How to Throw a Pot

Pottery throwing, an ancient craft practiced for millennia, remains a highly rewarding and creative endeavor. This time-honored technique involves shaping soft clay on a rapidly spinning wheel; a skill artisans have refined over generations.

The essence of how to throw a pot lies not just in the physical act but in the deep connection formed between the potter, the clay, and the wheel. It offers a unique blend of art, science, and physical dexterity that can be both meditative and exhilarating. In this guide, we’ll explore the fundamentals of the pottery wheel-throwing process, highlighting the key techniques and tools involved.

Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a seasoned artist looking to refine your skills, this step-by-step guide aims to equip you with everything you need to know about how to throw a pot, transforming a simple lump of clay into a functional and beautiful object.

Preparation

Before you can truly immerse yourself in the art of throwing a pot, it’s imperative to prepare your materials and workspace. This foundational step ensures that your pottery session will be as smooth and efficient as possible, setting the stage for a successful creation.

A. Setting Up the Wheel: Adjusting the Wheel Height and Speed for Comfortable Throwing

The pottery wheel is your primary tool, and its setup can significantly impact your throwing experience. Begin by adjusting the wheel’s height so that when seated, your legs form a 90-degree angle, allowing your feet to comfortably reach the pedal. This positioning promotes better control and reduces strain during long throwing sessions. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the wheel’s speed settings. Starting at a slower speed is advisable for beginners, as it offers greater control while centering and shaping the clay.

B. Wedging Clay: Kneading and Wedging the Clay to Remove Air Bubbles and Ensure Consistency

Wedging the clay is akin to kneading dough; it aligns the clay particles and removes any air bubbles, which can cause imperfections or even explosions in the kiln. To wedge, cut a manageable amount of clay and use the heels of your hands to push and fold the clay onto itself. Repeat this process until you achieve a uniform and smooth consistency. This effort at the outset saves frustration later, ensuring your pot has the best chance of success.

C. Preparing Tools: Gathering Essential Tools Such as a Sponge, Wire Cutter, and Rib

Gather all necessary tools before you begin throwing. A sponge keeps the clay moist during shaping, a wire cutter slices through clay and removes finished pieces from the wheel, and a rib (a flat, flexible tool made of metal, wood, or silicone) assists in shaping and smoothing the pot’s surface. Having these tools within arm’s reach allows for a streamlined and uninterrupted throwing process, enabling you to focus fully on the art of pottery.

How to Throw a Pot: Centering the Clay

Centering the clay is arguably the most crucial step in throwing a pot. Achieving a perfectly centered lump of clay on the wheel is the foundation upon which the entire shaping process rests. Without a centered base, the clay can become uneven and lead to a piece that is not symmetrical, which can compromise both its aesthetics and functionality.

A. Coning

Coning is the initial step in centering the clay and involves shaping the clay into a cone-like structure. This is done by applying an upward force with both hands while pressing inward toward the center of the wheel. The purpose of coning is to align the clay particles and to help remove any air pockets that might have been missed during the wedging process. Once the cone is formed, it is then pushed back down to establish a stable base. This up-and-down motion is usually repeated several times until the clay feels centered and stable on the wheel head.

B. Opening

Once the clay is centered, the next step is to create an opening in the center of the cone. This is done by pressing down into the center of the clay with thumbs or fingers, depending on the size of the clay piece. Care must be taken to ensure the opening is centered and the pressure is applied evenly. The depth of the opening will depend on the final shape you’re aiming to create, but it’s crucial not to go too close to the wheel head to avoid breaking through the bottom of the pot.

C. Centering

The final step in centering involves refining the centering process to ensure that the clay mass is completely centered on the wheel. This is achieved by placing the hands symmetrically on both sides of the clay and applying gentle but firm inward and downward pressure.

The goal is to make the clay spin smoothly without any wobble. Once the clay is spinning evenly, it’s ready to be shaped. It’s important to frequently check and adjust the pressure and position of the hands during this step, as maintaining the centered clay is key to the success of the throwing process.

How to Throw a Pot: Pulling Up

After successfully centering the clay on the wheel, the next crucial step in throwing a pot is “Pulling Up.” In this phase, the transformation from a simple, centered piece of clay into a pot takes shape. The process requires patience, steady hands, and understanding how the clay responds to pressure.

A. Initial Pulling

Initial pulling is the act of elongating the centered clay upwards to form the pot’s walls. Start by wetting your hands and the clay with water or slip to reduce friction. Then, anchor your elbows against your body to ensure stability. Place one hand inside the opening of the clay and the other on the exterior.

Gently but firmly, squeeze the clay between your fingers and slowly move your hands upward. Your outside hand should be slightly above your inside hand to encourage the clay to move upwards. The wheel’s speed, the pressure applied, and the movement of your hands must be synchronized to achieve uniform thickness and height. Repeat this pulling motion as needed, wetting the clay periodically to maintain smooth movement.

B. Even Pressure

Maintaining even pressure during the pulling process is critical to prevent the walls from becoming uneven or wobbly. Inconsistent pressure can lead to thick spots, thin spots, or an off-center pot. The key to even pressure is to move both hands at the same constant rate while applying steady pressure. If a wobble occurs, slow down the wheel and gently correct it by applying slight inward pressure at the wobble point.

Regularly check the thickness of the walls by gently squeezing them. Adjust your pressure on the next pull to correct inconsistencies if you find inconsistencies. Remember, practice and patience are necessary to master the feeling of even pressure throughout the pot.

C. Shaping

Once the walls have reached the desired height and thickness, shaping the pot begins. Functional needs or aesthetic desires can guide shaping. Using fingers, ribs, or specialized pottery tools, you can start to form the pot’s final shape. To widen the pot, apply gentle outward pressure from the inside, using the outside hand or a rib to support the shape. For narrowing or creating a neck, inward pressure is needed, carefully controlled to avoid collapsing the pot. Smooth the surface with ribs or a soft sponge, and pay special attention to the rim, which can be shaped or compressed for strength and functionality.

Throughout this phase, the vision for the pot takes form, guided by the potter’s hands and tools. Shaping is an opportunity to infuse the piece with personal style or to fine-tune it for specific uses. Like all stages of pottery throwing, a sense of timing, pressure, and movement underpin the successful execution of pulling up, making it a gratifying step in creating a pot.

How to Throw a Pot: Thinning and Flattening

After the initial shaping and pulling up of the pot, the focus shifts towards refining its form through thinning and flattening. This stage is crucial for achieving the final dimensions and ensuring the pot’s functionality and aesthetic appeal.

A. Thinning the Walls

The process of thinning the walls is executed with careful precision to reach the pot’s desired thickness and height. This requires a delicate balance between the potter’s touch and the clay’s response. By wetting the hands and the clay, the potter resumes the pulling motion, this time with a lighter touch, gradually thinning the walls.

The fingers move in a controlled ascent from the base to the lip, subtly stretching the clay. It’s vital to monitor the evenness of the pressure to maintain uniform wall thickness and prevent collapse. This phase not only refines the pot’s shape but also lightens its overall weight, enhancing both its practicality and elegance.

B. Flattening the Bottom

Ensuring the pot sits flat is imperative for its functionality. To accomplish this, a rib or a firm wooden tool is employed to compress and smooth the clay at the bottom of the inside of the pot. This action not only helps to remove hidden air pockets that could cause cracks during firing but also creates a level surface that contributes to the stability of the pot when used. The tool is held at a slight angle to meticulously blend the base with the walls, establishing a seamless transition that complements the pot’s design.

C. Smoothing Surface

The final step in this stage involves smoothing the pot’s surface to eliminate any imperfections and achieve a uniform texture. A damp sponge or a piece of chamois leather is lightly run over the entire surface, paying particular attention to the rim and any curves or decorative features. This enhances the pot’s tactile quality and prepares it for any subsequent decorative processes, such as glazing or carving. The smoothing process is therapeutic, signifying the nearing completion of the pot’s form—a stage where the potter’s initial vision starts to align clearly with the emerging physical piece.

Each of these steps in the thinning and flattening process showcases the blend of art and technique that pottery encompasses. Through these actions, the potter endows the clay with its final shape and functionality, setting the stage for the creative and finishing touches to come.

Finishing

In the finishing stage, the potter adds the final touches that distinguish the pot’s individuality and functionality. This phase is critical in defining the pot’s character and ensuring its usability.

A. Creating a Lip

Creating a well-defined lip or rim on the pot is not just a functional aspect for items like cups and bowls but also an aesthetic one. Using either fingers or a rib, the potter delicately shapes the lip to achieve the desired contour and thickness. This could involve pinching the clay to create a sharper edge or smoothing it out for a more rounded finish.

The key is to apply consistent pressure to avoid distorting the form. This step requires a gentle touch and a keen eye for detail to ensure the lip looks appealing and contributes to the pot’s overall balance and symmetry.

B. Trimming (Optional)

Trimming is an optional but often beneficial step, primarily used to refine the pot’s base and, if desired, to create a foot ring. This process involves placing the leather-hard pot upside down on the wheel and securing it. Using a trimming tool, the potter carefully removes excess clay from the bottom and sides to smooth out imperfections and enhance the pot’s form.

When creating a foot ring, the tool carves out a distinct band to serve as the pot’s standing ring. This adds to the aesthetic appeal and ensures stability and functionality, making the pot easier to lift and handle. Precision during trimming is crucial to avoid removing too much clay or unbalancing the pot.

C. Adding Texture or Decoration

The final aesthetic touches involve adding texture, patterns, or decorative elements to the pot’s surface. This can be achieved through various tools and techniques such as stamping, carving, or applying slip. The choice of decoration is dictated by the potter’s artistic vision, complementing the form and function of the piece.

For instance, a textured surface can enhance grip, while decorative patterns can turn the pot into art. It’s an opportunity for potters to express their creativity and for the pot to acquire a unique identity. This stage requires a harmonious balance between technique and imagination, as the decoration should enhance rather than obscure the pot’s beauty.

Each of these finishing steps plays a crucial role in turning the clay object into a functional and decorative piece of pottery. The transformation witnessed during the finishing stage is a testament to the potter’s skill and creativity, marking the culmination of the pottery process.

Drying and Firing

The transformation from clay to pottery is not complete without the crucial stages of drying and firing. These steps are instrumental in solidifying the pot’s form and enhancing its durability.

A. Drying

The first stage, drying, is all about patience and precision. After the finishing touches have been applied, the pot must dry gradually. This slow process prevents the clay from cracking or warping due to uneven drying rates. The pot is often covered with a cloth or placed in a controlled environment to ensure moisture escapes slowly and evenly from the clay. This stage can take anywhere from a few days to a week, depending on the thickness of the pot and the ambient conditions. It is ready for the kiln when the pot is bone dry, meaning it contains no perceptible moisture.

B. Bisque Firing

Bisque firing is the pot’s first encounter with fire, transforming it from clay to ceramic. The dried pot is loaded into a kiln and fired at a temperature usually between 900°C and 1000°C. This initial firing process, which can last several hours to more than a day, hardens the pot and prepares it for glazing. The bisque firing also removes all the organic materials in the clay, ensuring that the pot is porous and ready to absorb glaze evenly. The natural color of the clay is often altered during this process, highlighting the magical transformation within the kiln.

C. Glaze Firing

After the pot has been bisque-fired and allowed to cool, it’s ready for glazing. The glaze can be applied in various ways, including dipping, spraying, or painting, to achieve different effects. The choice of glaze and application technique depends on the desired finish and color of the final product. Once the glaze has been applied, the pot undergoes glaze firing, exposing it to temperatures higher than those in the bisque firing, typically around 1200°C to 1300°C.

This second firing melts the glaze, creating a glass-like surface that seals the pot, making it waterproof and giving it a vibrant color and finish. This stage enhances the pot’s aesthetic appeal and functionality, marking the culmination of the potter’s artistry and the beginning of the pottery’s life in the world outside the studio.

Conclusion

The process of how to throw a pot on the wheel unfolds through a dedicated sequence of steps, starting from wedging the clay, centering it on the wheel, opening and raising the walls, to the intricate details involved in finishing, such as creating a lip, trimming, and adding texture or decoration. These stages culminate in the meticulous drying and firing processes, transforming the raw material into a functional and decorative piece of pottery.

This art form requires patience, precision, and, most importantly, practice. It encourages potters to experiment with different shapes and techniques, pushing the boundaries of their creative expression. The satisfaction derived from creating handcrafted pottery through the ancient art of wheel throwing is unparalleled; it connects the maker with the profound legacy of craft and artistry passed down through generations. Each piece reflects not just the skill and creativity of its maker but also a timeless tradition of transforming earth into art.