Unique throwing techniques for complex shapes with José Mariscal

In this module, you will get to know José María Mariscal and the structure of the course. José introduces himself and explains how the course is structured. He then demonstrates the materials and tools he uses for throwing, finishing, and creating textures. The process of wedging the clay is also discussed.

In this module, we really get to work. José starts with a complete demonstration of throwing a bulbous vase with a narrow neck from six kilos of clay. He then explains the different steps of the throwing process one by one. You will learn how to centre the clay, the most important step in the whole process, and how to open it up. José then demonstrates how to make the wall uniform in thickness and shows you his distinctive grip technique, which involves a specific hand position that enables you to compress, pull up, open, close and shape the clay. This technique is used in every phase of throwing. Next, you will learn how to pull up the wall. Finally, you will learn how to compress the base and walls to strengthen the piece and prevent cracking during drying or firing.

In this module, José delves deeper into the essential elements required to achieve high-quality shapes. You will learn how to create a firm, even base and how to shape, lengthen, narrow or close a neck without weakening the wall. José also covers collaring in, shaping while pulling up and finishing the rim. Finally, he discusses common problems and demonstrates how to recognise and correct these mistakes while throwing.

The fourth module is entirely devoted to complex shapes. Lesson by lesson, José demonstrates how he throws, shapes and finishes different pieces. You start with a round vase with a narrow open neck. Next, you move on to a large bulbous vase with a wide, flat top, for which you will need a lot of clay. Next, you will learn how to create a light-looking floating form and how to apply this technique to a large floating bowl. Then comes the classic moon jar, which José interprets in his own way. Subsequent lessons cover a wide trumpet-shaped bowl, a small bowl with a gentle curve, and a larger version of the same shape. The module concludes with two experimental pieces: the so-called ‘UFO’, which is an upside-down shape requiring great precision, and an inverted, closed shape testing your control over clay and form to the utmost.

This module focuses on safely and precisely trimming complex pieces. José will demonstrate how to create a chuck from fresh clay and how to centre your work accurately. You will then observe the process of finishing different shapes, such as the floating shape, the inverted closed shape, the bulbous vase with a narrow neck, the large curved bowl, the UFO and the bottle shape, step by step. He will discuss how to adjust the support for each piece and what to look out for in terms of dryness and stability. Finally, he reveals a decoration technique that can be used while trimming.

In this module, José presents a series of challenging projects. First, he challenges you to throw a piece as high as possible with two kilos of clay and then to make a bowl as wide as possible without it collapsing. Next, you will learn the ‘throwing off the hump’ technique, which enables you to make several small pieces without having to re-centre each time. This is followed by an extensive teapot project, covering everything from throwing the basic shape and the individual parts, to finishing and assembling the whole piece. José then demonstrates how to wet-join a tall vase in two parts, enabling you to achieve a greater height than would be possible with a single piece of clay. This is followed by three lessons on making a large pot in sections: first, throwing the lower part; then, the upper part; and finally, joining the two leather-hard parts with slip. The module concludes with a texture project in which José works with black clay and a white slip layer. Using a unique technique, he creates an eye-catching, organic surface.

The final module is entirely devoted to porcelain. Using less water and ensuring good compression are essential. In the first lesson, José demonstrates how to throw an oriental vase and then a bulbous vase. He uses a tool with small teeth to make the walls thinner and smoother. He then shows how to throw a large bulbous vase, with and without a neck. In the fourth lesson, José shows how to make thin, translucent porcelain lampshades. He then throws several cups, on a bat, to prevent deformation. In the final lesson, he makes a wide, straight bowl that could be used as a centrepiece. The emphasis here is again on perfect centring and strong compression.