The Beginner's Guide to Wheel Throwing: A Complete Course for the Potter's Wheel (Volume 1)

by Julia Claire Weber

Ready, set, throw! If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at the pottery wheel, or if you have ever taken a class and walked away wishing you knew more, you’ve come to the right place.

Welcome to the wheel, from artist and instructor Julia Claire Weber. In The Beginner’s Guide to Wheel Throwing, you’ll find all you need to develop the skills (and patience) you need to make your first forms. You’ll start at the beginning of the process with a tour through a typical ceramics studio, a discussion of the best clays for throwing, as well as a variety of centering methods. Then unleash your creativity with the chapters that follow. You’ll

Starter projects like cups, bowls, and plates to hone your skills. Tutorials on important topics like trimming and handles. A unique decal workshop, unlocking the potential of image transfer. Throughout the book, skill-building is front and center, with tips and tricks to help you crack the code and make pieces you’re proud of. Gallery work from some of today's top artists are sure to inspire potters of all levels. What will you make first?

For beginners and those returning to ceramics, the Essential Ceramics Skills series from Quarry Books offer the fundamentals along with fresh, contemporary, and simple projects that build skills progressively.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Crafts

144 pages, Hardcover

First published September 7, 2021

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m super new to pottery and wheel throwing, and this book was a great way to learn a little more beyond what was covered in my first class. I was also able to find lots of modern artists that have collaborated with her to get my brain thinking of ways to use each of the tools.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives more than a cursory introduction to throwing on the wheel. I liked it because of the numerous photos and direct explanations. Throwing (making clay vessels on a potter's wheel) is a skill that takes years to master; much of the nuance involved in manipulating the clay is best learned by experience. This book is a great guide for someone who has taken a class or two, and wants to know about the basics of creating clay pieces on the wheel. Julia Weber's love for this craft is palpable while she speaks to individuals new to throwing and those who want to learn more. A good book to have as a reference.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful book with many gorgeous photos for reference. I especially found the 'Surface Decoration' and 'Glazing and Firing' chapters very helpful. There is a collection of gallery pictures at the end of multiple chapters that showcases pottery from various artists so that you can see the range the techniques/be inspired. I think this is wonderful for new potters.

[Witch-at-Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book mostly focusing on tools and techniques but it’s a great place to start for anyone interested in pottery.

I found the information both fascinating and informative I recommend this book if you work with pottery to are interested in trying it.

[Melissa Robblee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good first overview of many pottery techniques. It would be good for the complete beginner. It has some nice gallery pictures for inspiration.

[Beth Livingston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for an eARC. This was a very insightful book. If you ever thought about learning how to do pottery by wheel throwing this book is for you. I give this a 4 out of 5 stars.

[Mary Foxe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skimmed.

[Paula Hein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information and inspirational photography

[J Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

The photos are beautiful, the detail about glazes and post-wheel decoration are very good, but the parts about actually throwing on the wheel are quite superficial

[Eleanor Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked the step by step with pictures. Pictures and explanations were clear.

[Tom Newboult · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful for reminding me of things I have forgotten and getting new ideas.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of helpful tips and pictures. This was a good companion for the pottery classes I took.