Pottery is a beautiful and fulfilling hobby that offers the opportunity to create both practical and decorative pieces. One of the most commonly used methods in ceramics is referred to as throwing pottery on the wheel. This guide is intended for beginners and aims to provide them with the fundamental knowledge of throwing pottery on a wheel.
Pottery wheel throwing refers to arranging clay on a rotating wheel. The phrase ‘throwing’ is derived from an Old English term meaning ‘to twist’ or ‘to turn’ as in thrawan. Clay bowls, mugs, vases and any other symmetrical forms with contours classified as smooth surfaces can be created using a pottery wheel.
For those who wish to learn this skill, there are various classes that offer guided sessions with a facility equipped with a pottery wheel. Studios and art centers offer these courses, and with a little bit of research, one can locate a pottery wheel class near me. Most of these offer courses tailored for novices.
Before you start, you’ll need some essential tools:
1. Preparing the Clay
Before throwing the clay, wedging aids in preparation of the clay so that it is ready for use. This process is known as wedging which creates even moisture throughout the clay and also removes air gaps. Place the clay on a leveled surface and push it while folding until it looks smooth and flexible.
2. Centering the Clay
For techniques involving the spinning of a pottery wheel, the positioning of the clay needs to be done first. Take a lump of clay and place it on the wheel, making sure to position it at the center. Next, press it down firmly so that it stays in position. With your hands wet, start the wheel and shape the clay cone into a dome using both of your hands. This ensures that when shaping your piece, everything remains stable.
3. Opening the Clay
After the clay is centered, press down into the middle of the clay using your thumb or fingers and create an opening. Try to maintain the position of your hands and allow the wheel to do most of the work. Remember to keep some clay at the bottom in order to form a base.
4. Pulling Up The Walls
Maintain the wheel’s steady spin whilst using both hands to gently pull the walls of your piece away from the base. Remember to keep your fingers moist and apply consistent pressure so as not to collapse the structure. This action defines the height and thickness of your piece.
5. Shaping Your Pottery
After the walls are pulled, you can further refine the shape with ribs or your fingers. Whichever design you are going for, whether it be a bowl, cup or a vase, small tweaks can help give character to your pottery.
6. Trimming and Smoothing
To smooth the piece, use a sponge or rib tool to remove excess water and contour the surface. And for a more evened rim, use a needle tool to trim it.
7. Sever the Piece from the Wheel
When satisfied, you may turn off the wheel and use a wire cutter to remove the piece from the bat or wheel head. Allow your piece to dry just enough so that moving it will not cause distortion.
After throwing your pottery, it needs to dry completely before firing. The drying process usually takes a few days, depending on humidity levels. Once dry, your piece is bisque-fired in a kiln at a high temperature to make it hard and durable.
After bisque firing, you can glaze your pottery to add color and a protective finish. The final glaze firing gives your piece its finished look.
In case you want to learn more about pottery, the ideal way would be to join a pottery wheel class in your neighborhood. Most studios, community centers, and even schools of art have beginner classes where participants are walked through the process with professional tools provided. These classes are also a great way of socializing with fellow pottery lovers and learning from professional teachers.
Wheel throwing is one of the many ways to sculpt ceramics, creative at its finest. It can serve as a wonderful tool of self-expression and with the right equipment and method, anything beautiful could be achieved. You could take a class on throwing pottery on a wheel or learn it on your own, make sure you enjoy the process of it all regardless of how it’s done! Feelartistic Studio is the place where you can enhance your creative skills and learn pottery. Explore today!
