Wheel Throwing is Fun!

Pottery wheels enable ceramic artists to create a wide variety of useful objects such as vases, mugs, and bowls. Wheel throwing can be tricky to learn at first, but those who keep trying will soon discover that it is both fun and rewarding. Start by wedging the clay thoroughly. Take the clay and knead in the same way that bread dough is kneaded. This eliminates air bubbles from the clay, and also ensures that the water in the clay is distributed evenly. Separate the mound of clay into chunks of one to one and a half pounds each, and roll each chunk into a ball. From this point it is a good idea to be wearing an apron, or place a towel on your lap to avoid soiling your clothes. Place a ball of clay on the pottery wheel as close to the center as possible. Press down on the clay to make it stick to the surface of the wheel so that it doesn't fly off when the wheel starts to spin. Once the clay is firmly placed on the wheel, begin to spin the wheel slowly.



Pat and mold the clay into a cone or hill-type shape, all the while maneuvering the clay towards the wheel's center. Wetting your hands frequently to moisten the clay, slowly increase the wheel's speed (this is easy to do with electric wheels). Brace your arms against your thighs or knees to force the mound of clay into the center of the wheel. Brace your arms against your legs so that your entire body acts to center the clay. Centering is the key step in the throwing process because the pottery can wobble and fall over if it is not centered properly. Automatic centering devices are available from clay supply houses to assist in this process.



When the clay is centered it will rotate evenly, with no wobble. Then, using your thumb, make a hole in the center of the clay. Keeping your thumb still by bracing it with your other hand, force downward into the clay until the base is about one quarter inch thick. Gently place your fingers into the opening and pull outwards gently in order to open the clay up. Brace the outside surface of the clay with your other hand to support it. Pull the walls of the clay up by reaching inside and making a small protrusion; then with one hand outside and the other inside, gently squeeze the clay to pull it up.



It takes several pulls to accomplish this (not just one pull). When the walls are about a quarter inch thick, trim the base of the object, then let it sit for half an hour before removing it from Brent pottery wheels by pulling a wire tool under the base of the object to separate it from the wheel. Let the object dry until it is leather-hard, then trim it as necessary.

Wheel throwing is fun and easy using the QuickCenter automatic centering device available from AMACO's Brent pottery wheels. AMACO also has a complete line of foot and electric wheels for both amateurs and professionals.