100 cups the same you could make a hundred cups and then pick through them and find and make up a set but that's cheating LOL. So I made myself a pointer out of acrylic it's identical to yours and I printed out a lightweight bendable pointer for the end that I can flip up and down it's absolutely perfect! Now I have to practice practicing is expensive unless I can get myself to like you say sacrifice what I have to and recycle the waste. It's funny I've been telling people to recycle like you do I turn everything into a fine slip and then screen it and then let it dry out very slowly. I mean I'll take buckets 5 gallon buckets and allow them to sit for months as they dry out and I keep on mixing them with a very large drill paint mixer. When they will no longer mix well because they've gotten too thick is when I scoop them out and put them on a board. I have not found the need for a pug mill doing it this way

[@Winterwinter980]

As a person who study archaeology hell i like your job ☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️

[@bladeo691]

Thanks Florian! Can you recommend a chart with clay weights and finished sizes? Does it matter if we're throwing with stoneware but the chart we found is for porcelain?

[@carolineberkeley4108]

Beautiful to watch and very informative. Any tips on buying/making a gauge?

[@tintism]

Great Video Florian! Love your work and skill. Something to aspire to, for sure. If I may ask, what is your clay body? I would like to try it.

[@mfoxpottery.]

great pottery! I verry like your video

[@AizaPlayzz]

I really love to make this😍🤩

[@amandabryan9386]

Thank you for another fantastic tutorial Florian! I’ve set a goal for myself to throw more sets in the coming months - mugs, bowls, etc. However, one thing I struggle with is understanding at what diameter to set the base of my pots (cylinders in particular) in order to achieve the diameter I’m aiming for a the TOP of the pot, which is where it’ll ultimately be measured for uniformness. I seem to have to over-enlarge my bases b/c as I squeeze the clay inward, the whole thing ends up narrower than intended. Any tips on how to understand this better is most appreciated!

[@suzieduchesneau8271]

What a great video🤩 this is exactly where I am right now.. heights top opening + bottom size are basically Aok, my problem is really the outside diameter-form(top to bottom) which never seems to be the same🤔 i can make it very close on the trimming but… its not exactly right… beside practice? Any suggestions? Thanks a million ☺️

[@rottenturnip6390]

For the clay prep stage, do you know of an online list of weights of clay? In retrospect, I’ve been struggling to make specifically sized pieces without 1 inch bottoms or extremely thin walls, so you discussing the importance of the amount of clay is really insightful.

[@floriangadsby]

I'll look! I have a brilliant poster somewhere but I can't remember where it is for the life of me.

[@ir1091]

Hello, thank you for the video. I was wondering if you have any advice for how to avoid back pain after hours of throwing? Thank you :)

[@christinestangel7487]

What an awesome video and thank you for taking your time to share your process. Can you recommend a resource to purchase the throwing gauge you used? Love the practical design! Thank you!

[@floriangadsby]

I love the one my friend Darren Ellis makes, www.darrenellispottery.com/shop/1-pointer I think they're sold out at the moment but they're worth the wait.

[@christinestangel7487]

Florian Gadsby Thank you!!! Will definitely wait for them to come back in stock.

[@yassineinsta7731]

Good Job i like this 😉

[@benediktstrassner5779]

Great Video. @Florian Gadsby, what clay are u using? where do you buy it?

[@pavlentos]

Great video! I do not understand, if your clay is for soft , how do you pick up a pot without deformation 🤔🙂

[@user-bo9et9hv5i]

你的手真巧，專業專業！！！！！

[@jorgecardoso5863]

Thanks for another video Florian! Do you think a POV video would be a nice ideia?

[@floriangadsby]

Cheers! That would be fun! What do you recommend, a go pro and a head strap?

[@jorgecardoso5863]

@@floriangadsby Hmmmm, That might be the best option. But if getting one is hassle, just a camera over your shoulder to show how you see things is already great!

[@chrzzzzz]

Tombo means dragonfly :D I've apparently picked up wheel skills quickly, but find recreating the same shape very difficult, which I find frustrating. Setting out to only practice, with no intent to keep anything, sounds like the kind of mental reframing I need.

[@jabdahanthings]

너무너무 고급져보인다...😍😍

[@YotamGuttman]

3:20 how much of a nightmare is it for you if your gauge happens to shift accidentally during throwing? Perhaps not a change in height since you seem to twist the lock firmly but rather a position change if it's being knocked off the table for example?

[@michaell9158]

Nice work, but do you wedge the pieces after you with it out? It looks like you would get a lot of air bubbles in the clay.

[@floriangadsby]

I do indeed!

[@michaell9158]

@@floriangadsby so do you wedge the clay after you weigh them out?

[@knightclan4]

What material do you use for your ware boards?

[@suzieduchesneau8271]

What type of clay do you use? It seems very soft🤔

[@kiddywriter]

I have the tool to measure which allows me to reproduce the same height each time, but when throwing small bowl shapes I have difficulty reproducing the same roundness each time. Any suggestions?

[@kandiimeadows2114]

Where can I find a throwing gauge like that with a flexible tip?

[@erinrcross]

yo!!! shout out to Mr Simon Leach! Love

[@floriangadsby]

I watched his videos a lot when I was learning as a teenager and they were incredibly helpful, it’s staggering how long he’s been making videos for. Credit where credits due.

[@erinrcross]

@@floriangadsby i started in school 1995... way after school i finally discovered him (he still lived in Spain). He used to be the only potter and now, including YOU, there are so many very wonderful things and persons to see on the wheel. AMAZING

[@Brandon-ef6ei]

@@floriangadsby I loved the reference to Simon. He lives in central PA and I'm in Southeast PA. I stop by his place now and again and bring him supplies (clay, chemicals) and grab lunch. I bought a treadle wheel from him as well. He is wonderful and does have an amazing collection of videos over the years. You are both inspirational and I just discovered you today. Loving your videos, work and vibe. Cheers!

[@antonioguerrero6074]

I've noticed your wheel and hands always look relatively clean. Do you throw relatively dry? I ask because my hands and wheel aren't nearly as neat and clean. Or perhaps its the clay?

[@floriangadsby]

I’d say I’m a pretty clean potter! But, it’s also worth remembering that anything you see here is likely slightly more tidy than usual, as I have to constantly get up, clean my hands, move the camera and so on.

[@ionlypostonceayear._.5537]

Pog

[@oliviakaiser1617]

so pog

[@sahakghoukasian5849]

I am looking for a potter to make clay pots for me with the size and shape I have in mind with Yixing clay that I can supply. I will pay for making the pots in volume as we agree. Please let me know if you would do this or you know someone who can do.

[@DunoonVanRijn-dx1hr]

There is not that many potters around. 😮

[@ravichandranradhakrishnan9971]

Can you please share a weight chart

[@floriangadsby]

I'll see what I can find in my books. I have an excellent one somewhere on paper but I can't remember for the life of me where it is. Perhaps those reading might be able to source one?

[@tintism]

Here is a weight chart from Simon Leaches Pottery Handbook drive.google.com/file/d/1N7zb76xw6B6nhbEcnEfApbfhXXLt63lQ/view?usp=sharing

[@ravichandranradhakrishnan9971]

@@tintism Thank you

[@antoniagarrido449]

[@Peashe228]

I genuinely do not understand how you get them off the wheel without messing them up. That is a huge struggle for me.

[@floriangadsby]

There's a knack to it that's for sure but the type of clay you're using also makes a HUGE difference. Highly grogged, coarse clays will lift off easily, whereas very smooth stonewares and porcelains can be very tricky to take off neatly as their surfaces are so sticky. The grog helps for sure, I wouldn't necessarily treat porcelain in the same way.

[@najmeh.jomezade.79najmehjo63]

سلام من ی دانشجوی ایرانی هستم وقتی کارای شما رو دیدم یاد ی شعر ایرانی افتادم هنر تابع مرز وفرهنگ نیست هنر خلق واعجاز هر سنگ نیست هنرمند مرزش سرای دل است چه بسیار دلها، که همرنگ نیست هنرمند رسمش فدای دل است

[@DunoonVanRijn-dx1hr]

You are also South African can hear it as you pronounce words.

[@floriangadsby]

English through and through I’m afraid, I wish it wasn’t so! But I have a very plain accent.

[@MewLuka]

Bro im so sad that shorts are gettong more views than your actual videos in what you put work

[@floriangadsby]

Ah it’s alright! KZbin is pushing Shorts a lot, I’m not sure why mine picked up so much traction!

[@2degucitas]

He's so meticulous a person with OCD could watch and feel satisfied.

[@pandunayak988]

Tcs

[@NHK_silly_]

First

[@nathanlydia]

Why do you talk like a british paper boy from the 1800's lmao

[@DunoonVanRijn-dx1hr]

They are possibly people with no talent and have only made 1, Pot and never sold anything. 😮