Have you ever wondered about the fascinating art of pottery making? In this article, we will explore the various techniques used to create beautiful pottery pieces. From the ancient pottery wheel to hand-building methods, you will discover the secrets behind this age-old craft. So, get ready to embark on a journey through the world of pottery, where creativity and skill come together to produce stunning works of art. Making pottery is a creative and fulfilling process. There are various techniques that you can use to shape and mold clay into beautiful and functional objects. In this article, we will explore some of the most common handbuilding techniques, wheel throwing, slipcasting, press molding, jiggering and jolleying, extrusion, slip trailing, mold making, and raku firing. Each technique offers its own unique advantages and allows you to create pottery in different ways. So let’s dive in and explore the exciting world of pottery making!

Handbuilding Techniques

Pinching

Pinching is one of the oldest and simplest techniques for shaping clay. All you need are your hands and some clay. To begin, take a small piece of clay and start pinching it between your thumb and fingers. As you continue to pinch and rotate the clay, it will gradually take on a desired shape. Pinching allows you to create both small and large pieces with ease, and it’s a great technique for beginners.

Coiling

Coiling is another handbuilding technique that involves creating long, snake-like coils of clay and layering them on top of one another. By pressing the coils together, you can build up the walls of your pottery piece. Coiling is a versatile technique that allows for a wide range of shapes and sizes. It’s often used to create vessels with organic and sculptural forms.

Slab Construction

slab construction involves rolling out flat sheets of clay, just like rolling out dough. These clay sheets, also known as slabs, can then be cut and pieced together to create various forms. Slabs can be molded over molds or draped over forms to create bowls, plates, and even more complex structures. Slab construction offers a lot of flexibility and precision in creating pottery.

Wheel Throwing

Preparing the Clay

Before you can begin wheel throwing, it’s important to prepare your clay. Start by wedging the clay to remove any air bubbles and ensure its consistency. Wedging involves kneading the clay on a smooth surface to make it uniform and ready for throwing.

Centering

Centering is a crucial step in wheel throwing as it sets the foundation for creating balanced and symmetrical pottery. To center the clay, place it on the wheel head and use your hands to apply even pressure while the wheel is spinning. With practice, you will learn to feel when the clay is perfectly centered and ready for shaping.

Opening

Once the clay is centered, it’s time to open up the form. Use your thumbs to press down on the center of the clay to create a depression. Gradually widen the depression to create an opening that will serve as the base for your pottery.

Pulling

After the form is open, you can start pulling the clay upward to create height and shape. Using both hands, gently squeeze and lift the clay, allowing it to rise and take on the desired form. This step requires patience and control to maintain the desired thickness and shape.

Shaping and Trimming

Once you have achieved the desired height and shape, it’s time to refine the details of your pottery. Use various tools, such as ribs and sponge, to smooth and shape the surface. Lastly, you can trim the excess clay from the base of your pottery to create a clean and finished look.

Slipcasting

Creating a Mold

Slipcasting is a technique that involves creating pottery from liquid clay, also known as slip. To begin, you first need to create a mold. The mold can be made from plaster or other suitable materials. The shape of the mold will determine the shape of your final piece.

Pouring Slip

Once the mold is ready, it’s time to pour the slip into the mold. Hold the mold at an angle and pour the slip slowly, allowing it to flow and coat the interior surface of the mold evenly. The mold will absorb the moisture from the slip, leaving a solid layer of clay on its surface.

Removing Excess Slip

After a specific amount of time, the excess slip is poured out of the mold. This is done to create the desired thickness of the final pottery piece. The time required for the slip to set varies depending on the size and complexity of the piece being cast.

Demolding

Once the slip has set and reached the desired thickness, the mold can be carefully opened to reveal the pottery piece. The piece will still be fragile at this stage, so it’s important to handle it with care. From here, the piece can be further refined and finished through trimming and surface decoration techniques.

Press Molding

Preparing the Clay

Preparing the clay for press molding is similar to preparing it for other techniques. Wedge the clay to remove air bubbles and make it uniform in consistency. The clay should be pliable and easy to work with.

Creating a Pattern or Template

To create a mold for press molding, you will need a pattern or template of the desired shape. This can be made from various materials such as wood, plaster, or even existing objects. Press the pattern into the clay to create an impression.

Pressing the Clay into the Mold

After creating the pattern, place the clay on top of the mold and press it down firmly. Use your fingers or a roller to ensure that the clay evenly fills the mold and takes on its shape. Remove any excess clay and smooth the edges.

Removing and Finishing

Once the clay has taken on the shape of the mold, carefully remove it from the mold. The clay piece may need further refinements and finishing touches, such as smoothing rough edges or adding decorative elements. Continue to work on the piece until you’re satisfied with the final result.

Jiggering and Jolleying

Jiggering

Jiggering is a pottery making technique that involves using a rotating mold to shape clay into a specific form. The clay is pressed onto a jiggering tool mounted on a pottery wheel, which shapes the clay as it spins. This technique allows for precise and consistent production of pottery pieces.

Jolleying

Jolleying is a similar technique to jiggering, but instead of a rotating mold, a stationary tool is used to shape the clay. The tool, called a jolley, is pressed against the clay while the wheel spins. Jolleying is often used for creating detailed and intricate designs on the surfaces of pottery pieces.

Extrusion

Preparing the Clay

To begin with extrusion, the clay needs to be prepared by wedging it to remove any air bubbles and make it uniform in consistency. The clay should be pliable and easy to work with.

Loading the Clay into the Extruder

The extruder is a machine that pushes clay through a shaped opening to create different forms. Load the prepared clay into the extruder and secure it in place. The extruder will then apply pressure to push the clay through the opening.

Extruding the Clay

Once the clay is loaded, turn on the extruder and slowly apply pressure to extrude the clay through the opening. The clay will take on the shape of the opening and be consistently formed as it comes out of the extruder. You can experiment with different shapes and sizes of openings to create a variety of forms.

Cutting and Shaping

After extruding the clay, you can cut it to the desired length and shape. Use a wire cutter or knife to trim the extruded clay and create the desired form. The extruded clay can be further shaped and refined using various tools and techniques to achieve the desired look.

Slip Trailing

Preparing the Slip

To start slip trailing, you need to prepare the slip. Slip is a liquid clay mixture that can be used to create decorative designs on pottery. The slip should be of a consistency that allows for smooth application.

Loading the Slip into a Container

Once the slip is prepared, load it into a container with a narrow nozzle or spout. This will allow for controlled application of the slip onto the pottery surface. The container should be easy to hold and manipulate.

Applying the Slip

Hold the container with slip in your dominant hand and position it just above the pottery surface. Apply gentle pressure to the container to release a steady stream of slip. Move your hand in a controlled manner to create the desired design or pattern on the pottery.

Decorating with Slip

Slip trailing allows for creative expression through decorative designs and patterns. Experiment with different techniques, such as layering slip colors or using various tools to create texture. The slip can be applied to both wet and dry surfaces, offering endless possibilities for decoration.

Mold Making

Creating a Prototype

To make a mold, you first need to create a prototype or original object. This can be made from clay or another material of your choice. The prototype will serve as a model for creating the mold.

Making the Mold

The most common material used for making molds is plaster. Mix plaster and water to create a smooth, pourable consistency. Pour the plaster mixture over the prototype, ensuring that it covers the entire object. Allow the plaster to set and dry completely before continuing.

Preparing the Clay

Once the mold is dry, it needs to be prepared for use. Remove any excess plaster and smooth the surface of the mold. Coat the interior of the mold with a release agent, such as mold soap or talcum powder, to prevent the clay from sticking.

Filling and Releasing the Mold

To create a pottery piece using the mold, press or pour the prepared clay into the mold. Apply even pressure to ensure that the clay evenly fills the entire mold. Once the clay has set, carefully remove the piece from the mold. The resulting pottery will have the shape and texture of the mold.

Raku Firing

Preparing the Pot

Raku firing is a unique and dramatic firing technique that originated in Japan. Before beginning the firing process, make sure your pottery piece is bone dry. Remove any dust or debris from the surface, as they can affect the final results.

Firing the Pot

Raku firing involves taking the pottery piece and placing it in a hot kiln. The kiln is usually heated to around 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. The pottery is subjected to the intense heat for a short period of time, typically a few hours.

Reduction Process

After the pottery has been fired, it is quickly removed from the kiln using tongs or other tools and placed into a container with combustible materials, such as sawdust or newspaper. The container is then sealed, causing the materials to burn and create a reducing atmosphere. This reduction process leads to unique and unpredictable colors and patterns on the pottery surface.

Post-Firing Techniques

Once the pottery has cooled, it can be gently cleaned to remove any ash or residue from the reduction process. Some artists choose to wax or polish the surface to enhance the colors and textures. Raku fired pottery may have a characteristic crackled appearance, adding to its aesthetic appeal.

In conclusion, making pottery offers a vast array of techniques and methods for creating unique and beautiful objects. Whether you prefer handbuilding techniques like pinching or coiling, wheel throwing, slipcasting, press molding, jiggering and jolleying, extrusion, slip trailing, mold making, or exploring the dramatic effects of raku firing, there is something for everyone to enjoy. So grab some clay, unleash your creativity, and let your hands bring your artistic vision to life!