Forms · 2 min read
The shape of a cup
A familiar cup becomes more interesting when you look beyond its color.
Begin with the silhouette
Set a cup on a clear surface and observe its outline from the side. Notice the relation between its height and width, the opening and the base. A few lines on paper can record the form. Leave surface patterns out of the first sketch so that the proportions have room to speak.
Look at the handle
Observe how the handle joins the body and the space it encloses. If the cup is intended for everyday use and can be handled appropriately, lift it as you normally would. Appearance and experience may suggest different preferences. A cup that looks delicate in a photograph can feel different in your hand.
Keep use in the picture
Follow maker information about food suitability and care rather than inferring it from the glaze. Think about the amount the cup holds and where it usually sits. The most interesting form may be the one that fits your actual routine. Keep the observation connected to the way you use the object.
Written for the Clay Table Notes editorial collection. Read at your own pace.
