#14) Pot using different clays to create marble effect

[RenosmashDozer]

cool

[ChumleyWhiplash]

hi - I've done this several times and find I like to use just a bit of colored clay to mostly white - like 75% white and 25% color, to really see the marbling. And also, try not kneading as much as you think you want to - leave the clay less mixed for a more dramatic swirl. I have also used cobalt for the colored part instead of relying on the natural colors of clay. Keep at it, you can get some really neat effects.

[offcenteredpotter]

thanks! I knead it because I worry about air bubbles. Any idea how to not knead as much and still get the effect?

[ChumleyWhiplash]

I knead each piece separately and kind of square them up, then cut them into slabs. instead of just stacking and then kneading I kind of slap the layers down on eachother, and then just knead very little, just enough to mix slightly.I've not had problems with air bubbles, (well, not with the marble clay) but you can always poke them out when throwing if you get the odd one.

[pensandcalls]

Hey, nice tip on the wooden 'scraper'. It's also nice to see mistakes and how others deal with them. Heaven knows I have my share of screw ups! I haven't tried marbling yet. I worry about different shrinkage rates and cracking. Have you seen this problem?

[offcenteredpotter]

i really havent had any problems of that sort. Also, you can use different mason stains to color the clay... that way, you're using the same clay throughout... it's just the color that's different.

[jshremshock]

thanks for the shout out ;) good wheel speed...it is quite an adjustment working with a quicker wheel..the clay responds a lot easier. Some advice about a better profile on your bowls is to push the bottom half of the walls out more than the top half... meaning if the top is opened up to far too early then you run a greater risk in suring up the profile. Nice piece by the way...turned out to be a happy accident.

[offcenteredpotter]

like Bob Ross would say... it's a happy little tree...