How I Center Larger Lumps of Clay

In this week's video I'm throwing a 4 kg, (8.8 lb), vase. I talk technique, new tools, learning to throw larger wares and various other topics.
I hope you enjoy the beginning section about centring larger masses of clay! It can be a challenge and I'm still definitely learning a lot making these vases.
For another video focused video, which focuses on smaller lumps of clay, watch this: • How to Center Clay - A...
📖 • PRE-ORDER MY BOOK: ow.ly/9wYn50MQXV5
📢 • Find out much more about my work here: linktr.ee/flor...
Timecodes:
0:30 - Preparing and wedging clay, (4 kg)
1:35 - DRY centring the clay
2:37 - WET centring the clay
4:15 - Opening up the lump of clay
5:40 - Lifting with the heel of my hand
6:10 - MUDTOOLS sponge
6:25 - Pulling up the walls and shaping the vase
13:27 - The finished vase, (for now).
14:04 - Clean up
•
Find out much more via the link below!
linktr.ee/flor...
•
Get in touch here: www.floriangad...
Sign up to my newsletter here: www.floriangad...

[@dorisparker811]

It is gratifying to see an experienced, professional potter go through the learning process of a new form. I am a 63 yr old woman, 115 lbs. My hands are small and have lost some strength from an injury to my dominant hand. Thank you for showing your method for centering a larger volume of clay, I want to incorporate it into my own technique.

[@bochan7355]

It’s a very professional demonstration 😊👍🏻

[@kevinskudalski5838]

I've been throwing larger pieces. This video has confirmed some of the techniques/practices I've been using, as well as give me some helpful tips. Thank you!

[@kjmurray27]

After having a go with 2kg and failing miserably, I watched this, tried your techniques on 1.8kg and succeeded. The technique I use to cone smaller amounts of clay wasn't cutting it for larger amounts and I couldn't get my head around what I needed to change so this video was immensely helpful. Thank you!

[@QuincyStlouis-ou5pi]

Been doing ceramics in school for about a year and through your videos only now I’ve started to see the beauty in fancy dirt. It’s become an unhealthy passion at this point.

[@AmbiguousEthnicity]

Always such helpful videos. Thanks for some new ideas as I’ve been working on throwing larger pieces.

[@yeetmaster3598]

Gosh, I wish I’d known all this when I was in my high school wheelthrowing class! I could never master centering large amounts of clay, so I went to smaller. I now make tiny pots (record is less than 2cm tall)

[@bamereg]

Hello Florian, thank you for another video. I hope to see a video about the glazing of this vase in the future because I am curious to see what solution you'll come up with. Maybe you could pour the glaze over the vase instead of dunking the vessel into the bucket?

[@floriangadsby]

Thanks for watching! I'll see what I can do glazing video wise... pouring is a good option but it's tricky to get a lovely, uniform surface with that technique, especially with my glazes, a spray booth might be a good option but they're costly things!

[@juanQuedo]

centering that looks like a good workout

[@andrewnicon]

This really makes me want to try a pottery class. I tried it in high school but I just couldn't do it, and these tips would have really helped me I think. My bowls kept collapsing flat, hah.

[@triciac1019]

Watch lots of videos on how to make bowls.

[@OrixMovies]

Lovely 👌🏻

[@SodiumCl431]

Loved getting to see some of your thoughts on throwing larger pieces. I’ve just started to have the confidence to work with a little more clay, but it’s still pretty intimidating!

[@EmilyKirkegaard]

Thanks for sharing such a technical video! Your explanations of different techniques are so helpful for aspiring potters ☺

[@floriangadsby]

My pleasure, thanks so much for watching Emily.

[@a_little_wizard]

Thank you for such an informative video! I’ll be taking my first wheel class soon and the tips in your videos are very much appreciated! Your channel is very inspiring

[@xbaczewska4197]

That was intense! 40 cm ain't anything to sniff at! I am nowhere near but love seeing it. I love the speed of your wheel. I learned on a kick, so use the speed to center then slow way down. Different strokes for different folks, but I often (silently!) wonder if some of my classmates might benefit from that greater control.

[@simonferrara9186]

Hi Florian, I love your work. I saw you have a Rohde hmt600 but it seems you prefer throwing on your old one, may I ask you why? Is the new one not as comfortable? Thanks, Simon x

[@floriangadsby]

The new one is really my porcelain wheel, whereas the 500 is my stoneware work horse. That being said… the 500 is slightly quieter, which for filming is helpful. I also prefer the wider tray it has, as it just makes tidying it up quicker and easier. That’s it though, both are truly fantastic wheels.

[@countrygirlpottery4793]

I love your work... I throw on a style of wheel used over 1000 years ago in which I have to consistently keep kicking it and I use both feet so throwing very tall can be very challenging. Watching you helps very much as I learn so much from you! Thank you for sharing! 😊

[@triciac1019]

What a workout you get!

[@octaviaengres]

Thank you very much for your guidance. I am having problems with larger amounts of clay. It is a frustrating mild nightmare.

[@alexandraframe6493]

I absolutely love watching you. I learn so much and I live vicariously through you when your pulling your pieces, I don’t have access to a wheel and I found a table top for $250 Canadian. I don’t a place to put and most importantly the money. So I’ll live through your videos. I bought your book it hasn’t been released yet, I preordered. I started doing slab work again. I had the biggest adrenaline rush, it was so much fun. Sorry this so long I’m pump about pottery.

[@lindatortorice9356]

Just moving to work with large lumps of clay. Very helpful pointers.

[@meretekotyk636]

Can you talk more about having your left arm so far down in the pot and still having it stable? Or is the only stability through the pot feeling your right hand?

[@robertobreve8623]

Great tips for vases have you done vases with thin heads? and how would you trim them, since you cannot put them upside down.

[@lpthomp1956]

You never cease to amaze!!! Painstakingly gorgeous piece!

[@XibaXela]

I knew it would be that sponge when you mentioned one on insta 😂

[@adarfrida]

Lovely video! I recently started making bigger pieces and this video was really informative! Thank you :)

[@Alex_0Z]

super helpful im trying to get up to 10 lbs!

[@DunoonVanRijn-dx1hr]

Mud tools is very expensive. So is Mayco etcetera

[@chrisparkin6894]

Check out using a spray gun...so much easier to get good coverage 😊 Love your work ❤️

[@sock_is_konfused9711]

One day Mr. Gatsby really could just start screaming and terrify us all

[@floriangadsby]

Haha, a jump-scare in the middle of a video? Don't go giving me ideas!

[@martinakrumalova6270]

Greate tip for bigginers too. :) Thank you Florian! :😉 I should to try it soon....

[@cesarwettern6422]

Tu trabajo es espectacular! felicitaciones! Saludos desde Argentina! 😃👍

[@stevenhalem659]

Great video Florian. Thanks for sharing. Just curious, how much clay did you start with to get that height?

[@floriangadsby]

Thanks Steven! It’s 4 kg of clay, I think I mention it at the start of the video.

[@h2k6]

It’s on screen, bottom left 0.15 seconds in.

[@TazPessle]

I love this channel so much. Relaxed. Educational. Authentic.👌

[@floriangadsby]

Really appreciate that Johanne, kind words!

[@aLbInO-dk7m]

That was satisfying ngl

[@DunoonVanRijn-dx1hr]

These are the only lessons I watch, there are so many people on here that are not really educated enough to learn from.

[@morbek1]

Thanks! I hope you have a great week

[@floriangadsby]

Thank you Morgan - you too!

[@oktaycelik2397]

Slm süper

[@orocovis17]

Thanks!

[@グリーンルベラ]

動画ありがとうございました。

[@proxycase]

DOG SPOTTED at 9:20🐕😍

[@barbararobinson2201]

Thank you

[@floriangadsby]

Thanks for watching, Barbara!

[@nadiafadiga6779]

You are such an amazing potter! As a highschool student still learning the best ways to throw your videos are so helpful in teaching me and giving me the motivation to keep going!

[@floriangadsby]

Nadia! Thank you so much! Good luck potting and thanks for taking your precious time to watch.