Steps to Throwing Pottery

Throwing pottery involves wedging clay, centering it on the wheel, opening the center, pulling up the walls to form a cylinder, and then shaping and refining the pot, all while keeping hands and clay wet and bracing elbows for stability. The key stages are centering (using pressure to align clay), opening (creating the floor with thumbs), pulling (lifting walls with wet hands), and shaping/finishing (refining the form and rim, compressing the base).

Preparation & Wedging

  • Wedging: Knead the clay to remove air bubbles and achieve a uniform consistency, forming a firm ball or cone.
  • Setup: Sit at the wheel, brace your elbows against your thighs or torso for stability, and ensure the wheel spins in the direction your palms naturally face. 

Centering the Clay (The Foundation)

  • Mount Clay: Firmly slap your wedged clay onto the center of the wheel head.
  • Wet Hands & Wheel: Add water to your hands and the clay.
  • Coning Up & Down: With the wheel spinning at medium-fast speed, use firm pressure (heel of hand on side, fingers on top) to push the clay into a tall cone, then push it back down repeatedly to align it perfectly.

Opening the Clay

  • Create the Floor: Slow the wheel. With wet hands, press your thumbs down into the center, leaving about 1/2 inch of clay for the base.
  • Widen: Spread your thumbs or fingers to create the desired floor width, maintaining even pressure.
  • Compress Base: Use a sponge or your fingers to compress the bottom to prevent cracks. 

Pulling the Walls (Forming the Cylinder)

  • Position Hands: Left hand inside, right hand outside (or vice-versa), fingers slightly touching, with elbows braced.
  • Apply Pressure: Slowly move your hands upward together, squeezing the clay to pull the walls up, reducing wheel speed as needed.
  • Repeat: Make several pulls (often 2-3) to achieve height and even walls, adding water as needed. 

Shaping & Finishing

  • Shape: Use fingers or ribs (flexible tools) to curve the walls into your desired form (bowl, vase, etc.).
  • Refine Rim: Pinch and compress the rim to make it strong and even.
  • Clean Up: Remove excess water from the inside bottom and smooth any marks with a sponge.
  • Cut Off: Use a wooden knife or wire tool to cut the piece from the wheel head.