Stepping into the world of ceramics can feel like entering a completely new language zone. From terms like bisque and glaze to processes like wedging and firing, beginners are often overwhelmed with the vocabulary. But don’t worry, this glossary is your go-to guide to understanding the foundational terms used in pottery and ceramic arts.
Whether you’re just starting pottery classes or planning to enroll in pottery sessions soon, this guide will help you feel more confident and informed in any studio environment.
1. Clay Body
A clay body is the specific mixture of natural clay, minerals, and sometimes other additives used to make pottery. Different clay bodies — such as earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain — have varying textures, firing temperatures, and uses.
2. Greenware
Greenware is unfired pottery — basically, clay that has been shaped but not yet fired in the kiln. It’s still fragile and water-soluble at this stage.
3. Bisque
Bisque refers to pottery that has been fired once, without any glaze. It is no longer soluble in water and can be safely handled, painted, or glazed.
4. Glaze
A glaze is a glass-like coating applied to bisque pottery. It melts during the second firing, adding color, texture, and waterproofing. Glazes can be glossy, matte, satin, crackled, or even metallic.
5. Kiln
A kiln is a high-temperature oven used to fire pottery. It can be powered by electricity, gas, or wood. Kiln temperatures can go as high as 2300°F (1260°C), depending on the type of clay and glaze used.
6. Wheel Throwing
Wheel throwing is the method of shaping clay on a rotating pottery wheel. This technique requires practice and coordination, but it’s a core skill taught in most pottery classes.
7. Handbuilding
Handbuilding is the process of shaping clay without a wheel using hands, fingers, and simple tools. Common methods include coiling, pinching, and slab building.
8. Slip
Slip is a liquid mixture of clay and water. It’s used for attaching pieces of clay together (like handles) and for decorative techniques like slip trailing.
9. Score and Slip
This is the method of joining two pieces of clay. Scoring refers to scratching the surfaces, and slip acts as a glue. Together, they create a strong bond between clay parts.
10. Wedging
Wedging is the process of kneading clay to remove air bubbles and ensure a uniform consistency. It helps prevent cracking or breaking during firing.
11. Leather-Hard
Leather-hard clay is partially dried but still soft enough to carve or join other pieces. It’s often the best time for trimming or adding handles.
12. Bone Dry
This is the final stage before the first firing. The clay is completely dry, chalky, and brittle. Any moisture at this point can cause breakage during firing.
13. Oxides & Stains
These are coloring agents added to glazes or used to create decorative patterns. Oxides such as iron or cobalt give earthy tones and visual effects.
14. Trimming
Trimming is the process of refining the shape of a pot, usually done on the wheel when the piece is leather-hard. It often includes cutting away excess clay from the base or sides.
15. Grog
Grog is fired and ground-up clay added to some clay bodies to improve their strength, texture, and reduce shrinkage.
16. Firing
Firing is the process of heating pottery in a kiln. There are typically two firings — the bisque firing (to harden the clay) and the glaze firing (to melt the glaze).
17. Cone
Ceramicists use pyrometric cones to measure heatwork in a kiln. Each cone melts at a specific temperature, signaling that the pottery has reached its desired maturity.
18. Shrinkage
As clay dries and is fired, it shrinks. Potters must account for this natural process when sizing their pieces.
19. Blowout
This occurs when trapped moisture turns to steam during firing, causing an explosion or damage inside the kiln. Proper drying is key to avoiding this.
20. Burnishing
A technique used to polish the surface of leather-hard clay using a smooth stone or tool to create a shiny surface without glaze.
21. Sgraffito
This decorative technique involves applying slip or underglaze to the surface of a pot, then carving into it to reveal the clay beneath.
22. Underglaze
A colored decoration applied to pottery before it’s glazed. It doesn’t melt like glaze, so it retains fine details.
23. Stoneware
A type of clay fired at high temperatures, making it durable and non-porous. Stoneware is commonly used for functional pottery.
24. Earthenware
Fired at lower temperatures, earthenware remains somewhat porous unless glazed. It’s often used in traditional pottery styles.
25. Porcelain
A white, refined clay body fired at very high temperatures. Porcelain is smooth, delicate, and often used for fine ceramics.
Why This Glossary Matters?
Understanding these terms helps you communicate better in the studio, follow instructions accurately, and explore creative techniques with confidence. Many students who attend pottery classes find that knowing the vocabulary makes each session more enjoyable and productive.
If you’re just getting started, don’t worry about memorizing everything at once. With time, these words will become second nature as you progress in your ceramic journey.
Learn Pottery with Confidence at Feelartistic Studio
Ready to turn these words into real skills?
At Feelartistic Studio, we make ceramic learning fun, accessible, and rewarding. Our pottery classes are designed for beginners and hobbyists alike, offering hands-on pottery sessions with expert guidance and a friendly atmosphere.
Whether you’re into wheel throwing, hand-building, or just exploring pottery in art, our studio provides the perfect space to create, learn, and relax. We believe everyone has an artist within — and clay is one of the most expressive mediums to bring that creativity out.
Join a session today and discover why Feelartistic Studio is a favorite for pottery lovers of all ages!