Goal: Get you spinning on the wheel like a pro, so you can create stunning, balanced pottery pieces that’ll make people say, “Wow, you made that?!”
What You’ll Need:
- Clay
- Wheel
- Bat (that’s the thing you put your clay on)
- Basic clay tools (rib, knife)
- Water
- Sponge
Intro:
Throwing on the wheel is a must-know for any potter. It lets you create pieces that are both consistent and uniquely yours. In this course, you’ll get comfortable with the fundamentals—centering, opening, raising, and shaping the clay—so you can start making some awesome stuff on the wheel.
Centering:
This is where it all begins. Get your clay centered on the wheelhead, so it spins nice and evenly. Wet the clay a bit, stick it onto the wheel, and press down with your hands as it spins. Your goal? An even, cylinder-like lump of clay. It takes a little practice, but you’ll get there.
Opening:
Now that the clay’s centered, it’s time to open it up. Apply some pressure to the middle while the wheel’s spinning. Keep your hands steady and use the ribs to start shaping it. You’ll end up with a form that’s ready to become something more.
Raising:
Here’s where you start to give the clay some height. Press down on the rim with your hands and let the wheel do its thing. Keep steady, and don’t forget to use the ribs to help guide and shape it as you go.
Shaping:
Got your cylinder? Time to get creative. This is your chance to shape the clay into whatever you want—a bowl, a vase, or something totally unique. Use your hands, tools, and imagination to form the rim, add a foot, or smooth out the surface with a sponge.
Wrap-Up:
That’s the basic rundown of wheel-throwing. Like anything, it takes practice, patience, and persistence. Keep experimenting, challenge yourself, and most importantly—have fun with it. You’ll be making pieces you’re proud of in no time.
Your First Tasks:
-
Center the Clay:
Start small. Practice centering clay on the wheel and, as you get more comfortable, use larger chunks. Keep a journal of what works, what doesn’t, and how you get through any hiccups. -
Open, Raise, and Shape:
Try making a few cylinders, each with different techniques. Jot down what feels right and where things get tricky for you. -
Make a Set:
Take it up a notch by creating a set of matching pieces. The goal? Get them as close to the same size and shape as you can. These will be your reference pieces to look back on and see how far you’ve come.
Extra Goodies:
- Hsinchuen Lin is a legend when it comes to pottery tutorials. Check him out on YouTube: Hsinchuen Lin
- Lilly Maetzig, an amazing Kiwi potter, has a channel worth watching: Mae Ceramics
- Florian Gadsby has everything you need to learn, including this awesome lesson: Florian Gadsby
