Why Every New Potter Should Take A Pottery Class

I was thinking of making pottery when I first thought of it. All you need is a wheel, clay, water and some glaze. It’s not difficult, is it? It is not difficult, but I didn’t know much. Making pottery is all about the basics, but there is more.

If I hadn’t taken pottery classes, I wouldn’t be creating pottery in my living room, which has been transformed into a pottery studio.

Here’s what I learned and what you can expect. I will also tell you how classes in pottery-making can speed up your learning. I am not saying that you cannot learn pottery without classes. I’m just pointing out the many benefits of classes. These are the reasons every potter should learn pottery-making skills.

Take note: Not all studios are the same. Different rules, equipment, and supplies may be used in different studios.

Get hands-on training

Playing with clay is a great way to get a feel of how it feels in your hands.

It is very useful to watch videos. It is a great idea to have someone watching you when you first start. This will ensure that your elbows are not flying around in the air and the wheel doesn’t spin out of control. It is funny how quickly you can get lost in playing with clay and not realize that your foot is speeding up.

It can be difficult to throw clay on the wheel if you’ve never done it before. However, videos can help you learn a lot more than videos can. You will need some hands-on assistance.

Help You with Centering and Pulling

Many beginners have difficulty with centering. It is nice to have someone to support you. They will be able to see where you’re going wrong and offer suggestions for what you can do. The instructor will guide you in the right direction and hold your hand.

It’s great to see the instructor’s hands when you’re learning how to pull up a cylindrical. The instructor will help you determine how much pressure you should apply, how fast the wheel is spinning and how fast your fingers are pulling the cylinder up.

Clay: Learn More

I believed that clays differ only in their color, but I quickly discovered I was wrong. I didn’t know there were different clays for firing temperatures when I first received my clay bag. Knowing your clay’s cone size (firing temp) is the most important rule. You will need a new shelf if you have a cone 5 clay clay.

Learn about the different clay bodies that can be used for wheel throwing. Because we tend to spend more time with clay, the instructors can tell which clay bodies are best for beginners. It takes more time to center your clay and build the walls. This is normal for everyone starting out. This is like a baby learning to walk. You don’t just get up and start walking. It’s okay to make mistakes, it’s clay.

You will get to know clay better and you’ll be able to experiment with different clay bodies until the one you like best. I was even given different clays by fellow potters.
I am the first to ask for some of their clay and they immediately reply, “What size cone is it?”

My instructor told me that some people find their dream clay while others are on an never-ending search. It took me awhile, but eventually I found my dream clay. At least for now.

The Right Way to Wedge

I have learned a lot from watching videos about wedging. It is important to understand how clay should feel. Instructors will touch your clay to ensure it isn’t too hard or too soft when you take a class. The instructor will also ensure that you don’t create air bubbles, instead of eliminating them.

Learn More About Other Potters

It’s a great way to meet other potters in a pottery studio. It was very helpful for me. It allows you to share your pottery-making tips and techniques, as well as the knowledge gained along the way. My fellow potters were most helpful to me.

You can also choose to be alone. We tend to support each other and encourage one another, and we enjoy creating pottery together.

Through taking pottery classes, I have formed lasting friendships that transcend the classroom. It’s great to have a group of like-minded crafters when you are taking up any hobby or craft. It’s great to connect with other novice potters and share our knowledge. Even seasoned potters will jump onboard and be more than happy to help you learn and share their knowledge. It’s great to show others what you have created and finish it. It’s also fun to see their creations.

Have a look at pottery wheels

It is not a smart idea to buy a Pottery Wheel and never use it. To experience the feeling of a pottery wheel, you cannot rent it. No one rents pottery wheels, as far as I know. What are you to do? This is where the pottery studio steps in.

I recommend going to pottery workshops if you don’t know anyone who has a wheel. A few classes will give you an idea of the basics of pottery wheel making. WARNING: Throwing on a Wheel can become addictive. I fell in love with the wheel my first time. I could not wait to throw again. It was then that I realized it was time for me to purchase a new wheel.

Find out when and how to trim

While I enjoy watching trimming videos and learning a lot, I was not able to feel how the clay should feel when I trim. The instructor will have you touch the clay to show you how to trim. This allows you to feel the leathery texture of the clay and the best times to trim.

You can experiment with different tools at Studio I. It is great to have access to so many decorative tools. I only buy the tools I love for my home studio. Students let me use their tools and I found them very useful. This has helped me save a lot of money, as I wouldn’t have to purchase the tools to see if they were for me.

How clay should feel when handbuilding

Hand building is easy and fun. There are many ways you can play with clay. It is important to take a class in the beginning. This is similar to using the wheel. To ensure that your clay is both soft and strong, you need to feel the texture of the clay. Also, you want to prevent air bubbles from forming in your clay.

The Slab Roller is a great tool!

Slab rollers can be used for handbuilding or throwing. The slab roller is useful for adding ons when you are throwing a piece of material onto the wheel. What are add-ons, you ask? Add-ons can be anything, from handles to cutouts that are easy to slip onto your pottery. I have slipped on butterflies, dragons and leaves from my pottery.

Many potters that I know combine handbuilding and throwing to create beautiful pieces of pottery. It is important to learn how to use a slab roller before you buy one.

Know when to set fire to a biscuit

It is equally important to know when you should bisque. It’s important to know when to bisque your pottery. They will be happy to provide tips for drying your pottery.

Glazing Help

Glazing was my greatest fear. Because I was afraid of melting my glaze on the shelf, I extended it. I was able to glaze with the help of my instructors. They also helped me determine how much glaze was appropriate. Your glaze will not fully cover your pottery if it is too thin. Glazes that are too thick will melt and fuse to your kiln shelf.

Access to a Kiln

You can’t rent or lease a kiln to use in your home. You can’t rent a kiln. Kilns require special outlets to provide the power they require to vitrify (fuse together) your glazes and clay.

You might find someone who has a kiln that you can rent or use, or take classes.
A kiln can be a large investment. Before you make the investment, you should enjoy the art of pottery making.

Classes are a great way to learn how to maintain a kiln, before you purchase your own. It will be easy to see how different temperatures affect different clay bodies, glazes, and kiln sizes. You will also find out which size kiln is best suited for your pottery-making needs.

The Final Wrap-Up – Take a pottery class

It can take a while to learn the basics of pottery making. It can take up to a month for one piece of pottery to be completed.
You can learn techniques and tips from books and videos on pottery-making. A video or book cannot put their hands on yours and tell you how to use pressure or how the clay should feel at each stage.

Some of the points that I mentioned about centering, pulling and wedging are much easier to understand when you have an instructor beside you with encouragement and corrections if necessary.

Before you even consider making a pot of clay, I recommend every beginner sign up for a class in pottery. This is what I did and I’m sharing the information with you.