Advanced Pottery Techniques

Summary: Scholars believe that the first pottery was made my hand and fired in bonfires which could reach temperatures of 900 degrees Celsius. Later, holes were dug in the ground to act as the first kilns. These early kilns utilized the earth around the hole as insulation to provide for better control of the firing process. Glazes and the potter's wheel were invented later, but essentially, the art of making pottery hasn't changed dramatically over the centuries, and the potter's best tools have been, and still are, his hands.

In this free video series, our expert David D. Gibson will talk about advanced pottery techniques. He will talk about wedging, centering the clay, making a platter, flattening the clay, compressing the clay, the pulling and pull up techniques, and forming and defining clay. He will also talk about making a spiral, using tools, shrinking the clay, timing, slip, and finishing a piece of pottery. He will even talk a bit about kilns and glazes.