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Wheel Throwing Techniques
For some people, throwing clay on the potter's wheel can be addictive. If you are one of those people, you have come to the right place. Here, professional studio potters provide instruction as well as inspiration for anyone wanting to learn, improve and master wheel throwing techniques. Browse these articles and videos for helpful information such topics as altering wheel thrown vessels or trimming large platters with complex rims. And, if you haven't already, be sure to download your free copy of 7 Great Pottery Projects, which includes detailed well-illustrated, step-by-step pottery making projects by nationally known potters, teachers and workshop presenters.
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June 25, 2009
While attending a workshop, I watched Mark Issenberg create one of his signature pieces: a tall vase, thrown in three pieces, embellished with decorative handles. The making of the vase is described in the following process.
June 23, 2009
Square Dancing: Creating a Diamond-Shaped Baking Dish with an Undulating Rim on the Pottery Wheel
Today, Dick Lehman shares his techniques for throwing "dancing" baking dishes on the potter's wheel, a technique inspired by a demonstration at a workshop years ago.
June 22, 2009
Throwing Clay to Achieve Texture and Interest on Assembled Pots
I am happy to announce that Three Great Throwing Techniques: Tips for Throwing Complex Pottery Forms Using Basic Throwing Skills is now available for download! To give you an idea of the great stuff featured in this collection, I am posting an excerpt today.
June 12, 2009
Wheel Throwing Video: How to Throw a Bowl with a Scalloped Rim on the Potter’s Wheel
In this clear and concise video, Mark demonstrates how to make bowls with beautiful undulating rims using a couple of simple tools.
May 22, 2009
Wheel Throwing Video: How to Throw a Pitcher in Two Parts on the Pottery Wheel
In this great instructional pottery video, potter Nan Rothwell demonstrates throwing a pitcher in two parts on the pottery wheel, covering such processes as throwing in sections, bellying-out a form, making a spout, attaching a handle, and more.
May 11, 2009
In this video, Rosendale, New York, potter Ayumi Horie demonstrates her unconventional "dry throwing" method, along to some great tunes by Lullatone.
May 8, 2009
Wheel Throwing Video: One Pound of Clay - Making Mugs as a Warm-Up Exercise
In this excerpt from his full-length DVD Vessels for Victory, Matt Long demonstrates his mug-throwing technique and explains that making mugs is a great way to warm up in the studio. After all, you are more likely to let go and try new ideas when you are only working with one pound of clay.
May 1, 2009
In today's pottery video, potter Gil Stengel demonstrates the coil and throw method for making large pots.
April 10, 2009
Tony Clennell demonstrates how to make a super cool and super big salad bowl, or "Roman bowl" as he calls it, by throwing it in sections on the pottery wheel.
March 25, 2009
Making Multiples: Using Templates to Throw Uniform Shapes on the Pottery Wheel
Today potter Bill Schran explains how he makes and uses templates to throw multiples on the pottery wheel.
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.
February 20, 2009
Wheel Throwing Video: Centering, Throwing and Trimming Tips From an Expert Potter
In this excerpt from Beginning to Throw on the Potter's Wheel, master potter Robin Hopper shares some tips for centering, throwing and trimming.
January 19, 2009
Texture from Within: Mixing Coarse Materials into a Smooth Clay Body
Gillian Parke shares her technique for getting a very coarse surface texture from a clay body typically chosen for its creamy smooth consistency.
January 12, 2009
Deliberate Cracks: Heating and Stretching to Create Crackled Texture on Pottery
Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong era because I just love old things: antiques, weathered old buildings, vintage clothing. If you can relate, then you’ll love today’s feature because we’re going to show you how to create a crackled, craggy texture on your pottery. Canadian potter Robin Hopper explains how some heating, some stretching and a little sodium silicate can transform a freshly thrown pot into what looks like a weathered antique.
December 19, 2008
Wheel Throwing Video: A Tall Order - Throwing a Massive Vase on the Pottery Wheel
Since we were already thinking big this week (see Wednesday's post on Morten Løbner Espersen's largescale ceramic art installation), I thought today's video would be a fitting one. It comes to us all the way from Gaya Ceramic Designs in Bali, Indonesia. Potter Marcello Massoni demonstrates how he produces huuuuuuuuge vases on the pottery wheel by throwing them in sections (and he makes it look so easy!). And since there is no narration on this video, below we've posted further explanation of the process in the form of step-by-step instruction. Check out the video and the step-by-step, then try a tall order of your own! - Jennifer Harnetty, editor.
December 5, 2008
I know what you're thinking; Sherman just wanted to run this video clip because he likes bourbon. Well, that may be a fact, but it's not the only reason I find this clip interesting. It also happens to be informative and educational. And look at that slip texture! Watching Matt slip these bottles is like watching a tightrope walker—too much or too little just won't work. And there's a lot more where this came from on Matt's full DVD Vessels for Victory: Line, Gesture and Movement. We all can use a little victory now and then. — Sherman Hall, Ceramic Arts Daily
November 26, 2008
Do you ever feel like you're just watching the wheel spin? Around and around go the pots, and off the wheel they go to the drying shelf, only to dry round, be bisque fired round, be glazed round—you see the pattern. But no longer!Now, I'm not going to say that making square pots from the wheel is easy, even though Mike and Karen Baum make it look easy, but I will say that it can become easy, especially if you follow their simple instructions presented here. For a bit more depth, check out the expanded version of this article that was published in the November/December 2008 issue of Pottery ...
November 17, 2008
Protecting Your Pottery and Ceramic Sculpture: Hints for Even Drying
Sometimes, when I'm really on a roll in the studio, I find it difficult to be patient and let the work dictate the pace of the process. If it's not ready to be trimmed, and I go ahead and trim it while it's too soft, I pay the price in deformation or S-cracks after firing (from not compressing during trimming). The same can be true with drying. Rushing the process is almost never good. Luckily, it's not difficult to dry your work evenly—assuming you can make yourself leave it alone. In today's feature, Snail Scott walks us through the basics of drying and some simple ways to ensure success.
August 4, 2008
How to Make a Wheel-Thrown and Altered Triangular Sake Bottle and Cups
[caption id="attachment_2901" align="alignnone" width="150" caption="This finished example of Judith Duff's triangular sake has been wood fired."][/caption] North Carolina potter Judith Duff demonstrates how to make a sake set that is thrown on the wheel and altered using several different tools and techniques. If you have never tried making sake sets, give them a shot. Then you can impress your friends by serving sake using the proper serving implements! – Jennifer Harnetty, editor. ...
April 23, 2008
Throwing Ceramic Juicers: Simple Wheel-Throwing Techniques Produce a Complex Form
Citrus juicers are quick and simple items to make in the studio or classroom. They're constructed like double-walled bowls, and are both easy and fun to make—and they only require simple wheel-throwing techniques. To make a finished juicer approximately 6 inches in diameter, start with about 1-1/2 pounds of clay, or a bit more.
