The Foundation: Pulling a Cylinder
Every wheel-thrown vase starts as a cylinder. Center 2-3 pounds of clay, open the floor, and pull the walls straight up. The goal is even thickness — about a quarter inch throughout — and a consistent height all the way around. Stephen Jepson teaches that mastering the cylinder is the single most important skill on the wheel. Once you can throw a reliable cylinder, every vase form opens up to you.
Keep your hands steady, use consistent pressure, and pull slowly. Speed causes wobbles. Patience produces pots.
Shaping and Flaring
After the cylinder is established, shape from the bottom up. Push outward gently for a belly, collar inward for a neck. Flare the rim last — support the outside with one hand while opening with the other. The key is working while the clay is still wet enough to move but firm enough to hold its shape.
Hand-Built Vase Methods
Coil-Built Vases
Coil building gives you complete control over shape and size with no wheel required. Roll even coils, stack them in rings, and blend the joints smooth. You can build forms that would be impossible on a wheel — square vases, asymmetric shapes, or pieces taller than your arm span. Score and slip each coil before adding the next for a strong bond.
Slab-Constructed Vases
Roll clay flat, cut geometric shapes, and join them into angular vase forms. Slab vases have a modern, architectural quality that stands apart from round wheel-thrown work. Use a rolling pin or slab roller for consistent thickness, and let slabs firm to leather-hard before assembling.
Proportions and Balance
A well-proportioned vase follows natural ratios. The widest point is typically one-third up from the base. The neck opening is about one-third the width of the belly. The foot should be wide enough for stability but not so wide it looks heavy. Stephen Jepson emphasizes that proportion is what separates student work from professional pieces.
Trimming the Foot
Flip your leather-hard vase upside down on the wheel and trim the foot ring. A well-trimmed foot lifts the piece visually, makes it lighter, and gives it a professional finish. Trim away excess clay from the bottom, carve a foot ring about half an inch wide, and clean the transition from foot to wall.
Gallery of Vase Forms
- Bud Vase — Small, narrow neck, holds a single stem. Great beginner project using a half-pound of clay.
- Bottle Neck — Wide belly with a narrow opening. Requires collaring skills to close the form.
- Floor Vase — 18 inches or taller. Usually thrown in two sections and joined. A true test of skill.
- Flared Vase — Wide rim that opens outward. Elegant for displaying full bouquets.
- Cylinder Vase — Straight-sided, modern look. Tests your ability to pull perfectly vertical walls.