How To Make A Cylinder - Beginners guide to getting more HEIGHT on the WHEEL!

[@billycrawlish8613]

As a beginner (inspired to get into pottery by your videos) its great to see you do basic instruction videos. Very helpful...thanks for thinking of us newbies.

[@tamarascutcheon4710]

Your videos helped me through some tough times with depression earlier this year. I’m now into my second term in a beginners pottery class and love being creative again. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion 🙂

[@debraanderson9570]

Thank, thank, thank for this cylinder video. Especially cutting the cylinder in half and demonstrating the proper finger placement for pulling. I am working on being consistent and getting more height. Love the finished vessels with your embellishment.

[@teralee4987]

I would love to see a beginner tutorial video on how to shape your cylinder into different styles of mugs. I find when I create different shaped mugs, it happens purely by accident and I can never really recreate it successfully

[@marydaley1906]

I am a late starter to pottery. I finished my degree in 2002 at 50 years old and took a pottery class for mat arts requirement. I loved it. Well, life got in the way and took another class at a local studio last spring. I have been taking hadn't building and wheel throwing classes for a year. My pots look like beginners but I enjoy it. For Christmas my children bought me a Shampoo wheel. Long story short.... I have been overdosing on your beginner videos. They are very very helpful. A lot of what you say/said was also said in classes I have taken but to see the video and to be able to play it over and over is very helpful. Hopefully, I'll see steady progress as I practice, practice, practice.

[@arielkent2582]

I’d love to see something on stains, and slips and maybe the art of pulling handles by hand- aka The bane of my existence!

[@marykidd5666]

Thank you of all thank yous. I've taken 2 pottery classes and watched hundreds of KZbin videos and NOBODY has ever talked about letting up pressure towards the top when pulling. This is a breakthrough for me

[@arlenehunt9964]

Right!! That helps

[@benpatterson4452]

Starting off, in college ceramics, we also had to make a 10 inch cylinder. We however, did not have to make 10! I've seen a potter cylinder challenge, with the rules as follows: Create a 12 inch cylinder. Use only 2lbs. of clay. Only three pulls allowed (Not including any forming/ collaring). I have tried it, but can't quite do it. I've seen videos of other potters, who make it look effortless. One suggestion, I would have for making, quite a few forms on the wheel, make sure you are using softer clay! When I first started teaching, I would spend way too long centering, because I was using clay, that had dried a bit, in the bag. I thought it was just inexperience, but even as I got better, the initial steps were difficult. It wasn't until years later, when I actually tried some fresher clay, that I realized how much extra work I was giving myself. If you can't easily cone the clay, like Jon was doing in his video, you clay is too dry. Drier clay is alright, for large, complex forms, that need to be able to support their weight during the process, but for smaller, simpler forms, go soft. Your wrists will thank you!

[@MikeTheMaker1]

I enjoy your humbleness and willingness to help others and admit that you aren’t the only potter in the world.

[@jmanderson1311]

Great video. It really helped when you explained precisely where your fingers should be placed to get the walls up. That’s the thing I’m currently struggling with. You make it look so easy! Thanks again!

[@julies4106]

Thank you for this video!! I'm a newbie, and I love that you cut the cylinder open, to show us from the inside how you pull the clay up!!

[@darianlosey2364]

I know this video is 3 years old but it is still very helpful for me. I think it is exactly what I needed to help me with my struggles on the wheel. I usually keep the same amount of pressure when I pull up the clay from the bottom to the top, the rim gets thin and floppy and I lose it even as bowls. I hadn't thought about changing the amount of pressure as I pull up which I will do now. Thanks so much!

[@katlady5000]

Very helpful thank you. Would like a video on carving techniques and tricks.

[@krishughes-craig2575]

OMG! Thank you. I just went back to university to finish my BFA after 30yrs. I've been struggling with cylinders. This is hands down the most indepth tutorial. Thank you from Cape Cod!!!

[@sunilrai6986]

'To finish your Bfa after 30 yrs' That's inspiring! All the best!

[@loveandlight4875]

Hi John, basically a new putter I’m throwing on the wheel. I’m having the hardest time centering the clay also when trimming I also have a hard time selling the place no yesterday I threw a ball and the side walls or uneven . So yesterday I attempted to throw 4 pounds . I wanted to make a tall vessel like you did on this video, but ended up throwing a sick plate. I have never taken any pottery classes just learning on line . John and I would love if you made a video about century in the clay when you’re throwing it in Center in the clay when you’re dreaming that would be so helpful. By the way, I am you at your channel and I love it. You are so informative and encouraging. Thank you.

[@Hannah-vk4ti]

Please do a standing vs sitting wheel video. I'm currently switching back an forth trying to decide what is better for me. You can have pros and cons on each

[@allenlallier822]

Ask your back what it thinks, that is probably the deciding factor.

[@sheepsrubberpants]

Hannah Lowe I stand as I find the sitting position to much for my lower back. I’be shifted my feet into a position that I find comfortable and off I go.

[@kittenhello245]

@@allenlallier822 my legs are too short, I have to put things under my heels to prop my legs up to rest my arms on them. I should probably try standing.

[@jessicaalesso3653]

JTP, you have been my pandemic lifesaver! I teach high school ceramics and the kiddos love your videos. Thanks for keeping it fun and informative. I'm always looking for great videos on making handles that don't get too...saucy. Teenagers always get the giggles when I demonstrate the hand-building "milking the cow" version of pulling handles! Thanks for sharing your pottery passion :o)

[@alexandercantrell1273]

How did you go about getting a teaching degree in ceramics

[@mayhem_mandy]

Super helpful! Thanks for taking the time to show cylinders.

[@lily.m7486]

Thanks John! I just started a ceramics course and we are learning cylinders, great video :) love to see more beginner videos like this!

[@meganculhane5351]

Beginner here! We have a project to throw 10 cylinders 10 inches too! This helped a lot. Glad I found your channel. Subscribed!! Thank you!

[@Jonthepotter]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@cyndihesse64]

I'm new to the wheel and this has been very helpful to watch. need to get back to the studio and try it out!

[@catwoolf11]

I'm a beginner and if you really want to know what I think or what I struggle with....call me childish, but it's trying to ignore or not hear or see all the sexual innuendos during pottery tutorials. You've been doing this so long you probably don't even notice any more. Other than that, I think you're a great instructor and fun to watch. I like how you spent time and the end talking about finger placement because sometimes I think I might get my fingers on the outside switched around. Keep up the good work!

[@copelandnn]

Fun instructional video! Could you go over other shapes to throw, throwing techniques, types of clay and pros and cons of each, and basics of glazes/glazing

[@abdrema7272]

Great video! I’m a beginner and this was super helpful…esp when you cut inside and showed your hand placement. Love your videos!

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

excellent - thank you - as a beginner - I struggle with knowing how much to leave at the bottom of a pot so I end up with a lot to turn at leather hard. But that was really interesting xxx

[@robertstewart3862]

That’s a great I just found your channel and subscribed to I just threw my first two cylinder’s by myself at a class that im taking inCampinas, Brazil .. and my instructor is Japanese with a great way of teaching ive been a silversmith for 30 yrs and got burned out on it then went into the Leather craft a great bunch of folks, but last month was my birthday and I was given a class at a really cool art school so this was so cool .. as soon as I held that clay in my hand it was like I finally found it man something that grounded me, is the only way that I can explain it…. So this video that you just did was right on for me to those are exactly what happened with me today.. But I just fixed it with a little bit of finesse and then I had my first planter… I had bought a iron cross begonias from there last month at I’m going to do some propagation and I hope that my new planter is going to have some cool underglaze stuff on it for the new begonias…. I am going to be up watching more of your videos…. Thanks for doing this man , I really like the stuff that I’ve seen so far from you man…. Talk to you later….

[@dianeowen-smith8824]

Thank you very much for this very informative video. I am new and struggle pulling up. You have explained it so well by cutting the cylinder in half and showing where your fingers are placed. Thanks again

[@lisalawn1111]

Bam! Inspired to be at the wheel tomorrow. Very helpful technique for pulling clay up from the bottom! Thanks Jon!!!

[@sharonatseanicstudios9970]

I have not yet made a cylinder but will try one tonight. Thank you for the video.

[@sharonpollack1119]

This has been really great as a refresher. I haven’t done wheel throwing in 20 years. Just got my first ever wheel for a home studio😀. I love pottery.

[@billthompson4718]

Reducing pressure when getting to the top of the pot. WHY didn’t anyone ever say that in a class? After seeing this, the very next day I was at the studio trying this consciously. (I’ve only been at this 3 months since my first class). Amazing! Thank you so much.

[@islandgirrrl1]

The new studio is so inspirational! I've been a viewer since your first 6 months & I LOVE your idea of doing more-detailed beginner tutorials! If I may make a wee suggestion - breaking throwing down into STEPS (& less frequently speeding up the video) would be really helpful since it's aimed at those learning. I don't mean to criticize - you're my fave pottery KZbinr to watch, I just want to provide my thoughts in case it's helpful, since you asked. Even though I've done a couple of adult classes, since I and so many other beginner/intermediate people have so much difficulty with it, would you please explain what steps you do as you transition from putting the hole in the middle to doing the repeated pull-ups? After compressing the floor, do you squeeze the whole thing to make it more narrow before trying to pull clay up ? Should we aim to minimize the times we collar-in since it causes unevenness at the rim? It's hard to know how to manage such a thick, low wall at first. What base width is ideal (compared to the end size goal) when a) finishing centering, b) as you widen the hole to compress the floor, c) just before the repeated pull-ups? 2-How do you trim the bottom of tall things? Sorry this got long - I'm so enthused to learn what seems intuitive for you since you've had years of practice! :) PS: LOVE, LOVE your carvings! How to glaze them?

[@jeanetteporter7471]

I like that you did this. Sometimes watching videos it seems your pots are so much bigger than mine but I think this was good for a guide.

[@cindicopeland9731]

You are so comfortable in front of the camera so your videos are terrific- educational as well as entertaining!

[@lovisawahlineriksson3519]

I’ll be taking a pottery class for beginners this fall and I’m so glad I found your videos. They are inspiring and fun and I really look forward to create my own cylinder, twisted mug, plates.. 😃

[@barazoku9109]

Going back to school in a few days and I haven't done ceramics for almost 3 months now so this video is super helpful! Thanks! :D So looking forward to it again!!

[@zorgon2426]

Carving techniques, lidded jars, cutting and altering thrown pieces! Any of these would be awesome! Thanks so much for the awesome video as always!! So helpful and inspiring!! :D

[@lindabeebe7065]

I just got a great deal on a wheel. Haven’t thrown in years! I’ve never been told or shown by anyone how to really get that clay from the bottom. This was valuable. I am seriously praying for a great deal on a kiln now and that I’ll have finances available, otherwise, I won’t be throwing anything without being able to finish the pieces. 😕

[@drurafkin920]

So appreciate your videos and your style of teaching. Just started a wheel class. Really good a making unintentional 4” tall “spoon rests” lol. Will keep watching & practicing.

[@PamelaRoss-qh6jh]

Jon-- As this video is 4 years old, I imagine that you've since added info about establishing the thickness of the floor of the pot. It's a question I'm always asked. so, I use the simple pin tool method to measure. They get it. Keep up the great work...

[@cotraeger1719]

Super helpful! Thanks Jon! I’m a beginner and tend to make my cylinders go way too wide.

[@susienelson2196]

sweet vid JTP. I have been taking classes here where i live in north carolina on the outer banks for the last 2 years- my friend and I just scored a full studio set up and we are just now in the new phase of starting to sell pottery. its soooo fun! We are stoked and love your vids! Im originally from MN and come home every year so I am going to have to come check out Mocha Monkey! you sound like all my friends back home and its sweet to hear your MN accent/vibe!

[@renerosso2549]

Hey Jon. Thank you for your videos and this one in particular. As a beginner, I can't seem to throw a cylinder. I always spread the clay out. After this video, I feel like I know what to work on now.

[@maddythemo]

Thanks Jon! This was super helpful. I’ve been having issues pulling, and this was a great visual!!

[@christiewilder9057]

Thank you! Looking forward to more beginner videos. Would like to see video of pros/cons of sitting vs standing to throw. 😊

[@katherineantinucci4748]

Just learned how to make a cylinder and am ecstatic! Mine is a lot smaller but I'll keep practicing! Thanks, Jon.

[@beecoracha]

I’m a new beginner in pottery and love to see your videos cause I’m planning to make a tall cylinder .For now i made only a short cylinder.Thank you for sharing your video very informative

[@wcouch8]

I love this channel. All credit to my teacher for this time ... Set up a mirror to watch your pulls. Practice making the the space between the finger marks ssmmmoooootthhhh.

[@6Nursingschool]

Love this video! Thanks John, still trying to get my pieces to be less bottom heavy, some great tips in this one!

[@debzfiedler6100]

Beginner videos -- YAY!!!!!! Many thanks for this, JTP!

[@julietaillefer5230]

Thanks for sharing how much height to expect from the amount of clay you use!

[@lesleyhogg376]

Thank you so much for this video! I’m going to try throwing some cylinders in class and try throwing ten 10” cylinders. I’d also love to see a video on what you think some good beginner projects are or projects to take someone from beginner to intermediate. Thanks!!

[@raquelreyes4325]

This vid makes me want to take ceramics again and learn how to throw better! Mugs, bowls, vessels! 👍 Love your channel!

[@lauradavenport8199]

I’ve been throwing about two months and cylinders are my hardest things. All of my clay wants to be a bowl. Lol. Thank you for your great explanation. I’ve learned most of my skills just from watching KZbin videos. Hopefully I’ll be able to take a class some day 🙂

[@michellem2517]

Mine do too, and what I have been doing is kind of leaning towards my left to keep from going to a bowl. Leaning, use t-rex arms with my left elbow pushed my thigh. I kinda need to do that so my hands are at 4 o clock. My legs are also very short so I put a brick under my left foot.

[@deborahdouglas6260]

I subscribed recently- I absolutely love the videos, have been picking up great tips from you and love your energy. Keeping it interesting. I recently retired and have always wanted to do pottery I now have the opportunity - I am a beginner on the wheel , don't get enough time to practice but I keep trying. Centering is my biggest problem, I have very small hands and its hard to wrap my hands around the clay to center, but I keep trying ! Loved your centering video. Thank You !

[@karmabevelhimer8511]

Height / Large is my current obstacle. 10" cylinder and 10" vase are as big as I've gotten over the past 14 months of learning to throw clay. Thanks for the tips. And love your constant enthusiasm.

[@voro_738]

Now i'm actually considering taking a pottery class mostly because of your videos! And you gave me some hope that maybe i could make a living as an artist. You are a great inspiration, thank you! (also completely irrelevant, but i just noticed that your eyes are so beautiful! (eyeliner would look great on you))

[@desmond9168]

Really enjoyed that! That’s my main prob? Getting it away from the bottom! Great to see you’re able to stand throwing? I prefer to do it that way too! Keep up the good work, John!

[@piratehalfdroid7370]

I am honestly addicted to your videos despite the fact that I am addicted to plants!

[@sheepsrubberpants]

Can’t believe I missed this video. Thanks, you’ve given me help with my pulling up. 👍🇬🇧

[@Alexander-rq9he]

I struggle with making cylinders that are bottom-heavy so your advice about “slamming that clay in” (especially the sound effects) is really going to help me…thanks 🙏

[@kdd6209]

Really good video , very impressed as a newbie

[@raulrpgz]

😱 O.M.G. Dude! Learning to throw on the wheel only from KZbin (crazy, I know) for two weeks now and i can finally pull a decent wall thanks to your video! Biggest take away for me was the importance forcing in FROM THE BASE on the outside :) Now I can’t believe that was not stressed in several other tutorial videos. My level of excitement 🥳 is pretty ridiculous 🤪-THANK YOU! - Raúl

[@robertcole1098]

That's a great instructional video Jon, I'm sure it will help improve my throwing. Cheers Bob 🇬🇧

[@pencilpanda]

Yaay! Beginner videos :D I am just trying to learn as much as possible before starting with my first pottery class in October :D Vids like this help a lot!

[@freddiemoretti8456]

NEED TO SET ASIDE A CYLINDER THROWING DAY........THANKS FOR THE REMINDER........ GUESS I'LL HAVE TO SLICE A FEW WHICH I HAVE NOT DONE YET......HAVING TOO MUCH FUN FINISHING THEM ALL OFF.......... THANKS FOR SHARING AND SPENDING TIME ON THE DETAIL. WILL BE ABLE TO POSITION MY FINGERS WHEN I SLICE SOME UP TO GET THE VISION AND THE FEEL COMBINED 2 LB........10 INCH SHALL BE DONE

[@0nyxr0se]

You make this look so easy it's crazy *.*

[@studio8315]

Thank you for doing this beginner video. Super helpful.

[@mom2mmpt]

Your shelving and wall behind you is very cool!

[@JD-od8jn]

Thanks. I have been making drinking vessels lately, struggling to get past 6 1/2- 7 inches. Going to apply your tips.

[@victoriamiskolczy6336]

I’ve been told to roll the outside hand gradually inwards above the inner hand, and inwards over the edge, when I get to the top of the clay... FWIW to achieve a straight cylinder that’s not flaring out... Just another way to word what you also said.

[@shirleycirio6897]

This is a particularly helpful and informative video at precisely the right time !! :)

[@murrygans1786]

This is an excellent video. Thank you very much. I am inspired to get into the pottery and start practicing. Many thanks!,

[@paulshorey9639]

Amazing lesson. Thank you very much!

[@loyallabradors]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@sadhuskat2087]

He has beautiful man hands and has started educating beginners is nice idea

[@user-xv8gf3kc5u]

very helpful 👍🏻

[@FFSS60]

Jon-What do you focus on most as you are pulling (when not teaching, of course!) Thank you!

[@evejanney3099]

As a beginner, one of my teacher's told me to visualize pulling toward the center to help with the cylinder moving straight up vs. out to a bowl (which happens to me more times than not). It seems to work for me so far :-)

[@lynnhoffmann3273]

Hi Jon, wanna see your water bowl and your thinking on that little side pocket 😊

[@brandyr772]

This isnthe video I've needed!!! The bottom is always my problem area!!! Ive wondered why my base is always messy. Thanks for helping understand! Just pshh, jab the finger to push it up from bottom. 😂

[@brandyr772]

Also, the highest I've thrown is as tall as my thumb goes pulling up because I lock the top of my hands to steady as I pull up 🤦‍♀️ which obviously cannt be good when going for height. I'll learn, hopefully. Lol

[@samarahand6025]

Thank you for this video, so helpful for a newbie 😁

[@polkadottedpolak]

Happy Monday!

[@ravena3235]

Thank you for doing this!! I'm curious about pottery and your videos are inspiring me to get into it!! Could you make a video about all the equipment needed??

[@staceem]

Super great tutorial. Thank you Jon! :)

[@brendawiles7459]

Love your videos. I have trouble with trimming. I don’t like using clay to hold my piece in place while I trim because I have a difficult time getting the bits of clay off the piece I’ve trimmed.

[@ditteni15]

I love your positive energy!

[@tenzinngado5290]

Yeahhh teach us like that, I love watching n learn those things.

[@Floreypottery]

Another trick for beginners is to use your needle tool to check you bottoms depth then re sponge and it will fill right back in

[@ashleygreen6631]

Hi I just started to watching you so I was watching a older video where your kilte Shelf broke and some of you mugs got stuck together so if that ever happened again just use them for herbs planters and I really love your videos

[@judykonopka9029]

Do you normally throw standing up? I just tried it, and loved it!

[@eileenknapik6264]

I'm so frustrated with the wheel right now. My tallest cylinder is probably 3 inches. Switching to slab construction for a while. I don't suppose you'd like to do any videos on hand building would you? I'd love that.

[@janehough4054]

Love your videos! I'm curious why you don't compress the bottom of your cylinders on the inside. I always tell my students to do this so they don't get an S crack as it dries. Thanks for sharing!

[@jeannettehoward7990]

Thanks for sharing, not long throwing.. cylinders are hard for me..

[@bessreinemanbruton8030]

Love your videos. As a beginner, I want more information on the type of clays. And the pros and cons. Which clay is easier to use for a beginner? Is one type of clay better for cups, etc? Thanks

[@janetparker6524]

Great video - thanks! As a newbie, this is all a challenge... Also, for future tasks - can you talk about pug mills? Again, appreciate the beginner lessons.

[@lisakmetzger]

I find it SO hard to dig in from the bottom and bring the clay up. I end up wasting a lot of clay. And then pieces feel like they go off centre. Often end up with super thin walls halfway up, wonky off-centre rims, and a crap ton of clay at the bottom. I’ve gotten better results from using a bendy rib to pull up. Probably just need more practice. But any other tips or tools that help?

[@michaelscott-wx7ww]

of course practice is always the answer to these things, but i find that making sure the wall of your pot is clearly somewhat perpendicular to the bat helps. if theres a slope at the bottom of your pot that blends it into the bat, it makes it difficult to really dig in at the bottom. if youre already at the point where your pot is made and you cant get anymore up but its still thick at the bottom, using a wooden tool to cut off a ring of clay from the bottom always lightens up a piece. use this sparingly though, as its almost a “cheater” way of avoiding pulling up the bottom clay haha :)

[@TerriMcCaul]

One thing that I have found is using a wet sponge to help keep the clay wet as I am pulling up prevents friction buildup and allows a smoother transition. You can even stop part of the way up and re-wet the sponge. Also, check your wheel speed. Too fast and it will tend to fly to the outside. Too slow and you might try to pull up faster than the wheel is going and cause a crease or thin/weakened wall.

[@reanneorourke3542]

Thanks Jon, loved it 🙌🏻

[@katherineniotis4900]

John I have never done any Cilinders or thrown on a wheel because it kinda scares me lol ...I tried it in High School and it kind of intimidated me! Lol 🙂☺

[@emilygoodwin5723]

thank you so much Jon, Great video, I am a beginner wheel potter but very experienced with hand/ slab building. How do you deal with warpage? I think it might also be useful if you could do a how to fire, but manual video!