How to Create a Pottery Piece: Step-by-Step Guide to Handbuilding and Wheel Throwing
If you are interested in pottery, you might have seen mesmerizing videos of potters creating beautiful pieces on the wheel or handbuilding unique shapes. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced potter, creating a pottery piece can be a fulfilling experience.
In this step-by-step guide, we will explore the two most popular methods of creating pottery: handbuilding and wheel throwing. We will discuss the materials and tools required for each method and walk you through the process of creating a pottery piece from start to finish.
Handbuilding
Handbuilding is a pottery-making technique that involves creating shapes using your hands, rather than a pottery wheel. This method is ideal for creating unique shapes and textures and is often used by artists to create one-of-a-kind pieces.
Wheel Throwing
Wheel throwing is a pottery-making technique that involves using a pottery wheel to create symmetrical shapes. This method is ideal for creating functional pieces like bowls, cups, and plates.
Whether you choose to handbuild or use a pottery wheel, creating a pottery piece requires patience, practice, and attention to detail. But with the right materials, tools, and guidance, you can create beautiful pottery pieces that you can cherish for years to come.
Handbuilding Techniques
Handbuilding is the process of shaping clay by hand using various techniques. Here are some handbuilding techniques that you can use to create your pottery piece:
Preparing the Clay
The first step in handbuilding is preparing the clay. Before starting, make sure that your clay is soft and pliable. If it’s too dry, add a little bit of water to it. If it’s too wet, let it dry out a bit or add some dry clay to it.
Once the clay is ready, knead it to remove any air bubbles and make it easier to work with. Then, shape it into a ball or a slab, depending on the technique that you will be using.
Pinch Pot Technique
The pinch pot technique is one of the simplest handbuilding techniques. To create a pinch pot, start by shaping a ball of clay into a cup shape with your hands. Then, use your thumb and forefinger to pinch and shape the clay, gradually working your way around the pot. Keep pinching and shaping until you achieve the desired shape and size.
Coil Building Technique
The coil building technique involves creating long snakes of clay and layering them on top of each other to create a shape. To start, roll out a long snake of clay and shape it into a circle. Then, roll out another snake and attach it to the first one by scoring the surface and applying some slip (a mixture of clay and water). Repeat this process, layering the coils on top of each other, until you achieve the desired height and shape.
Slab Building Technique
The slab building technique involves creating flat pieces of clay and assembling them together to create a shape. To start, roll out a flat piece of clay to your desired thickness. Then, use a template or a cutter to cut out the shape that you need. Use a scoring tool and some slip to attach the pieces together, smoothing out the seams with your fingers or a tool.
You can also use the slab building technique to create textures on your pottery piece. To do this, press various objects (such as leaves, shells, or stamps) onto the clay before cutting out the shape.
Conclusion
These handbuilding techniques are just some of the many ways that you can create a pottery piece. Experiment with different techniques and find the ones that work best for you. Remember to have fun and enjoy the process of creating something unique and beautiful!
Wheel Throwing Techniques
Wheel throwing is a pottery-making technique that involves using a potter’s wheel to create different shapes and forms. Here are some steps to follow to create a pottery piece using wheel throwing:
Preparing the Clay
The first step is to prepare the clay by wedging it. Wedging is a process of kneading the clay to remove air bubbles and make it more pliable. This helps to prevent cracking and warping during the wheel throwing process. To wedge the clay, cut it into small pieces and slam them onto a flat surface repeatedly, then fold and repeat until the clay is smooth and consistent.
Centering the Clay
Centering is an essential step in wheel throwing. It involves placing the clay on the center of the wheel and using your hands to shape it into a symmetrical mound. This helps the clay to spin evenly and prevents wobbling during the wheel throwing process.
Opening the Clay
Once the clay is centered, the next step is to open it up. Use your thumbs to create a hole in the center of the mound, and then slowly widen the hole by using your fingers to apply pressure evenly. This process helps to create a base for the pottery piece.
Pulling Up the Walls
After opening up the clay, the next step is to pull up the walls. Use your thumbs and fingers to apply pressure evenly to the clay while it spins on the wheel. Pull the clay up to create the desired height of the pottery piece. This process can take some practice to get the walls even and symmetrical.
Shaping the Piece
Once the walls are pulled up, the next step is to shape the piece. Use your hands and various tools to shape the clay into the desired form. You can create bowls, plates, vases, and other forms using this technique.
Finishing Touches
After shaping the piece, the final step is to add finishing touches. Use a sponge to smooth out any uneven areas, and use a trimming tool to remove excess clay from the bottom of the piece. You can also add texture or decoration to the piece using various tools or techniques.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Preparing the Clay | Kneading the clay to remove air bubbles and make it more pliable |
| Centering the Clay | Shaping the clay into a symmetrical mound to spin evenly on the wheel |
| Opening the Clay | Creating a hole in the center of the mound to create a base for the pottery piece |
| Pulling Up the Walls | Pulling the clay up to create the desired height of the pottery piece |
| Shaping the Piece | Using hands and tools to shape the clay into the desired form |
| Finishing Touches | Smoothing out any uneven areas and adding texture or decoration to the piece |
Drying and Firing
Once you have completed the shaping and decoration of your pottery piece, it is time to dry it and prepare it for firing. This involves a series of stages that require patience and attention to detail.
Leather Hard Stage
At this stage, your pottery piece has lost some of its moisture but is still pliable enough to be carved or trimmed. It is important to handle it with care to avoid cracking or warping. You can use a sponge or plastic wrap to keep it moist and prevent it from drying too quickly.
Bone Dry Stage
At this stage, your pottery piece is completely dry and no longer pliable. It is important to inspect it for any cracks or imperfections before proceeding to the next stage. You can use sandpaper or a sponge to smooth out any rough spots.
Bisque Firing
Once your pottery piece is completely dry, it is ready for its first firing in the kiln. This process, called bisque firing, involves heating the piece at a low temperature to harden it and prepare it for glazing. It is important to follow the firing schedule recommended by your kiln manufacturer to avoid cracking or breaking your piece.
Glazing and Firing
After bisque firing, your pottery piece is ready for glazing. This involves applying a layer of colored or clear glaze to the surface of the piece. It is important to choose a glaze that is compatible with the clay and firing temperature of your piece. Once glazed, the piece is fired in the kiln again, this time at a higher temperature, to melt and fuse the glaze onto the surface of the piece.
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Leather Hard | Partially dry and pliable |
| Bone Dry | Completely dry and no longer pliable |
| Bisque Firing | First firing at a low temperature to harden the piece |
| Glazing and Firing | Application of glaze and second firing at a higher temperature |