Building more complex forms from simple pinch pots (with minimal tools)

A tutorial for handbuilding more advanced ceramic forms from simple pinch pots. Kick your pottery up a notch.
This is a workshop I originally filmed for The Ceramic School’s online Ceramics Congress earlier this year.
You can see the finished piece on my Instagram here:
www.instagram....
Most of the tools I use can either be purchased at your local ceramic supply shop, or an many online shops like Clay-King, Big Ceramic Store, or Dick Blick.
And you can find out more about me and my work on my website at www.loriellenphillips.com

[@mosayits]

Absolutely the best video I’ve seen in a while.

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thanks so much!

[@loisbutcher5135]

Thanks for showing how you take your time. As a novice I can get stressed when the clay doesn’t seem to cooperate. You show how to model clay lovingly.❤

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed! And the frustration never really goes away. 🤣 But you do learn to let go a bit and let the clay do its bidding.

[@cinty262]

My daughter loved it, found you honest and soothing to listen to and inspiring

[@Lyddiebits]

I never think to look for my favorite potters on KZbin!!! 🙈

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Yaay! Glad ya found me, and flattered to be considered a favorite! ☺️☺️☺️

[@jamessantiagovsky1882]

nice, very helpful video.

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thank you!

[@chrisjohnson-nq7sx]

This is a fantastic video. It demonstrated so many techniques. Your talk about refinement shows your professionalism. Beautiful piece! I'm excited about my ceramics class tomorrow!! TY!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thanks so much! I hope your class goes awesomely! 😁

[@terrylust454]

Incredible!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to go all the way from beginning to end! It’s beautiful, and you must keep recording! I’m a hand builder too, and you’ve truly inspired me! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@melissagraham4569]

Thank you so much for this. A really enjoyable video and very inspiring. Thank you for sharing!

[@rachellea333]

Feathery, floofy, bloopy bits! I love your teaching style. :)

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Rachel Lea Ha!! Only the most technical terms allowed in my house. 🤣 Thanks!!

[@annaharris2870]

Me too.

[@kimwallace1170]

This is amazing! I really want to try adding some more texture to my vases and this has really inspired me

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thanks! That’s great!

[@artsail]

This was such a useful video with wonderful tips I can’t wait to try. Thanks for sharing Lori!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Yay! So glad to hear! 🤗

[@shannalane8349]

Love your esthetic! Fabulous!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Shanna Lane Thanks so much, Shanna!

[@katryanaorange2092]

More videos, please!!! Love watching your ideas. Skilled hands🤗

[@leonalii1533]

This was absolutely useful! You have the talent!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thank you!!

[@bumblebeedancer6430]

This is so incredibly amazing! I learned SO, SO much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm off to order a couple new tools!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

I’m so glad to hear that, thank you!!

[@madamdiva]

This is amazing. Thanks so much fr sharing your process. I can’t wait to try some of these techniques!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Yay, thanks!! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@Lorenmcdee]

These are so amazing and I really hope you make more content for youtube. Seriously, this is wonderful. I was raised doing wheel thrown ceramics and I'm just more inspired than I've ever been

[@carrolmoxham2602]

Thank you so much! I learn a lot watching your videos!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

So glad to hear it! ☺️

[@vertigocomplex]

You and your work are a treasure! I am just starting out hand building in the home studio so it has been really nice to see you work and take note of the various tools and techniques you use! Thanks for posting videos here, looking forward to the next one!

[@marciabarnhart2204]

You are absolutely delightful and your pieces are stunningly marvelous! Thank you so much!

[@MeldaRavaniel]

I took a class with a local artist who does almost exclusively pinch pot forms and I'm so happy to have found your channel afterwards. Most handbuilding on KZbin is the basic cup or slab stuff. I've learned so many new things to try from just this video than all the other ones out there. No pressure, cuz I know doing KZbin videos takes a bunch of time, but if you make more, I'm here for them! :)

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Love hearing that! I’m finally working a new new one right now, although it’s not a tutorial video. But I do want to make videos regularly going forward. 🙂

[@TripleRoux]

Oh Goddess, that was/is a brilliant video! I love your narration style and the organic textures and the way you welcomed that little bug and just everything! I really hope you'll be making more of these long and helpful videos! Learned a lot and laughed a lot, perfect! 💖

[@gailwright1849]

Fabulous .love bugs too. I taught art 17 years but am jealous of your quirky relaxed style. I've made many joined pinchpots but you have opened my eyes to many new creative possibilities. Perfect music fit

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed! It’s taken me a good couple of decades to appear ‘relaxed’ 🤣🤣🤣

[@thehappypotter9612]

What a BEAUTIFUL pot!

[@kdwalters4146]

I just came across this video on YT. So very happy I did. A-LOVE the background music! B-Love your calm approach C-Love your occasional voice over and LOVE the content! Thank you for all the efforts in making this great content.

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thank you so much! Hope to be making more soon. ☺️

[@katharinelloyd5293]

Actually, I was about to make a comment that the background music was driving me nuts! But I couldn’t stop watching this wonderful video. I’ve been making pinch pots for ages, at home, but I’m sort of stuck about how to move on from there. This gives me so many ideas about combinations and textures. It’s wonderful! Thanks!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Ha!! Well I’m glad you liked it anyways! 😆

[@jennystirrup6377]

thankyou for a great video I am going to try making one , and look forward to seeing more of your tutorials

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thanks, Jenny! Thankfully I will have the means to start making new videos by the end of October. 🙂

[@jamilynncreates3622]

I like your narration style, and you are good at explain tools, their uses and techniques. Please make more videos.

[@polytanner1836]

Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@Baylajo]

Thanks for such an imformative video; so many valuable tips and tricks.

[@loriphillipsceramics]

You are so welcome! Happy it was helpful! ☺️

[@PeterChinman]

great tutorial! & beautiful piece. I learned a lot. thank you.

[@deborahmurdock2614]

You did an excellent job of explaining ! You even explained all the minor (really important) details.

[@ingeworst1343]

Love it, learned a lot.

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Inge Worst That’s great! Thanks so much! ☺️

[@wendywendy3718]

So delighted. I follow you on Pinterest and Instagram and tried to wrap my brain around how some textures and layers were created . What a great video. Love your work and love that you had my brain searching for the how.

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thanks Wendy! 😁🥰

[@rosemaried6272]

Sehr schöne Optik hat dieses Vasen-Objekt! 😍👍

[@queenbsartroom84]

Would love some more videos. I am showing this video to my Year 12 Vis Art class this week. They have finished their formal assessment (they graduate in November) and are studying for a big exam in November. In the meantime I have let them choose one last 'big' piece to make before graduation. They all chose ceramics. We are practicing basics at the moment and I am hoping they might try some more complex forms for their final piece. Your video is perfect for them. thanks.

[@loriphillipsceramics]

That’s awesome! I hope they enjoy it! I have ideas for more videos, and life keeps getting in my way, but I’m trying. 😖😝

[@arinavandam9359]

Thank you so much for sharing your tricks on how to get stunning results.!! As a beginner I see that the most artist don't wanna share how to do it... Love and kisses from the Netherlands

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@arinavandam9359]

@@loriphillipsceramics as a beginner is IT very hard to understand how to do it I understand that the most artist dont want to share how they do it but somerhimes its so frustrating that no one want to tell how you can make something!!. Thank you so much!! Love and kisses from the Netherlands

[@Noa_Darling]

yes for awesome handmade tools!

[@debsamuels5367]

This is fantastic! Thanks so much for all the work you did making this video for us.

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Deb Samuels No problem! So glad you loved it, thank you!!

[@Legotreee121]

I really enjoyed watching your process for this beautiful piece! i hope to see you make more lovely videos like this

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thank you so much! I definitely want to make more! It might be very sporadic with how often I upload new ones, haha, but I have a lot of ideas. ☺️

[@rondacorkhill1654]

I loved watching this. Your pieces are incredible!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed!

[@thatoldbiddy2]

Great instruction. So wish you would do more... You are excellent.

[@birgittefogsgaardthomsen9429]

Thanks for sharing. I am new to ceramic, and it’s very valuable to see really Cool videos. Thanks

[@JennyDurling]

This is a great video and a lovely piece. I was hoping you had posted more!!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thank you!! I do intend to make more! 😁

[@carolynbruce3171]

Thanks so much for your great tutorial. It was enjoyable and well executed. I do follow you on instagram. Love your creativity. You are so talented.

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thank you!! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@thehappypotter9612]

Thanx for sharing a load of info and ideas!!!

[@tksmith3698]

Lori, thank you so much for posting this. It was a great tutorial and your piece is lovely.

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thank you!!

[@itsRichardK]

well.. crikey.. my jaw has dropped.. fantastic video.. totally enjoyable and inspirational.. liked.. a lot :)👍 ps. @8:35 "nom nom nom nom nom" lol

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thankya! Glad you enjoyed! 😁

[@Midnight-rj4ed]

Thanks for the skills. I am retired and just beginning !

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Glad it was helpful! ☺️

[@shelleydoxtdator753]

Very interesting! Love it

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

[@teragram50]

Gorgeous piece. Love your creativity and humor!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thanks so much! ☺️

[@clairebenoit7439]

This is such a good video. Thank you for sharing all these great tips! I love your work!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thanks so much! So glad it was helpful! ☺️

[@katherinegraham4163]

I found that incredibly clear and helpful - and funny. Thank you

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

I love the decorations😊

[@nurdan17]

This is incredible!!

[@lili-dz4oo]

🙏🌞🍾Un grand merci pour ce partage. Vous savez allier pédagogie, technique et sens artistique, c'est superbe!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Merci!!! ☺️

[@absurdartist6346]

Please make more of these videos!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

It might take a while before I can do a new one, but I’m planing to!! I have a shorter, older one I did for Clay King’s instagram page last year that I will upload soon in the meantime. So glad you enjoyed this one! ☺️

[@belindaroadley]

Glad I stumbled on your video! I'm wanting to get into ceramics, and the way you explained all the little methodologies (seams, thinning, shaping, etc) was ridiculously helpful. I like your more casual approach to narration too. Some potters sound like they have one of your little "doll eyeball" tools stuck up their butts when they make tutorials. 😂 I hope you're able to create more of these awesome vids soon!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Yay! Thank you so much!! There will be more eventually. 😅

[@belindaroadley]

@Lori Phillips Ceramics No pressure 😅 I've had folk tell me I need to create tutorial vids for stuff I do (illustration and oil-based sculpture) but I can't think of anything I'd like less 😆 I'll just subscribe and hope 😁 Your sculpt itself is awesome too btw. I love love love nature, so seeing your botanical influences is super cool. I wanna do flora and fauna inspired pieces too (more representational, not quite as abstract). You're inspirational 🫡

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Haha! Thankfully I love doing it. It’s just very time consuming to do.

[@tamara4luna]

So amazing!!

[@cindymichaud7286]

Fascinating, learned a lot. Thanks!

[@jordaneleisonceramics2420]

I love that you pet your pieces as you're working on them, I do the exact same thing! Lol

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Haha! They need encouragement sometimes. 😄

[@jordaneleisonceramics2420]

@@loriphillipsceramics So true 🤣

[@jokekiewiet]

Very inspiring and informant, thank you!!

[@artoflife109]

So informative! I wish there were more videos on Your channel. Anything will be great xD maybe showing your glazing proces for example? :)

[@KellyAnn1997]

Great video!!! Love the music too! What clay do you use?

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Kelly Eefsting Thanks! I use a Laguna clay called BMix 5. 🙂

[@claudineb.7674]

Thank you so much for sharing!! I've learned a lot and it's so inspiring (can't wait to go to my class tomorrow morning 😂) I'm looking forward your next tutorials :)

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thank you! So glad you got something out of it. 😁

[@monicaapril1006]

Ohhh I just found your channel. I’m curious how it turned out? Will you post an update soon?

[@jamilynncreates3622]

Omg you are just so adorable and funny!

[@andryeanatkin1440]

Wow. This video is impressive. And it’s only your second one?? The camera work is so good. I could see everything you were doing easily. I’m really impressed. Thank you! I’m curious to know... - how long it took you to shoot it all? - how did you manage keeping your clay as soft as you like. - what kind of equipment you used. iPhone? Tripod? Light? - what kind of clay do you work with? I’ll keep watching!!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thanks so much! I think my long-time photography love helps when doing video for sure! It’s all on iPhone (and shot on a tripod) for now and edited in iMovie until I can upgrade. I shot as I worked for about three days (just shooting the parts I knew I’d need), and spent a couple days editing and writing/recording the voiceover. Only light is from the window in front of the table I worked on, which I always find to be much better than regular lights or studio lights. I keep my clay soft by keeping every part I’m not working on covered in plastic, and the parts I am working on get sprayed with my spray bottle as I work. I use Laguna’s B Mix 5. 🙂 Might be a while before I can get another posted, but I have a lot of ideas! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@amitbiswas3437]

Loved the video. Thank you. May I know which type of clay you are using?

[@LoryCartagena]

The music kills me. Lol. Great job. Thank you

[@jabeenirfan8218]

So amazing

[@abalonegoddess]

Another gorgeous tutorial! I'm missing playing with clay... my school is currently closed. I'm taking this extra time to build a serious outdoor clay space so when school starts again I can really make the pieces I imagine... my last leanto collapsed in the rain so I built a really sturdy structure so rain or shine I'm protected. Thanks for making your videos. Hope you make one on the big clay tool that you made. I would be interested for sure. Btw, Santa Barbara has an Adult Education ceramics department at the Schott center. They're looking to hire someone. Not sure what degree is required but who knows maybe you would be interested? Looking forward to more videos! Thanks again!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Thanks so much! So glad you’re using all this quarantine time to your advantage and making the best of it! You’ll be so glad to have a place right at home to make whenever you want/can. ☺️ And thanks for the info on the job opportunity! I have my MFA, so I’d likely be qualified, but my favorite thing to do is be able to work at home where I can be a total recluse. 🤣🤣🤣 Off and on I feel like teaching at a place like that would be great though, and I do enjoy teaching and feel like I’m good at it, so someday who knows!

[@avenidacalle6160]

🔥 💪

[@nexussever]

This is exactly what I needed to learn. How long did you wait between joining the pieces and laying it down on its side?

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Yay! Glad to help! If it’s joined well enough, and stuff enough, you can carefully lay it down right away. But I usually wrap it up well for a day or two so the moisture of the piece and the seams can even put/homogenize. 🙂

[@aliciarnavarro]

Just curious, why you prefer to use your scoring tool in water for creating slip vs using slip? Thank you for this video! I love it :)

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Alicia van de Bor I just hate making slip, hahaha. 🤣 Always preferred making it on the piece as I went. Plus I figure if I’m scoring well enough to make a nice layer of slip as I go, I am probably scoring adequately enough.

[@aliciarnavarro]

@@loriphillipsceramics next time I'm working with clay I'm going to try the scoring tool technique. Thanks for sharing and hopefully you post more videos soon!

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Alicia van de Bor Hope it works for ya!

[@xenadelatour5194]

Thank you for sharing! I have a bunch of om4 ball clay, do you think it would work for this?

[@loriphillipsceramics]

Glad you enjoyed! Sorry for the delayed response, I was out of town for the weekend. OM4 and other ball clays are usually mixed with other clays and raw materials to add plasticity to a clay body, or sometimes added to glazes. I’m not sure how it does by itself from personal experience, but this is from Clay and Glazes for the Potter by Daniel Rhodes: “ Ball clays are impossible to use by themselves in pottery making because of their excessive shrinking, which may be as high as 20% when fired to maturity. They are usually used as an admixture to other clays to gain increased plasticity and workability.”