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Pottery Wheel vs Hand-building

Compare the pros and cons of using a pottery wheel vs hand-building

At UK British ceramics, we understand the joy and satisfaction that comes with creating beautiful pottery pieces. Whether you’re a seasoned potter or just starting out, you may have heard about two main techniques in pottery-making: wheel throwing and hand building.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two techniques and help you determine which one is right for you.

Wheel Throwing: What is it and How is it Done?

Wheel throwing is a popular pottery-making technique that involves using a potter’s wheel to shape clay into various forms. The process involves spinning the wheel while shaping the clay using your hands and various tools.

The potter’s wheel is a device that has been used in pottery-making for centuries. It allows potters to create symmetrical forms and vessels with relative ease. See the quick guide ‘how to make more pottery on a wheel‘ for more information.

When working with a potter’s wheel, it’s important to have a good understanding of the different stages of clay. This includes the plastic stage, where the clay is malleable and can be shaped, and the leather-hard stage, where the clay is still pliable but has begun to dry out and harden.

Hand Building: What is it and How is it Done?

Hand building is a pottery-making technique that involves shaping clay by hand, without the use of a potter’s wheel. This technique can be used to create a wide variety of forms, from simple pinch pots to complex sculptures.

There are several different techniques that fall under the umbrella of hand building, including coil building, slab building, and pinch building.

Coil building involves creating long, thin rolls of clay and stacking them on top of each other to create a form. Slab building involves rolling out flat sheets of clay and cutting them into shapes that are then assembled into a form. Pinch building involves using your fingers to pinch and shape the clay into a form.

Differences Between Wheel Throwing and Hand Building

While both wheel throwing and hand building involve shaping clay into various forms, there are some key differences between the two techniques.

One of the main differences is the level of precision and control. With a potter’s wheel, potters can create symmetrical forms with consistent thickness and shape. Hand building, on the other hand, often results in more organic and irregular forms.

Another difference is the level of physical exertion required. Wheel throwing can be physically demanding, as potters need to constantly use their hands and arms to shape the clay while the wheel is spinning. Hand building can also be physically demanding, but it generally involves less repetitive motion.

Which Technique is Right for You?

Deciding whether to use wheel throwing or hand building largely depends on your personal preferences and the type of pottery wheels you use and the forms you want to create.

If you’re interested in creating symmetrical forms with consistent thickness and shape, wheel throwing may be the best option for you. If you’re interested in creating more organic and irregular forms, or if you prefer a more tactile approach to pottery-making, hand building may be the better choice.

Conclusion

At UK British ceramics, we’re passionate about pottery-making and helping people discover their own unique style and approach. Whether you choose to use wheel throwing, hand building, or a combination of both techniques, we hope this article has helped you understand the differences between these two popular pottery-making techniques.

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