Before you can start throwing, you need to prepare your clay properly. This ensures the moisture inthe clay is evenly distributed, there are no air bubbles, and the clay particles are aligned evenly. Wedging is the key. There are various techniques you can use to achieve this.
You need two things for both techniques: a clean work surface, and a piece of clay. If you are using new clay, cut a piece from the pack with your cutting wire,, roughly in the shape of a brick.
Ram's head wedging
With this method, while wedging, the clay takes on the shape of an ram’s head: two eyes and a nose. Place the brick on its side, with the long side against the work surface. Cup both ends of the brick with the palms of your hands.
Push the clay away from you, against the surface. This will cause the clay to roll over itself. Pay attention, do not push the clay down.
- Use the sides of your hands to bring the clay back towards you.
- Repeat these steps several times.
- Be careful not to fold the clay on itself, as you would do with bread dough. This creates air bubbles in the clay, and that’s exactly what we want to avoid.
Be careful not to fold the clay on itself, as you would do with bread dough. After all, that creates air bubbles in the clay, and that’s exactly what we want to avoid.
Spiral wedging
This alternative method involves shaping the clay into the shape of a spiral, or shell.
- Place the brick on its side with one of the short sides against the work surface. Cup the top of the brick with your palms.
- Push the clay away from you, against the surface. his time, however, push at a slight angle to the left, rather than straight ahead.
- Use the sides of your hands to pull the clay back towards you while rotating it at the same time.
- Repeat these steps several times.
Finishing
Do you want to use the wedged clay for throwing? Then make sure you shape your piece of clay into a nice ball. After all, centring and pulling up clay is difficult enough without bumps and dents. Good luck!
