Characteristics of Throwing Clay Bodies
Throwing on the potter’s wheel makes some heavy demands on clay bodies. There are three key characteristics necessary for a clay body to work well for throwing. Throwing clays must have a high degree of plasticity, they cannot absorb too much water while being thrown, and they must be strong enough to hold their shape while being worked.Plasticity The absolutely crucial characteristic of all clays used for throwing is that of plasticity. Without a very high level of flexibility, the clay simply won’t be workable on the wheel. Even moderately plastic clays can take a toll on the potter’s hands and wrists, due to the strength and pressure required to make the clay move. Ball clays are highly plastic and are often used in throwing clay bodies.
