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Handbuilding Techniques
Handbuilding may be an ancient pottery making technique, but there is no shortage of exciting work being created today by the hands of ceramic artists. Here, we’ll share with you some of the most inventive handbuilt work out there and give step-by-step instruction from the artists making it. Handbuilding projects, from the simple coil built pot to complex slab built sculpture, are covered in detail. Peruse through our archive of articles and videos on handbuilding techniques, whether you want to brush up on a process or start off in a new direction. And, if you haven't already, be sure download your free copy of our Three Great Handbuilding Techniques: How to Make Pottery Using the Pinch, Coil and Slab Methods for some handbuilding project ideas.
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March 12, 2010
Handbuilding Video: How to Make a Mosaic-Patterned Bowl Using Loaves of Colored Clay
In today's video, an excerpt from Pottery Decoration: Traditional Techniques, potter Tom Shafer demonstrates a version of the nerikomi technique. Nerikomi (often referred to as “neriage”) is a decorative process established in Japan that involves stacking colored clays and then slicing through the cross section to reveal a pattern, which can then be used as an applied decoration, or in this case, to build a form on a plaster mold. Watch the video!
January 15, 2010
Handbuilding Video: How to Make a Handbuilt Ceramic Planter Using a Simple Cardboard Form
For today's video, I have excerpted a cool planter project involving a simple cardboard form and some slabs. What I especially like about this project is that Graham turns very practical joint reinforcements into lovely loose decorative elements. Watch the video!
December 14, 2009
How to Make a Square Lidded Jar Using Both Wheel-Thrown and Handbuilt Components
In this project, Sequoia Miller demonstrates how he uses wheel throwing and handbuilding techniques to make an angular, lidded jar.
December 11, 2009
Handbuilding Video: Master Yixing Teapot Demonstration Part Two - Considering Every Detail
As promised, today we bring you another Yxing teapot video. This one focuses on the finishing refinements that are made to Yixing teapots. Master artist Zhu Jiang Long demonstrates how every inch of the teapot is considered from the lid right to the signature stamp on the bottom.
December 7, 2009
The kachelofen is making a comeback in Europe and gaining popularity in North America because of its environmental friendliness and because of the rise in home energy prices. One fire, or three wood logs, delivers eight to fifteen hours of radiant heat.
December 4, 2009
Handbuilding Video: A Yixing Teapot Master Creates an Exquisite Handbuilt Teapot
In today's video, Zhou Gui Zhen, who has been designated a National Living Treasure in China, demonstrates the construction of the body of a teapot from slabs using the traditional Yixing technique.
November 20, 2009
Today we have a cool little video from Mark Peters. Mark is so good at taking a simple idea and the most basic of tools - a lump of clay, a sponge, and a stretched-out spring - and turning it into a loose, yet elegant piece of pottery. Have a look and then give this one a try!
November 18, 2009
Making Music with Clay: How to Make a Ceramic Whistle Flute
Today's post combines two great things: clay and music. In an excerpt from Barry Hall's From Mud to Music, you'll learn how to make a clay whistle flute step by step.
November 13, 2009
The Broomstick Method: Making Cylindrical Pottery Without a Pottery Wheel
In this video, Mitch Lyons demonstrates making a cylindrical form using a series of dowel rods in graduated sizes to hollow out the center. It is a great technique for handbuilding cylinders because you can really do a lot with surface texture. Watch the video!
November 6, 2009
Today, Lorna Meaden explains a great way to fix a messed-up pitcher spout by adding coils when the pot is leather hard and re-pulling the spout. Not only is it a great way to fix mess-ups, but it is also a great way to add length to a pulled spout. Watch the video!
October 23, 2009
Clay’s Fascinating Cousin: A Glimpse into the World of Precious Metal Clay
In this clip, Hattie Sanderson, a certified Precious Metal Clay instructor, explains the basic PMC tools and lingo, and presents an introductory earring project. Watch the video!
August 24, 2009
Today potter Dan Gegen explains how he begins working with texture before the construction process even begins, and therefore makes it integral to the design of the pot. He also shares the glaze recipe for the lovely celadon-esque glaze featured on the pot to the left.
August 7, 2009
In today's video, ceramic artist Frank Giorgini demonstrates traditional Nigerian handbuilding techniques for making Udu drums. These techniques can be applied to any coil-built form so even if you don't plan on making a drum, you'll come away with methods to make beautiful and structurally sound vessels!
July 15, 2009
Fish Tales: A Ceramic Artist Interprets Personal History Through Raku Sculpture
Ceramic sculptor Lisa Merida Paytes tells us about her work and takes us through the process of creating and raku firing one of her skeletal fish sculptures.
July 10, 2009
How to Make a Pinch Pot: Using a Pinch and Paddle Method to Create Large Pots
Kristin Doner produces pinch pots on a larger-than-usual scale. She began with 2 or 3 pound balls of clay but she wanted larger forms so she increased the clay and developed new forming strategies. After opening with a usual pinching method, she expands the pot by rhythmically paddling the outside. For more great handbuilding techniques, download your free copy of Three Great Handbuilding Techniques: How to Make Pottery Using the Pinch, Coil and Slab Methods! My journey with clay ...
July 9, 2009
How to Make a Coil Pot: Using Flat Coils to Construct Large Jars
Making large ceramic jars with flat coils has been done for centuries in many parts of Asia. One big advantage with this method is you can make most any shape because you can change direction as you build the form, which is next to impossible on the wheel. Once you get the technique down, you can use the same flat coil technique for a variety of clay sculpture forms as well. Making large jars with flat coils has been done for centuries in many parts of Asia and Southeast Asia. Master potters in Korea made thousands of flat-coiled storage jars—primarily used for kimchi, ...
July 6, 2009
Nifty Nests: Using Kitchen Gadgets and Textured Slabs to Create Square(ish) Nesting Bowls
Denver potter Annie Chrietzberg demonstrates her creative technique for making nesting pots from slab-built forms. This step-by-step how-to project illustrates how to use tart tins from a kitchen store as templates, how to cut darts in slabs to make square forms and how to work with textured surfaces to get truly unique dishes.
July 1, 2009
Handle Making Video: Spicing Up Handles on Pottery by Combining Techniques
In this excerpt from his great full-length DVD, Get a Handle On It, Tony Clennell demonstrates a nifty little way to add interest to handles on pottery.
April 13, 2009
Go Figure: Combining Simple Handbuilding Techniques to Make Figurative Sculptures
In today's post, ceramic artist Dee Schaad presents a project that combines two simple handbuilding techniques – pinching and soft slab building - to make figurative sculptures.
March 9, 2009
The Reassembled Ring Teapot: A Different Way of Looking at a Favorite Pottery Form
Looking for some interesting new ideas for the teapot form? Today we'll show you how potter Ray Bub throws and assembles teapots that would make Picasso proud.
