In this installment of the Ceramic Arts Daily Presents video series, Paul Donnelly shares his varied techniques for making pottery that functions well both aesthetically and in use. Using his tea trays – a cup and saucer set with an expanded tray for a snack or a spoon – as examples, Paul demonstrates how he works from idea, to design, to construction to create practical, yet beautiful objects. Paul begins on the wheel, his preferred method for forming vessels, and demonstrates how to create a “double volume” in which the interior of the form is different from the exterior. With attention to shape, form, and proportion, he explains his trimming and handle-making processes, as well as how he activates his surfaces with carving and sprigging techniques. Paul also explains how he uses variable molds for slip casting, which can be reconfigured into a number of shapes and allow for continual exploration of form and shape. The variety in Paul’s methods provides something for everyone!
Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Throwing Cups
Chapter2 - Trimming Cups
Chapter 3 - Decorating Cups
Chapter 4 - Handles
Chapter 5 - Making a Saucer Tray
Chapter 6 - Making a Slipcast Tray
Conclusion
Paul Donnelly is a studio potter residing in Kansas City, MO. He is currently an assistant professor of Ceramics at the Kansas City Art Institute working with students in the vessel concentration. He earned his BFA from Edinboro University in 1997, and his MFA from the The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 2008. He has participated in residency programs at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia; The Pottery Workshop in Jingdezhen, China; and Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, ME. He has exhibited both nationally and internationally and has been published in numerous books and periodicals. To learn more about Paul Donnelly and see images of his work, please visit www.pauldonnellyceramics.com.
“Wow. [The Stroke and The Splash] is such an informative and helpful video. As usual, professional and well thought out demonstrations by Mr. Scott. This video alone is worth the price of my CLAYflicks membership.” -William
“I’m not a total beginner but I learned several techniques that I plan to implement.” -Kathleen
“OMG! This is fantastic! Mel [Griffin], you are such a good teacher and are so fun! I love the gestural impressions around the drawing. Mel’s tips while drawing are so helpful. Thanks, Mel!” -Beverly
“Merci beaucoup pour tout ce partage de techniques et de conseil!!! [Thank you very much for all this sharing of techniques and advice!!!]” -Suarez
“Great. I love it. So much to learn in a short and beautifully presented clip.” -ADI
“These conversational workshops mixed with handling and demonstration were magical to watch and truly inspirational. It’s wonderful that they have been recorded for us to watch via clay flicks. Thank you so much.” -Joanna
“The videos are an excellent way to bring out more creativity that I feel I sometimes lack. Love, love, love watching and learning from such patient teachers in the videos” -anonymous
“Thank you very much for this tutorial. Sam [Scott]’s instructions and considerations are so generous and obviously developed through a lot of experience. I really appreciate how explains the “why” of his various processes.” -Kathleen
“Keep doing them (videos). I can’t get anything like them in Australia and I have learned so much! -LM, Australia
“Whether you are a new potter or a seasoned one, there is information for everyone.” -M
“For me your videos have been extremely valuable! My minor in college was ceramics, but we didn’t learn anything like what I’m getting out of the videos! So keep them coming.” -KLI
“All together charming!” -TG, Arizona
“Worth every penny! Lots of great “small gifts” of technique and details of finishing a piece to make it look professionally done.” -MB, South Carolina
“Keep on doing what you’re doing with encouraging a variety of ceramic artists to share their knowledge via your video productions…and I’ll keep enjoying & adding to my library of your videos. You’re doing great!” -KIB. Washington
“We want more. It’s so good!” -M, France, Cannes
“The level of difficulty in the video was what I expected, and then some. Some was a challenge which is what I wanted. I wanted to learn something completely new and this was the perfect answer.” -KHB, California
“Very inspiring. Techniques were demonstrated clearly. I’ve already incorporated some of them in my work.” -Angela. NY
Subscribe to CLAYflicks!
Search CLAYflicks
Watch Preview:
In this installment of the Ceramic Arts Daily Presents video series, Paul Donnelly shares his varied techniques for making pottery that functions well both aesthetically and in use. Using his tea trays – a cup and saucer set with an expanded tray for a snack or a spoon – as examples, Paul demonstrates how he works from idea, to design, to construction to create practical, yet beautiful objects. Paul begins on the wheel, his preferred method for forming vessels, and demonstrates how to create a “double volume” in which the interior of the form is different from the exterior. With attention to shape, form, and proportion, he explains his trimming and handle-making processes, as well as how he activates his surfaces with carving and sprigging techniques. Paul also explains how he uses variable molds for slip casting, which can be reconfigured into a number of shapes and allow for continual exploration of form and shape. The variety in Paul’s methods provides something for everyone!
Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Throwing Cups
Chapter2 - Trimming Cups
Chapter 3 - Decorating Cups
Chapter 4 - Handles
Chapter 5 - Making a Saucer Tray
Chapter 6 - Making a Slipcast Tray
Conclusion
Total runtime: approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes
Gallery
About the Author
Paul Donnelly
CLAYflicks Video Topics
Beginner Pottery Techniques
Intermediate Pottery Techniques
Advanced Pottery Techniques
Ceramic Decorating Techniques
Ceramic Glazing Techniques
Ceramic Kilns
Ceramic Sculpture
Glaze Chemistry
Handbuilding Techniques
Making Ceramic Molds
Wheel Throwing Techniques
Interviews & Conversations
QUICKflicks
Sights & Ceramics™
Studio Business
Studio Tours
Talking Clay™
Workshop from Home™
“Wow. [The Stroke and The Splash] is such an informative and helpful video. As usual, professional and well thought out demonstrations by Mr. Scott. This video alone is worth the price of my CLAYflicks membership.” -William
“I’m not a total beginner but I learned several techniques that I plan to implement.” -Kathleen
“OMG! This is fantastic! Mel [Griffin], you are such a good teacher and are so fun! I love the gestural impressions around the drawing. Mel’s tips while drawing are so helpful. Thanks, Mel!” -Beverly
“Merci beaucoup pour tout ce partage de techniques et de conseil!!! [Thank you very much for all this sharing of techniques and advice!!!]” -Suarez
“Great. I love it. So much to learn in a short and beautifully presented clip.” -ADI
“These conversational workshops mixed with handling and demonstration were magical to watch and truly inspirational. It’s wonderful that they have been recorded for us to watch via clay flicks. Thank you so much.” -Joanna
“The videos are an excellent way to bring out more creativity that I feel I sometimes lack. Love, love, love watching and learning from such patient teachers in the videos” -anonymous
“Thank you very much for this tutorial. Sam [Scott]’s instructions and considerations are so generous and obviously developed through a lot of experience. I really appreciate how explains the “why” of his various processes.” -Kathleen
“Keep doing them (videos). I can’t get anything like them in Australia and I have learned so much! -LM, Australia
“Whether you are a new potter or a seasoned one, there is information for everyone.” -M
“For me your videos have been extremely valuable! My minor in college was ceramics, but we didn’t learn anything like what I’m getting out of the videos! So keep them coming.” -KLI
“All together charming!” -TG, Arizona
“Worth every penny! Lots of great “small gifts” of technique and details of finishing a piece to make it look professionally done.” -MB, South Carolina
“Keep on doing what you’re doing with encouraging a variety of ceramic artists to share their knowledge via your video productions…and I’ll keep enjoying & adding to my library of your videos. You’re doing great!” -KIB. Washington
“We want more. It’s so good!” -M, France, Cannes
“The level of difficulty in the video was what I expected, and then some. Some was a challenge which is what I wanted. I wanted to learn something completely new and this was the perfect answer.” -KHB, California
“Very inspiring. Techniques were demonstrated clearly. I’ve already incorporated some of them in my work.” -Angela. NY
Leave a comment