Wheel throwing is the foundation of most studio pottery practice. Whether you’re just starting out or working to refine your technique, the guides below cover every stage of the throwing process — from preparing your clay to finishing your forms. Work through them in order if you’re a beginner, or jump to the technique you’re working on.
Before You Throw
- The Stages of Clay — understand what clay is doing at each stage so you know when to work it
- How to Spiral Wedge Clay — prepare your clay properly before every throwing session
- Ram’s Head Wedging — an alternative wedging method for removing air bubbles
- How to Make Ware Boards — essential for moving freshly thrown work without distortion
- Damp Box — keep work-in-progress moist between sessions
Core Throwing Techniques
- Step-by-Step Guide to Throwing Clay on the Pottery Wheel — the complete beginner’s overview
- How to Center Clay on the Pottery Wheel — the most critical skill to master first
- How to Open Clay on the Pottery Wheel — creating the base of your vessel
- How to Pull and Shape Clay on the Pottery Wheel — building height and form
- How to Collar the Clay in Wheel Throwing — controlling width and narrowing openings
- Understanding Centrifugal Force in Pottery — how physics affects your clay on the wheel
Throwing Specific Forms
- Throwing a Mug on the Pottery Wheel — step-by-step guide for a classic form
- How to Throw a Ceramic Coffee Pour-Over — a more advanced functional form
- Types of Ceramic Vessels — understanding different forms and their proportions
- Ceramic Forms and Weights — reference guide for consistent sizing
Handles
- Pulling a Handle — the traditional method for pulled clay handles
- How to Make a Handbuilt Handle — for a different look and feel
- Hybrid Handle: Handbuilt and Pulled — combining both approaches
Studio Essentials for Throwing
- Essential Ceramic Materials and Tools — what you need to get started
- Clay Reclaim — how to recycle your trimmings and scraps
- Recycling Clay — reconstituting dry and reclaim clay
- Best iOS Pottery Apps — track your pieces and firing schedules
New to ceramics entirely? Start with our guide on Learning Ceramics: Where to Start.
