Demystifying Wedging Techniques
Introduction: Unveiling the World of Wedging Clay
Today, we're diving deep into the captivating world of wedging clay. Whether you're a seasoned potter or just beginning your ceramic journey, understanding the art of wedging is crucial for creating stunning and durable pottery pieces. So, let's roll up our sleeves and explore the ins and outs of wedging clay.
What is Wedging and Why Do We Do It?
Imagine clay as a blank canvas awaiting your creative touch. Before you start molding your masterpiece, however, you need to prepare the clay through a process known as wedging. Wedging is the method of kneading and compressing clay to remove air bubbles, ensure uniform consistency, and improve plasticity. Think of it as a relaxing spa treatment for your clay, getting it ready for the artistic transformation that lies ahead.
The primary reasons we wedge clay are:
Air Bubble Eviction: As clay is dug from the earth or reclaimed from previous projects, it tends to trap air pockets. If these bubbles remain in your clay, they can cause cracks and imperfections during firing, they also make throwing or working with the clay more difficult.
Consistency Enhancement: Different parts of a clay batch might have varying moisture levels or particle distribution. Wedging homogenizes the clay's texture, making it easier to work with and creating more predictable results.
Plasticity Improvement: Wedding aligns the clay particles, making it more malleable and responsive to your artistic touch. This is especially crucial for throwing on the wheel.
Types of Wedging Techniques
Now that we understand the "why" behind wedging, let's explore the "how." There are several wedging techniques, each with its own unique flair. Two popular methods are the Spiral Wedging and the Rams Head Wedging.
Spiral Wedging: This technique resembles the motion of kneading bread dough. Follow these steps:
Place the clay on a clean surface.
Push the clay forward using the heel of your hands while applying gentle pressure.
Lift and fold the clay over itself in a fluid motion.
Give the clay a quarter turn and repeat the process. Keep rotating and kneading until the clay feels smooth and consistent, your clay should look like a shell if you’re doing it correctly.
Rams Head Wedging: Named after its distinctive shape, this method involves folding and compressing the clay to remove air and achieve uniformity.
Begin by forming a rough ball from your clay
Push the clay into the table while slightly twisting it. This creates a folding action that compresses the clay layers.
Repeat the process, turning the clay as you go, until the entire batch is well-wedged.
Friendly Tips for Successful Wedging
Prepare Your Workspace: Ensure your wedging surface is clean and smooth. Wooden wedging boards or plaster slabs are great choices.
Chunk it Up: Start with smaller clay portions to make the wedging process more manageable, especially if you're working with a large batch.
Practice Makes Perfect: Wedging is a skill that improves with practice. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you and your clay type.
To wedge or not to wedge?
I do however think that wedging can be over-emphasized, and personally, it’s not something I do a whole lot of, it really depends on the clay you’re using, what you’re making with it, and the techniques you’re using. For example, if you’re using clay fresh from the bag, then I wouldn’t bother wedging it much at all. There shouldn’t be any air bubbles and it’s likely a very nice consistency to work with. Likewise, if you’re throwing on the wheel, you can choose to forgo wedging altogether and instead simply wedge your clay on the wheel. Did you know the process of coning your clay up and down while centering does the same job as wedging? In that, it helps all the clay particles align and move in the same direction. Personally, I prefer to skip wedging and just spend a little more time coneing on the wheel, it feels more efficient as I like to really take my time centering and coneing anyway.
I discovered the truth that wedging really can be done without when I embarked on my journey with Neriage. When I was throwing with 2 different clays marbled together, I found I couldn’t wedge up my clay ball for throwing. If I did wedge them it would mix the 2 clays together too much and the marble effect was lost. So I just started throwing with unwedged balls of clay. And you know what? It was fine. Absolutely fine. Like all of us when learning ceramics the importance of wedging clay before throwing was really emphasised, and actually, as long as you don’t mind the odd clay bubble, and you’re throwing with clay from the bag not reclaim, you can really do without it.
Conclusion: Crafting with Confidence
As you embark on your clay adventures, remember that wedging is the foundation of successful pottery making. It's the nurturing step that paves the way for your artistic expressions to come to life. By mastering wedging techniques like the Spiral Wedging and Rams Head Wedging, you'll be well on your way to creating pottery that's not only visually stunning but also structurally sound.
So, gather your clay, roll up those sleeves, and let the wedging process become a soothing ritual that elevates your craft to new heights. Happy wedging and even happier potting!