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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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November 4, 2009
Today Robin Hopper explains the distinction between neriage and nerikomi, as it was explained to him by Thomas Hoadley, a long time colored clay aficionado. He also explains how to create a lovely marbled rim bowl like the one shown at left.
October 30, 2009
Wheel Throwing Video: How to Throw and Facet a Pitcher on the Pottery Wheel
In today's video, potter Stephen Jepson demonstrates how to throw a pitcher on the pottery wheel and then facet it with a cheese slicer. Watch the video!
October 9, 2009
It’s Raining Cats and Frogs! How to Turn Wheel Thrown Functional Pottery into Clay Animal Sculptures
In today's pottery video, potters Don Ellis and Randy Brodnax playfully demonstrate how, with a little imagination, you can turn your pots into all manner of creatures great and small. Don shows us how to alter a pot into a cat sculpture, while Randy makes a frog out of a pot he slammed onto the ground after throwing. Watch the video!
October 2, 2009
Less Water, More Control: The Benefits of Dry Throwing on the Pottery Wheel
In today's video, potter Whitney Smith explains that with a little practice, learning to throw pottery using less water can open doors for you and help you take your pottery to the next level. Watch the video!
September 18, 2009
It’s Gravy! How to Throw a Visually Pleasing and Functionally Sound Sauce Boat on the Pottery Wheel
In today's video clip, potter Robin Hopper demonstrates throwing a simple sauce boat on the potters wheel, while discussing the aesthetic and functional issues that go into its design. Watch the video now!
September 9, 2009
Master potter and impeccable craftsman Jeffrey Nichols talks about finding one's voice by developing your techniques and your ideas over a period of time. He also demonstrates his accumulated skills by sharing his technique for making a faceted teapot and using his unique decorating technique of layered underglazes.
August 21, 2009
Wheel Throwing Video: A Simple Pottery Making Technique Turned Upside Down
Brace yourselves, Ceramic Arts Daily readers. Today's video is going to turn your world upside down! Potter Mark Peters takes a simple pottery wheel throwing technique and turns it on its head. Watch the Video!
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.
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 30, 2009
Even if you think bigger is better, it doesn't necessarily mean that bigger is more difficult. As Tony Clennell demonstrates in his DVD Taking the Macho Out of Bigware, the size of a pot has more to do with technique than with muscle. A few basic throwing techniques—and a clever trick or two—will get you on your way to increasing the scale of what you can make and what you can imagine. We've included a step-by-step recap of the technique below, along with links to more information. - Jennifer Harnetty, editor.
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.
