Beginner's Wheel-Thrown Pottery: Tips for a Clay Novice

By Chris Dunmire

Have you ever watched someone work on a potter’s wheel, and found yourself captivated by the smooth vessel pulled up from a mound of clay? Are you curious about what it would be like to make your own wheel-thrown pottery? If you like working with the medium of clay, you may enjoy giving wheel-thrown pottery a try.

What’s it like?

Clay is such a flexible, forgiving medium. Unlike other types of sculpting, clay can be kneaded and formed into anything the artist desires, and if mistakes are made — simply wadded up and reworked.

Some people wonder what wheel-thrown pottery is like for a beginner. Is it easy? Is it hard? Does it cost a lot of money to take a class? What should a newbie expect?

I had all of these questions too. That’s why I decided to take a beginner’s wheel thrown pottery class to see for myself what it was like. And though experiences will vary, I found out some interesting things about this art form that I’ll share with you.

Where to Take Wheel-Thrown Pottery Classes

If you want to get some true experience with wheel-thrown pottery, then I suggest taking a class. Classes are offered at community colleges (often under ceramics), at art studios, and at pottery/ceramic businesses. The nature and length of the course will determine the cost and time commitment involved.

For example, a college credit course will usually run for a semester and may require you to purchase all of your tools and materials. A continuing education course or a private studio may offer shorter-term instruction for less money, and alleviate the pressure for competition or a passing grade.

I found a class at an art studio that was comfortable for me. It was a 6-week course that met for 2 hours once a week for 6 weeks. The cost was $85 and included all the tools and materials I needed: clay, glaze, sculpting tools, and a wheel. The beginner’s class was led by an experienced pottery instructor who demonstrated excellent pottery making and communication skills.

What to Expect at Your First Pottery Class

If you’re like me and never touched a potter’s wheel, expect a real learning experience. The first class should instruct you on the type of clay you’ll be using and how to cut and wedge it for the wheel. “Wedging” means to knead the clay and make it supple for use.

The instructor should take time to thoroughly demonstrate the wheel-throwing process: centering, opening, raising, shaping, and removing a pottery vessel (usually bowl) from a wheel. After a demonstration like this in my class, we were allowed to practice what we learned on our own wheels.

Again, this is a real learning experience. A skilled instructor has the knack for making the pottery making process look simple, but a beginner should not expect it all to come so easy at first. Through practice, a willing student will become skilled at demonstrating the techniques shown to them.

Your first class experience may be much different than mine. My first class was challenging, messy, and somewhat disheartening. By the end of the two hours I was convinced that I was not cut out for wheel-thrown pottery because each time I tried to duplicate the instructor’s steps on my own clay, I fell short. I grew increasingly frustrated and wanted to give up. Thankfully it was only two hours long. It was through persistence and patience coming back each week that this attitude changed, I became more skilled, and I didn't give up after all!

I share my experience with you for two reasons: 1) to give you a realistic perspective on what may happen in your first class, and 2) to assure you that it gets easier. Remember how it was learning how to ride a bike? I have full confidence that when you stick with something and really put forth honest effort to learn it, it does get easier.

After the First Class

If your first class went smooth, you are on your way to becoming a wheel-thrown pottery master. If you struggled, you’ll find the second and successive classes easier as you go. After each of my classes, I made progress! By the fourth class I was able to complete two bowls on the wheel that I went on to glaze and take home (see above picture).

A pottery class with a conscientious instructor should be a continuous learning experience. Each of our class sessions had two parts: a demonstration and studio time. Our instructor was available to answer any questions and aid us during the entire class session, which was reassuring.

5 Tips to Making the Most of Your First Wheel-Thrown Pottery Class

After successfully completing my first pottery class, here’s some tips I’ll pass along to you:

1. Wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Our class used brown stoneware clay that easily washed out of our clothes (like mud). Other clays (such as red terra cotta) will stain your clothes.
   
   
2. Expect gradual progress. If you’re new to wheel-thrown pottery, don’t expect to easily duplicate what the instructor demonstrated to you for the first time. High expectations will lead you to disappointment, frustration, and giving up. If you do a little better in the second class than the first, that’s progress. Keep it up and it will eventually “click” for you.
   
   
3. Make time for clean-up. Working with clay and water is naturally messy. Clean-up time is an essential part of the process and class time. Studio owners and class instructors expect you to do your part in cleaning up your own mess.
   
   
4. Enjoy the experience. You took this class because you wanted to try something new. If you find yourself getting overly stressed, breathe deeply and remember why you’re there. A good studio class should encourage you along, but not make you feel like you have to reach expert status by its end.
   
   
5. Celebrate your successes. Note your accomplishments during the process and give yourself a pat on the back for them. Even if you complete one small piece of pottery that leaves a lot to be desired, you were successful in your efforts. You learned. You grew. •

© 2005 Chris Dunmire. All rights reserved.

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About the Author | More by Chris Dunmire
Chris Dunmire is an author, artist, humorist, workshop facilitator, and the driving force behind multiple creativity-inspiring features for Creativity-Portal.com, a Writer's Digest best Web site. Chris trained with Eric Maisel, Ph.D. as a creativity coach and inspires people of all ages at CoachingYourCreativity.com. She also develops printable project playbooks (including the world- famous Dollar Bill Origami Money Plant) available for instant download at CreativeSlush.com.

10/10/05