What is wheel throwing?

Pottery throwing is this super old way of making stuff out of clay. You spin the clay on a wheel and use your hands and some tools to mould it into whatever shape you want. The spinning motion allows for symmetrical forms and a surprising amount of control.

A brief history of the wheel

People have been making pottery with spinning wheels for thousands of years! It all started way back in Mesopotamia. This fancy wheel thing changed the game - potters could now make pots that were all fancy and the same shape, way easier than before. The wheel itself got some upgrades over time, but the core idea is still the same.

Materials and Equipment

The clay: Not all clay is created equal!  For wheel throwing you will need a special type of clay with particular properties. Here's what to look for:

• Workability: The clay must be moist enough to work easily and create any shapes you want on the wheel.

• Plasticity: This feature describes the property of the clay to maintain its form without cracks or holes after drying.

• Maturity: If all goes well, the clay should be appropriately aged and treated through the removal of any trapped air bubbles which may cause difficulties during the spinning and firing process.

The wheel: Pottery wheels come in different shapes and types. However, for beginners, an electric wheel with basic features is recommended for starting pottery. Here are some things to consider:

• Size: The bigger the head of the wheel is, the bigger the pots you can throw.

• Speed control: A variable speed control, lets you adjust the pace of the wheel for different methods.

• Splash pan: This catches excess water and clay, keeping your work area clean.

Essential tools:  In addition to the wheel and clay, you'll need a few basic tools:

• Needle tool: Used for trimming and scoring the clay.

• Ribs: These smooth wooden tools help shape and smooth the clay surface.

• Sponges: Used for keeping the clay moist and cleaning up excess material.

Finding the perfect pottery wheel

If pottery spins your wheels after class, think about grabbing your wheel to keep creating at home! In this case, you will be able to make some pottery right away whenever you feel like it. Just take into offers your budget, how much space you have and what kinds of attributes you want on the wheel.

Preparing the clay

Before diving into throwing, you need to prepare your clay.  This involves a process called wedging, which incorporates air pockets and ensures even moisture distribution. Here's a simplified version:

1. Divide the clay: Cut or break a lump of clay into manageable pieces.

2. Slamming and folding: Slam one piece of clay forcefully onto a work surface, then fold it in half. Repeat this process several times with all the clay pieces.

3. Forming a ball: Once wedged, gather the clay pieces together and form a ball.

Centring on the wheel

Centring is crucial for creating symmetrical shapes.  Here's a basic approach:

1. Flatten the clay ball: On the wheel, gently press down on the clay to form a thick disc.

2. Open the centre: Using your thumb, make a cone-shaped indentation in the centre of the disc.

3. Bring up the sides: With both thumbs inside the cone, gently push the clay upwards and outwards, centring it on the wheel.

Basic throwing techniques

Now comes the fun part – shaping the clay!  Here are a couple of fundamental techniques:

• Creating a cylinder: With centred clay on the wheel, use your hands to gently pull the sides upwards, forming a tall cylinder.

• Opening the cylinder: Once you have a cylinder, use your thumbs to press gently into the centre, widening the opening to create a cup or vase shape.

Trimming the base

When you have the right shape, you will need to shape the bottom of the creation to have a flat base. This is usually done with a special trimming tool while the clay is still spinning on the wheel.

Common challenges and how to fix them

• Clay sticking to the wheel: This would happen if the clay was too dry. Dip your fingers or a sponge in water and moisten gently the clay and the head of the wheel. The choice might be that you have to vary the moisture of your clay by preparing it for the next throwing session.

• The pot wobbling or losing centre: This can occur if the centre of the clay is not well-centred, or if pressure is not applied evenly while shaping. Turn the wheel off and pull the clay to the centre while applying just a bit of pressure with your hands. It can always be replaced by a new lump of clay if it happens to be already too far gone.

• Cracking or collapsing clay: That may happen when you throw fast or too hard.

• Cracking or collapsing clay:  This can be caused by throwing too quickly or applying too much pressure.  It's important to maintain a consistent thickness in the clay walls and avoid rushing the process.

Tips for beginners

• Maintain a comfortable posture: Throwing might as well be the simple act of the repetition of motion. Use good standing postures and take short breaks at regular time intervals to keep your spine and shoulders at ease.

• Keep your clay moist: Upon the act of throwing, the clay can become dry. Keep spraying the clay with water using the opposite hand during the process to keep it well wet.

• Wheel throwing is like learning any new skill - it takes some time to get the hang of it. Don't worry if your first creations look a bit, well, wonky. The more you practice, the smoother your skills will become.

Safety considerations

• Proper hand and body positioning: Don’t put your muscles in an awkward position and try keeping perfect posture.

• Cleaning and maintaining your pottery wheel: The rims must be cleaned regularly to avoid clay accumulation and the conditions influencing the wheel's performance. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance procedures.

Next steps

This is all the beginning of your pottery travel! Through practice, you'll be able to explore and develop creative shapes and structures. Here are some ways to keep exploring:

• Exploring different shapes and forms: When your skill is building up, challenge yourself by crafting bowls, dinner plates, or more complex items.

• Introduction to glazing and firing techniques: Once the pieces are shaped, they have to be glazed and put into a kiln to get hardened and usable. Many pottery studios offer classes on these techniques.

• Finding pottery classes or studios in your area: Working with more proficient potters is a perfect opportunity for gaining mastery in your craft and broadening your pottery knowledge. Surf the internet or go to local art galleries or art centres for tips on pottery classes near you.

Conclusion

Wheel throwing is a soothing and relaxing artistic process that has both a meditative and satisfactory effect. The transformation of the rough and unrecognizable clay into an exquisite vessel is no doubt a very challenging yet exciting process. Thus, if you are one of such people who are widely enthralled by the potter's tool this might be the thing for you to have a go at! If you stick to your work and keep trying, you will soon be astonished by what you are capable of.