How to center clay on the pottery wheel

Centering clay on the wheel is one of the most crucial parts of wheel throwing. The clay particles are already forced into a spiral during the wedging process. Centering on the wheel adds to the strength of all the clay particles in a strong force that reduces the possibility of cracks. If the clay is not centered correctly, pulling up the walls of the vessel becomes a nightmare.

Did you know that you can set the pottery wheel to spin clockwise or anti-clockwise? For right-handed potters, the pottery wheel should spin counterclockwise, while left-handed throwers should switch the direction of the wheel head to a clockwise motion. 

Throwing on the wheel is easier if you use a good throwing technique instead of using brute force to center the clay. It is easier to center the clay if your elbow is locked on your upper leg. There is a much stronger force when your leg pushes the clay instead of relying just on your arms.

This video clip is part of the Understanding Porcelain e-course by Antoinette Badenhorst. TeachinArt brings ceramic workshops into pottery studios around the world. Remote ceramic teaching helps to bridge the gap between college students and hobby potters. 

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