Wheel Throwing for Beginners: Master Techniques to Craft Functional Pottery
A course by Isaih PorterPottery instructor and wheel-throwing guide
A course by Isaih Porter, Pottery instructor and wheel-throwing guide
Learn wheel throwing fundamentals to create pottery like mugs, bowls, and jars with essential techniques and tips
Discover the art of wheel throwing and transform clay into beautiful, functional pottery pieces. This course covers the essentials of working with a potter’s wheel, guiding you through the creation of various forms such as mugs, bowls, and lidded jars. Learn to select the right clay, master essential techniques like centering, pulling, and trimming, and explore glazing and firing methods to bring your creations to life. Each lesson is designed to build your confidence and enhance your skills, allowing you to produce unique and meaningful ceramic artworks.
Ideal for beginners and more experienced potters, this course offers a comprehensive exploration of wheel throwing. You'll gain insights into the drying and glazing processes, ensuring your pieces are both durable and aesthetically pleasing. Through hands-on projects and expert guidance, discover how to refine your techniques and develop your personal style. Whether creating for personal enjoyment or to share with others, this course provides the foundation needed to express creativity through pottery.
What will you learn in this online course?
22 lessons & 30 downloads
Centering the Clay
16 minutes, 17 seconds
Pulling the Walls 2
8 minutes, 58 seconds
Techniques for Creating Handles
17 minutes, 12 seconds
Throwing a Jar
15 minutes, 58 seconds
Glazing the Pieces 1
15 minutes, 8 seconds
Firing and Final Process
12 minutes, 16 seconds
What's included in this course?
Embark on a journey into the world of wheel throwing, where you'll master the essentials of pottery creation. Dive into the intricate process of selecting the right clay bodies, understanding their unique characteristics, and preparing them for use. Develop hands-on skills with the potter's wheel, learning to center clay with precision, pull walls, and shape it into various forms such as mugs, bowls, and jars. The course will guide you through the entire creation process, from forming your initial piece to refining its details.
Explore advanced techniques to trim and refine your pieces, ensuring a polished finish. Delve into the art of glazing, discovering methods for achieving a flawless surface and vibrant colors. Gain insight into firing processes, understanding how different temperatures and atmospheres affect your creations. With these skills in your toolkit, you’ll be able to produce beautiful, functional pottery with confidence. Engage with a community of fellow enthusiasts, sharing insights, tips, and your progress as you hone your craft.
What is this course's project?
Create a small body of work, including a mug, a bowl, and a jar, by mastering wheel-throwing techniques. Gain confidence to craft functional and beautiful pottery pieces for everyday use.
Who is this online course for?
Aspiring potters and creative enthusiasts eager to explore the art of wheel throwing will find this course ideal. Whether you're a beginner or seeking advanced techniques, you'll gain valuable insights into crafting functional, beautiful pottery using a potter's wheel.
Requirements and materials
Access to a pottery wheel and kiln is essential. No extensive prior knowledge is required, but having basic understanding of ceramics is helpful. Gather materials like clay, pottery tools, and a workspace to get started on your pottery journey.
Reviews
- 5 days ago
A very enjoyable course with excellent content, clearly explained and easy to follow. Thank you!
- abraxas0905PLUS16 days ago
Muchas veces es dificil conseguir clases de torno en cerámica y tenerlo a la mano online, es de lujo!
- 4 months ago
as explicacoes sao muito didaticas e faceis de entender. A camera consegue mostrar precisamente o que o professor fala. Ja fiz muitos cursos presenciais, esse realmente ajuda muito a enteder de forma perfeita os conceitis
- 4 months ago
Me encanta, el profesor explica de una forma muy clara y pausada, es fácil seguir las indicaciones.
- 5 months ago
One of the best courses I have followed. I would like to watch another one with the same teacher. Thank you!
Isaih's work has garnered attention and collaborations, including a notable partnership with Bombay Sapphire Gin. His teaching experience spans online workshops and in-person classes, where he passionately advocates for the therapeutic and creative benefits of working with clay. His dedication to the craft led to the establishment of his small business, providing custom pottery for local restaurants, yoga studios, and galleries. Isaih's journey reflects a deep commitment to both his art and the ceramic community, making him a respected figure in contemporary pottery.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Preparing for Wheel Throwing
- Understanding the Tools and Materials
- Preparing the Clay: Wedging
- U3
Basics of Wheel Throwing
- Centering the Clay
- Opening the Clay and Creating the Floor
- Pulling the Walls 1
- Pulling the Walls 2
- U4
Creating the First Piece: The Mug
- Throwing a Mug Body
- Techniques for Creating Handles
- Trimming the Mud and Attaching Handles 1
- Trimming the Mud and Attaching Handles 2
- U5
Creating Other Pieces
- Throwing a Bowl
- Throwing a Jar
- Creating and Fitting the Lid
- U6
Trimming and Refining
- Understanding the Drying Process
- Trimming Techniques for Different Forms 1
- Techniques for Different Forms 2
- Refining Details and Adding Features
- U7
Glazing and Finishing
- Glazing the Pieces 1
- Glazing the Pieces 2
- Firing and Final Process
- FP
Final project
- Introduction to Wheel Throwing
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this pottery course is designed for beginners and covers foundational techniques, including clay preparation, wheel throwing, and handle attachment. No prior experience is needed.
You’ll need basic pottery tools such as a pottery wheel, trimming tools, sponges, ribs, a needle tool, wire cutter, and clay. Some lessons may also use a kiln and glazing supplies.
You’ll learn essential pottery techniques like wheel throwing, trimming, attaching handles, glazing, and finishing. The course also covers design, ergonomics, surface treatment, kiln use, and managing pottery projects.
Yes, the course covers score and slip methods, handle pulling, positioning, blending joints, refining edges, and cleaning attachment marks for mug handles.
The course includes guidance on using social media, filming pottery process videos for Instagram, and leveraging digital platforms to grow your creative practice.
Yes, there is content on building a backyard kiln and understanding kiln firing for home pottery production.
Yes, you’ll learn large-scale pottery methods and business tips for handling large pottery orders efficiently and maintaining quality.