Learning to ‘Throw’ on the Potters Wheel

‘Throwing’ is the term used for creating forms on the potters wheel. It’s a skill that requires an interesting blend of being firm yet gentle with the clay.
Most students need about 6 to 8 sessions on the wheel to become proficient in throwing a form of about 4 to 5 inches in height.

Shubhangi centres the lump of clay on the wheel

Katie begins with the lifting of the clay after it is centred

After a thrown form is leather-hard (a level of dryness where the clay is firm, does not lose its shape but can still be worked/ carved on), the final finishing of the piece is done on the potters wheel using a technique know as ‘Turning’. Specially designed metal turning tools are used to complete the form on the wheel.

Meera turns her bowl on the wheel when it is leather-hard