BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO HANDBUILDING: Learn how to create slab pots, mugs, pinch pots, coiled pots and other amazing ceramic art work like a pro

By Anna Spillman

Clay is a material rich in history and possibilities for art making, and handbuilding pottery is the oldest use of the medium. This comprehensive beginner’s guide offers a unique place to learn the different handbuilding pottery techniques of pinching, coiling, and slab rolling. Once you have experience with a few basic techniques, you can make your own functional tableware, vessels, sculpture, installations, and mixed media—the possibilities in ceramics are endless.

What is handbuilding?

Handbuilding is a ceramics technique that allows you to create forms with clay and your hands, without using a throwing wheel. Before ceramicists invented the wheel, handbuilding was the only way they could create functional and artistic ceramic forms. The oldest known ceramic artifact was handbuilt and is dated as early as 28,000 BCE. All you need to get started are your clay, your hands, and a few simple tools.

Handbuilding is an ancient pottery-making technique that involves creating forms without a pottery wheel, using the hands, fingers, and simple tools. The most common handbuilding techniques are pinch pottery, coil building, and slab building.

In this book , I will be teaching you in details everything you need to be an expert in ceramics pottery. The tools, skills, techniques, tips and tricks to create very beautiful ceramic art works ranging from pinching pots, slab pots, coiled pots and mugs.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: BookRix
• Release date: Feb 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9783755433682

Book preview

Title Page

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO HANDBUILDING

Learn how to create slab pots, mugs, pinch pots, coiled pots and other amazing ceramic art work like a pro

Anna Spillman

Table of contents

CHAPTER ONE: Handbuilding Pottery Guide

Clay is a material rich in history and artistic potential, and handbuilding pottery is the medium's first use. The Ceramics Department at The Crucible is a one-of-a-kind location for learning the various handbuilding pottery skills of pinching, coiling, and slab rolling. Once you've mastered a few fundamental methods, you may create useful dinnerware, containers, sculpture, installations, and mixed media pieces—the possibilities with ceramics are limitless.

How is handbuilding defined?

Handbuilding is a ceramics method that utilizes clay and your hands to make shapes without the need of a throwing wheel. Prior to the invention of the wheel, ceramicists could only make utilitarian and aesthetic ceramic shapes by handbuilding. The earliest known ceramic item was made by hand and dates all the way back to 28,000 BCE. To get started, all you need is clay, your hands, and a few basic tools.

Methods and techniques for handbuilding

While handbuilding is as basic as making an item out of clay with your hands, it involves three distinct techniques and forming procedures. Once you've mastered pinching, coiling, and slab construction, you can create almost anything out of clay.

Pinching Pots

Pinch pots are an excellent initial handbuilding technique to master while working with clay for the first time. Simply take a single ball of clay and form it into a little pot by pushing your thumb into the middle of the ball. With one hand, hold and spin the ball while pressing the walls out with your thumb. Pinch pots are an easy way to begin working with clay and familiarize yourself with the material.

Coiled Pots

Coiled pots are formed by rolling out long, separate coils of clay and connecting them to form a bigger piece. Coiled pots come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Additionally, you may combine the pinch pot and coil pot