Cone up and down (300 g)

Coning is how you align the clay particles and remove trapped air. Think of it as the final wedge, done on the wheel.

The exercise

1. Center 300 g of clay
2. Cone up: squeeze inward to push the clay into a tall, narrow cone
3. Cone down: press the top with your palm to flatten it back into a puck
4. Repeat three times without losing center

What to watch for

• The clay moves smoothly up and down without tearing
• No spiral twist visible (that means you're losing center)
• The clay feels alive under your hands: responsive, not fighting you

This motion should feel almost meditative once you get it.