Topic outline

  • Introduction

    • 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 6: Adding Water
►Step 8: Other Hand Positions

  • Step 7: Horizontal and Vertical Pressure

    • 7.1
      Apply horizontal pressure with your left hand and vertical pressure with your right hand.

    • 7.2
      Push down directly over the middle of the piece of clay, matching the pressure your left arm is applying. This part is really important: applying both even pressure from the side and the top.

    • 7.3
      If the pressure exerted with your left hand is too great, the lump of clay will cone up, and if you push down too firmly with your right hand, you'll squash the piece of clay down into a pancake. So it's an even amount of pressure from both the side and the top which is what we're after.

    • 7.4
      I sometimes take the slip from the wheel head itself to lubricate the lump.


◄Step 6: Adding Water
►Step 8: Other Hand Positions