The Basics of Pottery

Pottery is the art of shaping and firing clay to create useful, utilitarian objects. From cooking pots to vases, pottery has been used throughout history to improve people’s lives and enhance their surroundings. It has never been more popular than now, and we don’t expect that to change anytime soon.

Early humans learned that heating formed clay could transform it into a new material that was more durable than wood or pewter, making it possible to produce items that were more practical and useful in their daily lives. As civilization advanced so too did pottery, becoming more sophisticated in terms of design and function.

There are two main techniques for creating pottery: wheel throwing and handbuilding. Handbuilding, also known as pinch pots, involves gathering clay in your hands and forming it into the shape you want to make. This allows for a greater degree of control which makes it the ideal technique for beginners.

The clay you work with is called the “body”, and the composition of it can vary greatly. Whether a potter is using an earthenware, stoneware or porcelain body, each will have specific properties that determine how it behaves in a kiln and its characteristics after firing.

For example, a porcelain body is very fine and sensitive to deformation during drying and firing. A porcelain potter must have training and experience to be able to handle such a delicate clay, especially when adding decorations that require carving or inlay. In addition, a potter will need to understand how the firing temperature of a ceramic changes its properties. For instance, a red glaze will only turn the right color when fired in a kiln that is operated under reduction conditions.

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