What Is It Called When You Spin Clay On A Wheel?

What is Wheel Throwing Pottery?

Wheel throwing, or wheel throwing pottery, is the process of sculpting clay into vessels and other shapes by rotating the clay rapidly on a spinning wheel. It is one of the most common ways of making pottery.

The origins of wheel throwing can be traced back over 4,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, where the earliest known potter’s wheels have been discovered. However, the technique likely dates back even further. Wheel throwing revolutionized pottery production, enabling potters to create symmetrical vessels with thinner walls and uniform shapes much more efficiently than handbuilding techniques.

Over the centuries, wheel throwing spread across many cultures and civilizations. It became especially prolific in China during the Tang Dynasty and in the Islamic world during the Middle Ages. By the 18th century, wheel throwing was a defining technique in European porcelain factories. Today it remains a staple technique for studio potters and ceramic artists all over the world.

At its essence, wheel throwing involves centering a ball or lump of clay on a rotating wheel head. The centrifugal force of the spinning clay enables potters to open up the form and shape it using their hands, simple tools, and the forces of gravity and wheel momentum. With practice, the spinning wheel allows for great control and consistency in producing pottery.

The Potter’s Wheel

A potter’s wheel is a device that spins a disk of clay to allow a potter to sculpt symmetrical pottery. The wheel enables the efficient production of uniform pieces with an even wall thickness. While the potter’s wheel has origins dating back thousands of years, the modern mechanical wheel provides adjustable speed controls and a rotating surface that can be kicked into motion using a foot pedal.

The main components of a potter’s wheel are:

• The wheel head, which is the circular platform that rotates.
• The flywheel, located under the wheel head, that provides momentum.
• The shaft that connects the wheel head and flywheel.
• The wheel head bearing that enables smooth rotation.
• An electric motor or foot pedal drive mechanism that spins the wheel head.

During throwing, the desired speed depends on factors like the clay type and size of the piece. The momentum of the flywheel smooths the rotation. The wheel head can be adjusted to various angles and heights to ergonomically suit the potter. Modern wheels allow control of speed and direction with a foot pedal.

While mechanized wheels are common today, historically potters used a momentum style kick wheel that was spun into motion by hand. Potters would form clay creations by slowing the spin with pressure from their hands. The advent of the modern potter’s wheel enabled faster, more consistent production.

Centering the Clay

Centering the clay properly is one of the most important steps in throwing pottery on the wheel. It involves securing a ball or lump of clay securely onto the center of the rotating pottery wheel.

Centering allows you to start with a symmetrical, balanced foundation for building up your pottery piece. It ensures the clay spins evenly without wobbling. According to Dowling Art, “Centering clay on pottery wheel is crucial for making symmetrical forms.”

To center the clay, start by securing it onto the wheel head firmly with both hands. Apply pressure while allowing the wheel to spin slowly. Use the pressure and weight of your hands to squeeze the clay into a compact cone shape. Continue applying pressure and allow the clay to rise up into a dome. Use the sides of your palms and fingers to bring the clay into an even, centered position. The goal is to have the clay spinning smoothly and evenly without any wobbling.

Taking the time to properly center your clay will lead to better results as you raise the walls and shape your pottery piece. Rushed or improper centering can lead to lopsided or uneven forms. Mastering this early step is essential for successful wheel throwing.

Opening the Clay

Once the clay has been centered on the wheel, the next step is to open up the solid ball of clay into a hollow cylinder shape. This process is sometimes referred to as “throwing the clay” or “pulling up the walls”.

To open the centered clay, the potter places one hand inside the ball of clay and one hand outside, thumbs pressed together. Applying gentle pressure between the thumbs, the potter slowly pulls up, opening a hole in the middle of the ball of clay. The hands continue moving up in unison, gently pulling the clay upward and outward while maintaining an even thickness and cylindrical shape.

It’s important to keep the clay lubricated with water during this process to prevent sticking and tearing. The opening should progress gradually, without forcing the clay. Pulling too quickly or aggressively can cause the walls to collapse. A steady, controlled motion allows the clay cylinder to be formed with an even wall thickness from top to bottom.

Once the clay has been opened into a cylinder roughly the intended height of the final piece, the next steps are raising the walls to their full height and shaping the basic interior and exterior profiles before refinement. Opening the centered clay is the foundation that sets up the rest of the process.

Raising the Walls

Once the clay is centered and opened on the potter’s wheel, it’s time to raise the walls. This takes some finesse and practice to raise the walls evenly. The basic technique is to place one hand inside the clay form to support the base while using the other hand on the outside to gently pull up the walls. Start with lighter pressure and slow movements. As the clay begins to rise, gradually increase pressure while continuing the pull upward. Apply even pressure with your fingers all the way around the form to raise the walls uniformly.

Keep your hands lubricated with water to prevent sticking. Support the base from inside the pot while shaping the outer walls. Move your outside hand up in stages, establishing one section of the wall before moving higher. Work slowly and methodically. Clay can be compressed downward if too much pressure is applied at once. Keep walls an even thickness throughout. Monitor progress frequently from all angles. Refine areas that are thicker or thinner as you build the basic form. Raising the walls takes patience as you find the right pressure and technique. With practice, you’ll gain a feel for smoothly drawing up well-balanced walls.

Shaping the Pot

Once you have centered and opened the clay on the potter’s wheel, the next step is to shape the actual pot using your hands. As the wheel spins at a constant speed, you will use your fingers, palms, and tools to raise the walls and form the basic shape of the vessel.

Start by placing both hands on the outside of the clay wall, applying even pressure as you allow the spinning motion to pull the clay upwards. Move your hands up in unison to raise the walls to the desired height. Use your thumbs on the inside to gently support the walls as they grow taller.

Next, shape the bottom into a nice curve by placing one hand inside and outside the pot. Apply pressure between your hands to refine the curve. Make sure the bottom is an even thickness by compressing the clay.

Now it’s time to shape the lip and rim. Use your fingers, a rib, or other tools to create a nicely tapered lip. Compress the rim by squeezing it between two tools or your fingers. A well-defined rim makes the pot look complete.

Throughout the process, keep the walls an even thickness by applying pressure from different angles. Trim away excess clay and refine the shape using your preferred tools and techniques. The possibilties are endless when shaping on the wheel!

With practice and patience, you will be able to shape beautifully uniform pots as the clay spins on the wheel. For more shaping tips, check out this excellent video: https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1109121031-potter-making-ceramic-pot-on-twisted-pottery

Trimming and Refining

Once the basic shape of the pot has been formed on the wheel, the next step is to trim and refine it using specialized tools. Trimming involves removing any excess clay from the bottom of the pot and smoothing out the foot. This is done using a special trimming tool or loop tool that scrapes away clay while the wheel is spinning. Trimming helps even out the bottom and compress the clay particles to create a nice flat surface for the pot to sit on.

After trimming, potters use a variety of metal ribbon tools and scrapers to refine the shape and smooth out the walls. These tools create clean lines, carve into the clay for decoration, and compress the surface. Finger tips and sponges can also be used to even out the texture. The refinement process is key for making elegantly shaped pots with thin, symmetrical walls. Taking the time to trim and refine the pot helps improve its durability, appearance, and overall quality once fired in the kiln. Special trimming tools like the pottery wheel cut off wire make this process much easier compared to improvised tools.

Common Vessel Shapes

When wheel throwing, potters can create a variety of utilitarian and decorative vessels. Some of the most common shapes include:

• Bowls – Bowls are one of the most basic and versatile vessels in pottery. They come in endless sizes and styles, from small dipping bowls to wide serving bowls. Bowls can have straight or curved sides.
• Mugs – Mugs are a type of bowl with a handle, designed for drinking hot beverages. They are one of the most popular and frequently-made items in pottery studios and classes. Mugs may have slightly curved or straight sides.
• Vases – Vases and jars are taller cylindrical vessels, usually with an opening narrower than the body. They are commonly used for displaying flowers or other objects. There are many possible variations of vase shapes and sizes.
• Plates – Plates are wide, flat dishes used for serving food. They can be completely flat or have slight contours. Plates come in an array of sizes for different purposes.

While these are some of the most common wheel thrown items, experienced potters can create countless other vessel forms limited only by their imagination and skill.

Decorating and Glazing

After the clay has dried to the leather-hard stage, potters will often decorate or apply colored glazes to their pieces before firing. There are many options for decorating wheel-thrown pottery:

Applying slips – A slip is a liquid clay mixture that can be used to coat the pottery before firing for decoration or to improve surface texture. Popular techniques include using colored slips to accent certain areas or sgraffito, which involves carving into a layer of colored slip to reveal the clay body underneath.

Underglazes – Underglazes are colored glazes that are applied before a clear glaze and get fired into the clay. They allow for colorful designs. Underglazes can be painted on using brushes, sponges, or other tools. Decorating Wheel Thrown Pottery with Speedball Underglaze

Inlay – Inlay involves pressing colored clays or other materials into the leather-hard surface to create patterns and textures. Inlaid materials like glass or metals will fire into place in the kiln.

Carving or imprinting – The clay surface can be carved, stamped, or imprinted when leather-hard using tools to create textures and designs.

Clear glazing – After decorating, clear glazing helps seal and protect the clay during firing. Glazes come in various finishes from glossy to matte.

Tips for Beginners

If you’re new to wheel throwing pottery, it can feel intimidating at first. However, with some helpful tips and practice, you’ll be centering clay and throwing pots in no time. Here are some useful tips for beginner wheel throwers:

Start with soft clay. Beginners will have an easier time centering and opening softer clay bodies like stoneware or porcelain. Avoid very stiff clays until you’ve built up some skills.

Wedge your clay well. Take 5-10 minutes to properly wedge your clay before throwing. This eliminates air pockets and creates an even, homogeneous clay consistency.

Center small. Begin by centering just a pound or two of clay. Larger amounts are more difficult to center for beginners.

Take it slow. Focus on centering before opening. Rushing the process leads to wobbling and uneven throws.

Use both hands. Support the clay on both the inside and outside while centering. Keep even pressure on both hands.

Watch your water use. Keep a sponge handy, but avoid over-wetting the clay which can lead to sagging.

Practice trimming. Trimming refined rims takes dexterity. Don’t get frustrated—it just takes practice.

Have fun! Mistakes and imperfect pots are part of the learning process. Focus on enjoying the meditative process.

Take a class. Consider taking a beginner wheel throwing class at a local studio – having an experienced teacher provide tips can accelerate learning.