How to Throw on the Wheel: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learning to throw on the pottery wheel can be an incredibly rewarding experience. With patience, practice, and a few key techniques, beginners can make beautiful pieces that reflect their unique style. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the wheel-throwing basics to help you create your first pottery piece.

1. Gather Your Tools and Set Up Your Workspace

Before you start, make sure you have the essential tools ready:

• Clay (usually about 1–2 pounds for a beginner piece)
• A water bucket for keeping the clay wet
• Sponge for adding moisture
• Needle tool, rib, and trimming tool for shaping and finishing
• Towel and apron to keep things tidy

Place your wheel at a comfortable height, and have your tools within easy reach. Set up in a way that allows you to focus on the wheel without distractions.

2. Wedge Your Clay

Wedging is a critical step that removes air bubbles and aligns the clay particles, making the clay more workable. Start by pressing and kneading the clay on a smooth surface, much like kneading dough. Use a rocking motion until the clay feels consistent and smooth, with no visible air pockets. Proper wedging makes a big difference in preventing cracks and ensuring a balanced piece.

3. Centering the Clay on the Wheel

Centering is essential to wheel throwing, but it can take practice to master. To center:

• Place the clay ball in the center of the wheel head, pressing it down firmly so it sticks.
• Start the wheel at a medium speed, keeping your hands and clay moist.
• Place your hands firmly around the clay, pressing inward to shape it into a cone.
• Use steady pressure to push the clay down, then back up into a cone, repeating this motion until the clay no longer wobbles and feels stable.

4. Opening the Clay

With the clay centered, you can now open up the middle:

• Keep your wheel spinning at a steady speed.
• Place your thumbs or fingers in the center of the clay, pressing downward to create a hole. Leave about a half-inch of clay at the bottom for a sturdy base.
• Slowly pull your fingers toward the edges to create the inside walls, being careful to keep even pressure so the opening remains symmetrical.

5. Pulling Up the Walls

This is where your piece starts to take shape. Pulling up the walls requires a steady hand and even pressure:

• Position one hand inside the pot and the other on the outside.
• Apply gentle pressure with your inside hand while pushing up with your outside hand, gradually pulling the clay upward.
• With each pull, the walls will become taller and thinner. Slow down the wheel slightly if needed for better control.
• Use a sponge to keep the clay moist and to smooth out the surface as you go.

6. Shaping the Pot

Once you have the desired height, it’s time to shape your piece:

• Adjust the pressure on the sides to create a rounded bowl, cylinder, or whatever shape you want.
• Experiment with your hand position and tools to refine the shape. You can use a rib tool to smooth the surface or create slight curves and angles.
• Take your time in shaping, as this is where you give your piece its final form.

7. Trimming the Base

Before finishing, clean up the base of your piece to remove any excess clay:

• Slow the wheel speed down and hold a sponge or trimming tool against the base to refine its shape.
• Run a wet sponge around the base to smooth it, creating a slight undercut if desired. This gives your piece a clean look and makes it easier to remove.

8. Removing the Piece from the Wheel

Once you’re happy with your piece, it’s time to remove it:

• Apply water around your piece onto the wheel
• Use a wire cutter to slide under the base, gently separating the piece from the wheel.
• Slide the wire back and forth until the piece is free, then carefully lift it off and place it on a board or surface to dry.

9. Letting Your Piece Dry

Allow your piece to dry until it reaches a leather-hard stage, which is firm but still slightly damp. This is when you can do additional trimming or add details if you like. Once it’s completely dry (bone dry), it’s ready for bisque firing, where it will transform from clay to ceramic.

10. Glazing and Final Firing

After bisque firing, your piece will be ready for glazing. Choose a glaze color and apply it evenly. Once glazed, it will go through a final glaze firing that gives it a finished look and makes it durable for use.

Conclusion

Learning to throw on the wheel is a skill that improves with each attempt. Follow these steps to create your first piece, and don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t turn out perfect—it’s all part of the learning process. Each piece you make will teach you more about the unique art of wheel throwing. If you are interested in learning at a hands-on approach, feel free to stop by Happy Hands Pottery & Art Studio for 1-Day or 6-Week wheel throwing workshops! Happy creating!