For me, the creative clay process begins first thing every morning with a cup of coffee and a notebook. Still in my sleepy slumber, I scribble away drawing designs and pottery forms on scrap pages of paper. If I like one of my designs I take it further and draw it on graph paper, estimate the dimensions and weight of the clay necessary. By drawing on graph paper, straight on, I can see the two dimensional proportions of the foot, belly, shoulder and lip of the pot. This is a simple technique I learned while working in a production pottery. After creating a few pots on the wheel, I note the actual weights and dimensions with a ruler. These notes and drawings also make an easy reference to go back to in the future to produce similar works of relative proportion.
Granted, this technique of graph paper drawing can hinder the creative zen while working with clay, however, it's something I can do on a day when I am not getting my hands dirty.
