Getting started

The pottery wheel is a specially designed piece of equipment that makes it possible to spin clay into symmetrical pottery shapes. Learning “to throw” is a challenge initially, but with practice, throwing can become very rewarding.

The purpose of these slides is to give an OVERVIEW of the throwing process, but you will still need to observe actual demonstrations and have one-on-one instruction. Examples of wheel thrown pottery

Throwing works on the principle of centrifugal force— the force that comes off of a spinning object. As the clay spins on the wheel, the pressure that you apply on the clay reacts with the clay’s desire to go outwards, and as a result, your clay has no where to go but up.

Supplies that you need to get started:  3-4 balls of well-wedged clay (size of an orange)  Bucket of water  Needle tool  Angled wooden tool  Cut-off wire  Small round sponge  2 large clean-up sponges  Wooden board

We are going to divide the process into several main steps:  Step One—CENTERING Attach the clay to the wheel head Wet your hands CONE the clay UP COMPRESS the clay DOWN

Attaching the clay Pat the clay on to the center of a dry wheel head.

CONING the clay Use the bottom of both hands to apply pressure. Press your hands inwards and upwards In a single fluid motion.

COMPRESSING the clay by pressing inwards with your left hand while pressing down with your right.

What clay should look like when its centered. Confused? Press here to watch a demonstration of CENTERING by CONING and COMPRESSING

 Step Two-OPENING Find the center of your lump of clay Create a hole Check for the correct depth Widen your opening (make the floor)

Find the center with your finger tips. Use your left hand to brace the clay and press down with the fingertip(s) of your right hand.

Use the needle tool to check the depth of bottom of your pot. Use one (or two) hands inside the opening and pull it out towards you to widen the pot and make the “floor”. Press here for a demo

 Step Three-PULLING THE WALLS Place your hands at 4 or 5 o’clock ○ left hand on the inside, right hand on the outside Gently pinch the wall between your fingers Pull the clay UP while pinching Slow down as you near the top

Pulling the walls First “pull”. Notice the clay rising. Second “pull”. Notice the lump of clay that is moving upwards above the fingers. Press here for a demo

Important! Gently compress the rim of your pot after each pull. This keeps its form from getting too thin and tearing. Gently pinch the rim with your left hand while lightly pressing down on the top of the rim with your right index finger.

 STEP FOUR-Trimming off the wheel Use the wooden angled tool to trim excess clay off the bottom of your pot. Flush the wheel head with water. Pull the wire cutting tool underneath the pot to cut it off from the wheel head. Gently lift pot (with dry fingers or pot lifters) and place it on a board.

Your goal is to trim off any excess clay that is along the bottom and to make it as clean of an edge as possible.

After putting a little water on the wheel head, hold the wire TIGHTLY and pull it towards you. Lift the pot off quickly before the it reconnects to the wheel. Press here for a demo

Your thrown pot must be covered in plastic until it gets leather hard. Further trimming of the bottom may be necessary. After bisque firing, glaze your pot to make it functional and to emphasize its beauty.

Your first successfully thrown piece is a treasure. It may look awkward but it represents a lot of hard work. Save it to compare it with your future masterpieces! Bowls created by Paul Botdorf, a former Penn Wood High School student.