Wheel Throwing for Beginners: Master Techniques to Craft Functional Pottery

Preparing the Clay: Wedging

A course by Isaih Porter , Pottery instructor and wheel-throwing guide

79 students

Audio: English, Spanish

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About the video: Preparing the Clay: Wedging

Overview

“Before we jump in and put the clay onto the wheel, you need to prepare the clay by kneading, or “wedging” it. When done correctly, the wedging process will remove disastrous air bubbles and homogenize the clay, so there aren’t any parts of the clay that are harder or softer than others. ”

In this video lesson Isaih Porter addresses the topic: Preparing the Clay: Wedging, which is part of the Domestika online course: Wheel Throwing for Beginners: Master Techniques to Craft Functional Pottery. Learn wheel throwing fundamentals to create pottery like mugs, bowls, and jars with essential techniques and tips.

Partial transcription of the video

“ Okay, in this lesson, we're gonna be talking about preparing our clay. What that's going to look like is I'm going to open the clay up. cut it into sections, weigh it out, and then wedge each section once it's weighed out. For most of the projects in this lesson, we're looking at between a pound and a pound and a half of clay. For each ball of clay. You see, I already opened up my clay, but I had it wrapped up in plastic so that it wouldn't dry out. Even if I'm not touching the clay for five minutes or so. I'm going to cover it up just so that it doesn't get exposed to the elements. and i...”

This transcript is automatically generated, so it may contain mistakes.

Course summary for: Wheel Throwing for Beginners: Master Techniques to Craft Functional Pottery

Level: Beginner
79 students
7 units
22 lessons (4h 44m)
13 downloads

Isaih Porter

A course by Isaih Porter

Teacher Plus

Pottery instructor and wheel-throwing guide

Isaih Porter is an accomplished ceramic artist with a unique journey into the world of pottery, blending art and technology. His passion for pottery began in high school, where he honed his skills on a refurbished kiln. This early fascination evolved into a dual major in computer science and art during college, where he creatively explored the intersection of these fields. His senior thesis involved designing a pottery wheel that responded to seismic data, showcasing his innovative approach. After a career in game development in the Bay Area was cut short by the Covid pandemic, Isaih turned to pottery as a full-time pursuit, sharing his craft through viral videos on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

Isaih's work has garnered attention and collaborations, including a notable partnership with Bombay Sapphire Gin. His teaching experience spans online workshops and in-person classes, where he passionately advocates for the therapeutic and creative benefits of working with clay. His dedication to the craft led to the establishment of his small business, providing custom pottery for local restaurants, yoga studios, and galleries. Isaih's journey reflects a deep commitment to both his art and the ceramic community, making him a respected figure in contemporary pottery.