Wheel Throwing for Beginners: Master Techniques to Craft Functional Pottery

Opening the Clay and Creating the Floor

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

112 students

Audio: English, Spanish

· · · · · · ·

About the video: Opening the Clay and Creating the Floor

Overview

“After getting the clay spinning symmetrically in the center of the wheel I'll next dig into the clay to open up the floor of the pot. Doing so in a steady, controlled manner will help keep the piece centered throughout the rest of the throwing process. ”

In this video lesson Isaih Porter addresses the topic: Opening the Clay and Creating the Floor, 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, so now that we have our clay centered, it's time to open up the clay and start creating our floor. The floor is the base of the pot on the inside. In this lesson, we're going over how to make a perfect cylinder. In a perfect cylinder, the floor is nice and flat. and comes into the wall at a 90 degree angle. Before we make our floor, We have to open up the class. The way I like to open is with my right middle finger next to my left thumb. And they're going to be pushing down right in the center of the wheel. as I push down and my finger gets deeper, I'm gonna hold that angle so that ...”

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
112 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.