When you’re starting a new pottery course, one of your first decisions is whether to choose wheel throwing or hand building. Both methods provide an exciting learning experience but have unique attributes that distinguish them from each other.
What Is Wheel Throwing?
When throwing on the wheel, the artist spins a pot from a ball of clay, shaped with their hands and basic equipment. Most often, the wheel is used to create symmetrical objects such as cups, bowls, and plates. The process starts by centering the clay on the wheel, and students find that this can be one of the most difficult, yet also most rewarding, aspects of wheel throwing.
Benefits of Wheel Throwing
- Great for creating a symmetrical, and functional, piece.
- Allows artists to efficiently make multiple pieces of the same shape.
- Provides opportunity to build technical skills like precision and control.
- Offers an entertaining and hands-on art experience.
There is something satisfying to many students about the way the wheel throws clay.
What Is Hand Building?
Hand building is one of the most traditional techniques, dating back thousands of years, and doesn’t require using a pottery wheel at all. Using various methods such as slab, pinching, and coiling, artists manually shape their clay into an object.
This method can encourage more creative experimentation, since the artist is not restricted by the need for symmetry. It often lends itself to organic or sculptural pieces.
Benefits of Hand Building
- Requires fewer tools and equipment than wheel throwing.
- Great for creating organic or unique shapes and objects.
- Allows freedom to play with clay and experiment.
- Can be a great starting point for students new to clay.
Hand building is accessible for many beginners, making it a great choice for starting out.
Which Pottery Method Is Best for Beginners?
The answer to this question depends on the artist and what they want to achieve with their creative work. If you’re interested in pottery that you can use to serve food or hold liquid, wheel throwing is likely the best path. If you prefer more sculptural or decorative objects, then hand building may be more appropriate for your artistic goals.
Luckily, many pottery classes start out by introducing students to both methods, allowing them to decide which is their favorite.
Is It Possible to Use Both Methods?
It sure is. In fact, it’s quite common for ceramicists to combine wheel and hand building within the same piece. For example, a thrown piece may eventually have hand-built decorations applied. The possibilities for incorporating wheel and hand-building techniques into one object are endless. Combining methods can increase your artistic potential as a pottery student, opening up new possibilities to you.
Choose a Method to Fit Your Style
While it might seem difficult to determine whether hand-building or wheel-throwing is the more suitable choice to start out, there is no “right” method. It all comes down to what you enjoy the most. Some artists love the precise nature of wheel throwing, while others prefer the tactile experience of hand-building their pieces. The best way to learn which suits you the best? Pick them both up and give them a try!