Sculpting vs. Throwing: What’s the Difference in Pottery?
Whether you're completely new to clay or searching for your next creative outlet, understanding the difference between sculpting and throwing in pottery can help you choose the right path—or inspire you to try both! These foundational techniques shape the way ceramics are created, and both offer a unique journey into craftsmanship, mindfulness, and artistry.
At ARTime Barro, we specialize in helping beginners and experienced potters explore these techniques through our pottery classes in Orange County and Los Angeles. Here’s what sets sculpting and throwing apart—and how you can get your hands into clay.
What is Sculpting in Pottery?
Sculpting, also known as hand-building, involves creating forms without the use of a pottery wheel. This method allows for greater flexibility and personal expression, making it ideal for crafting unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.
Common Hand-Building Techniques:
Pinch Pots: Begin by rolling a small ball of clay. Insert your thumb into the center to create an opening, then gently pinch the sides between your thumb and fingers to thin and shape the walls. This technique is perfect for creating simple bowls and is excellent for pottery beginners.
Coiling: Roll out long, snake-like coils of clay. Layer these coils on top of each other, joining them together by blending the edges. This method is ideal for building taller structures like vases.
Slab Building: Flatten clay into uniform slabs using a rolling pin or slab roller. Cut the slabs into desired shapes and assemble them by scoring and slipping the edges before pressing them together. This technique is commonly used for constructing boxes or angular forms.
Tips for Successful Sculpting:
Plan Your Design: Before starting, sketch your idea from multiple angles. This will help you visualize the final piece and guide your construction process.
Manage Clay Moisture: Ensure your clay has the right consistency. Clay that's too dry can crack, while overly wet clay may collapse. Test by rolling a small coil; if it bends without cracking, it's ready to use.
Build Hollow Forms Carefully: When creating larger pieces, consider building hollow forms to prevent cracking during drying and firing. Techniques like coiling are particularly useful for this.
Avoid Delicate Protrusions: Thin, extended parts are prone to breaking. Design your piece with sturdy forms or reinforce delicate areas appropriately.
Seek Guidance and Practice: Joining a local pottery class can provide hands-on experience and expert feedback, accelerating your learning process.
At ARTime Barro, our pottery classes in Orange County and Los Angeles offer comprehensive instruction in hand-building techniques. Whether you're a beginner exploring clay for the first time or an experienced artist refining your skills, our classes provide a supportive environment to unleash your creativity.
What is Throwing in Pottery?
Throwing is the process of shaping clay on a spinning potter's wheel, allowing artists to create symmetrical forms such as mugs, bowls, and plates. This technique combines the centrifugal force of the wheel with the potter's hand movements to mold the clay into desired shapes.
Steps in the Wheel-Throwing Process:
Preparing the Clay: Begin by kneading the clay to ensure an even moisture content and to remove any air bubbles, a process known as wedging.
Centering: Place the wedged clay onto the center of the wheel head. As the wheel spins, use your hands to press and align the clay, ensuring it spins smoothly without wobbling.
Opening: Once centered, use your thumbs to press down into the middle of the clay to create an opening, forming the base of your vessel.
Pulling Up the Walls: With the wheel spinning, position your hands on the inside and outside of the clay to gently pull the walls upward, thinning and shaping them to your desired form.
Shaping and Trimming: Continue to refine the shape using your hands and specialized tools. Once the piece reaches the leather-hard stage, it can be trimmed to enhance its form and remove excess clay.
Drying and Firing: Allow the piece to dry completely before bisque firing it in a kiln. After the initial firing, glazes can be applied, followed by a final firing to complete the piece.
Tools Commonly Used in Wheel Throwing:
Potter's Wheel: The primary equipment that spins the clay.
Wire Cutter: Used to cut clay from large blocks and to remove finished pieces from the wheel.
Ribs: Flat tools made of wood, metal, or plastic, used to shape and smooth the clay surfaces.
Needle Tool: A sharp instrument for piercing, incising, and fine detailing.
Sponges: Help keep the clay moist and can be used to smooth surfaces.
Trimming Tools: Used during the trimming stage to refine the shape and remove excess clay.
At ARTime Barro, our pottery classes in Orange County and Los Angeles provide hands-on instruction in wheel throwing. Whether you're a beginner interested in learning the basics or an experienced potter looking to refine your skills, our classes offer a comprehensive experience in a supportive environment.
Which Pottery Technique Should You Start With?
That depends on your vibe:
Try Sculpting If You...
Love working at your own pace
Want to sculpt freely without symmetry
Crave a therapeutic, meditative activity
Are building decorative or organic pieces
Try Throwing If You...
Enjoy movement and rhythm
Prefer precision and structure
Like quick feedback and hands-on engagement
Want to make usable ceramics like mugs/bowls
Can’t decide? No problem. Many of our intro pottery classes let you try both techniques!
Find a Pottery Class Near You
ARTime Barro offers inclusive, welcoming ceramics classes near you at all three of our Southern California studios:
Santa Monica – Ideal for mindful beginners and wellness enthusiasts.
Laguna Beach – A relaxed, coastal setting for hand-building.
Costa Mesa – High-energy classes with a strong community vibe.
View all our current workshops and classes here.
Whether you’re molding a freeform sculpture or spinning a symmetrical vessel, both sculpting and throwing offer powerful pathways to creativity. With the right guidance and a bit of practice, you’ll find joy, flow, and maybe even a new hobby (or business!) through clay.
Come get messy with us—pottery classes in LA and OC are just a click away.
Sources: The Crucible, Artists and Illustrators, Wikipedia
