Things You'll Need:
- Potter’s clay
- Potter’s wheel (recommended)
- Water
- Ceramic glazes
- Kiln
-
Step 1
Begin by working a portion of clay in your hands, adding water as needed to soften it to a molding consistency. Just squeeze the clay, fold it over on itself, squeeze again and repeat until it is soft and pliable but will still hold its shape.
-
Step 2
Put the prepared clay on the center of a potter’s wheel. Although you can hand-form the pottery and many great artists do, pots made on a wheel exhibit more uniformity. Just take the ball of clay and firmly slap it onto the center of the wheel so it adheres.
-
Step 3
Turn the wheel on and, using wet hands, slowly apply pressure to both side of the clay ball. Start with only slight pressure and gradually increase it as the clay centers and rotates evenly. If you're using a foot-powered wheel, make sure you keep the rotation smooth and even.
-
Step 4
Use one or both hands to pull the clay upwards for a tall pot or vase. Press one or two fingers downward in the center to form a hollow area. Make sure you form the hollow inside as you go since your fingers won’t be long enough to reach once the pot is high.
-
Step 5
Coax, pull, push and smooth your pot on the wheel until you reach the shape you like. This process, known as “throwing a pot” has nothing to do with lobbing it across the room.
-
Step 6
Allow your pot to dry slightly until you can move it without altering its shape. You can add hand-formed handles at this point.
-
Step 7
Remove your pot, using a straight edge that slides cleanly between the clay and the wheel. Allow the pot to dry thoroughly. Your pottery is now ready to paint and fire. Once fired, it will be very hard and you may use it as a vase, a kitchen pot or for display.
