Course: How to Center Clay — A Beginner's Guide, Topic: Step 1: Preparing the Clay

Topic outline

Introduction
- Select activity Centering the clay is the cornerstone of throwing ...
  
  Centering the clay is the cornerstone of throwing on the wheel. It's the process that must be done before any pot can be formed, and the aim of this tutorial is to go over that process in exact detail, alongside discussing many of the tips and tricks learned over the years.

Step 1: Preparing the Clay
- Select activity 1.1 It begins with clay, but more specifically, it...
  
  1.1
  It begins with clay, but more specifically, it's the wedging of clay which is important for throwing. Simply put, this is the process of kneading clay until it's one even texture throughout and void of any air pockets that might lie within. These irregularities will only make the centering and throwing process more difficult, which makes it a step you don't want to skip, as learning to center can be difficult enough already as a beginner.
- Select activity 1.2 The first thing we'll discuss is the shape of ...
  
  1.2
  The first thing we'll discuss is the shape of the lumps of clay used to throw with. You want them to be regular, ideally with a rounded base, so when thrown against the wheel it doesn't trap air beneath it. With either conical tapering walls that lead up to the top, or perhaps more easily for a beginner, you should pat a well-wedged lump of clay into a ball shape.
- Select activity 1.3 What you don't want to use is an irregular sha...
  
  1.3
  What you don't want to use is an irregular shape, as although you can center lumps like that, as a beginner it'll be far more difficult. So make sure the lumps of clay you're using are well-wedged and regular in shape, and now the centering can begin.