The more you throw, the better you will become. Throwing is a skill that requires a great deal of practice to master. After a long series of cylinders and simple vase forms, though, you may desperately want to do something a bit different.
Throwing bowls is technically more difficult than either vases or cylinders. This is due to the propensity of the clay on the wheel to want to spread out horizontally. Although it may seem that this would make throwing a bowl shape easier, the truth is that it is harder to control. The clay can get away from you, moving outward too far and too fast, which results in collapse.
When first learning to control the centrifugal force, I find throwing flat-sided bowls, similar to many oriental bowl shapes, a good shape with which to begin.
You will need: 1 pound of clay, a canvas or plaster surface (if your clay needs to be wedged), a potter's wheel, water or slurry, a sheep's wool sponge, a 2 inch by 3 inch piece of chamois, a cutting wire, and a wooden trimming tool with a wedge point. Toweling to wipe your hands on is optional but a very good idea.
If your clay was not mixed in a de-airing pug mill, wedge your clay on a clean canvas or plaster surface. After you have fully wedged your clay, about 50 cuts or 50 kneading strokes, shape the clay into a smooth ball, oval, or cone.
