The beginner's guide to wheel throwing : a complete course for the potter's wheel / Julia Claire Weber.

Includes index.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Getting centered in the studio. Clay -- Tools and materials --Studio safety -- Wedging clay -- How to make a pot -- Taking the pot off the wheel -- Gallery -- Throwing the basic forms. Traditional bowl -- Traditional mug -- Using a bat -- Lunch plate -- Noodle bowl -- Stacking mug -- Pasta plate -- Gallery -- Understanding clay and trimming. The stages of clay -- Drying pots -- Trimming --Handles -- Attaching handles -- Gallery -- Surface decoration. Mixing a slip -- Slip painting -- Slip dipping for carving -- Underglaze : using stencils -- Underglaze : transfers -- Sgraffito -- Mishima -- Gallery -- Glazing and firing. Loading and firing a bisque kiln -- Understanding glaze -- Loading and firing a glaze kiln -- Prepping a piece for glaze -- Dipping a pot in glaze -- Pouring and dipping to glaze a pot with two colors -- Overglaze : decals -- Designing a decal -- Applying and firing decals -- Gallery.

If you're trying pottery for the first time, it's only natural to want to jump right in and sit down at the wheel. Weber shares tips and trips to help you master each process for wheel throwing, from first forms to unleashing your creativity with a variety of finishing techniques. Gallery work from top artists provides inspiration and a variety of viewpoints. -- adapted from back cover.