How to Centre Clay and Throw Pots on the Pottery Wheel

This video goes over the basics of how to centre clay, throw a pot on the wheel and thereafter how to remove it neatly, alongside many other tips and tricks that might help you learn how to throw. These tips reflect my way of making and there are, in fact, numerous subtlety different ways of doing each step, so definitely search for others videos to find another perspective on how to do things. I hope you find this video useful and thanks for watching!
If you'd like to watch the other parts of this series you can find them here:
• How to wedge clay video: • How to Spiral Wedge Clay
• How to center clay: • How to Center Clay - A...
• How to pull up the walls of clay: • How to Pull Up The Wal...
• How to open up and form the base: • How to Open Up Centred...
• How to lift pots off the wheel: • How to Lift Pots Off t...
• How to throw a bowl: • How to Throw a Pottery...
• Trimming tips and tricks: • How to Trim Pots - Tip...
📖 • PRE-ORDER MY BOOK: ow.ly/9wYn50MQXV5
Timecodes:
0:00 - Introduction
0:41 - Importance of wedging clay and a recommended weight to begin throwing with
1:20 - How to centre the clay
4:20 - How to cone the clay up and down
6:45 - Removing the gritty surface
7:34 - Opening up the lump of clay
10:34 - Pulling up the walls of the pot
15:22 - Using a sponge to throw
16:25 - Cleaning up the pot to be lifted away
18:38 - Discussing the rim of a pot
20:02 - Cutting off an uneven rim
21:15 - How to remove the pot from the wheel
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Instagram - / floriangadsby
TikTok - / floriangadsby
Website - www.floriangadsby.com

[@ThatCapnGeech]

The thing about _good_ teachers, is they make you want to learn more and work harder, you fit squarely in that category.

[@qayfa]

I agreed

[@jojoscheuerman]

This is by far the most well done and insightful beginner’s video I’ve seen. Your voice is soothing to listen to, and your energy is incredibly helpful and encouraging. Thank you for putting your soul into your work. 🙏🏼✨

[@anne-gretheoverholdt2194]

just the way I feel too

[@bettinadanielsen6348]

Agree!

[@katewainwright3386]

Ditto

[@hilostateofmind]

FINALLY SOMEONE WHO GIVES US THE GOLDEN NUGGETS OF REALLY VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE! I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW HAPPY & GRATEFUL TO HAVE FOUND THIS CHANEL! I live in Hilo Hawai'i and for some mind boggling reason, we have no ceramics education to speak of here. I have taken some basic classes and then got really good at coil pots but I finally found a throwing wheel and set up a nice little space to work but I really need this detailed guidance just like this to really improve my technique... Especially since I'm extremely rusty now. Thank you so so so so so so so MUCH!!!!

[@sarahisabella1745]

In Four years this has probably been the most helpful explanation I have ever seen or heared.

[@floriangadsby]

That really means a lot, thanks so much for taking the time to watch!

[@Baloobear5501]

I will second that! Most detailed one i have seen so far, and really well explained

[@estherdeden8922]

The explanation for centering really helped! First time I felt so helpless that I couldn’t get it centered. The second time around (after watching your video) I managed to center and finish my first three cilinders 🎉

[@estherdeden8922]

To add: My last cilinder I even managed to center and throw within 15 min 💪 Another tip my teacher gave me, which really helped: Was to use the wooden scraper tool to check and perfect the centering.

[@pinkprettiezyarns3774]

Thank you so much for this in-depth video. I am about to throw for the very first time and your tips give me the confidence to sit down and have a go.

[@fwong]

This video rules because he takes the time to explain WHY you're doing things and to show you what it looks like when it's wrong

[@Christine627]

The best throwing video I’ve seen in 15 years. Thanks!

[@floriangadsby]

That’s a big compliment, thank you!

[@taramorrow8637]

Such a great beginner’s video. I think I took two years of in-person classes before hearing everything you covered in one video.

[@charlieryan5364]

I don't know why but watching pottery throwing is so satisfying

[@JetcannonM]

you're spoiling us, this is deep knowledge, this is time

[@tracymazza5431]

The absolute best video I’ve seen for a beginner potter.

[@peptobismols]

I teach pottery to kids at work, and I always have trouble finding the right words to explain it. Your directions have given me a better grasp on how to explain things effectively!!

[@NatyaKurapati]

I can never get tired of these videos.

[@Lex_8D]

Sometimes I watch this video again to have a better focus on the wheel while centering. It is very helpful, thanks

[@RageDeRuin]

How is it that you explained things better than any of my teachers ever did? I feel like I've got a whole new understanding, I'm sure next time I'll have a much better time throwing.

[@TYCOIX]

Hey, this might seems weird but I feel like some unknown force threw this at me out of nowhere, and now because your channel (and by extension, you) have reignited my want to learn pottery again. I used to wanna do pottery but depression got the best of me, and because I'm not in a place to be able to do it. But your videos are very accessible that the fact that I can't do it right now doesn't deter me but rather makes me want to pick it up as soon as I can. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope life treats you well.

[@amandathomas9774]

I love that you showed the same step of the process at multiple angles, that you spoke at a reasonable pace, and didn't go off on tangents. Definitely the best video I've seen so far. Now I know exactly what I was doing wrong and am ready to (confidently) give it another shot and not beat myself up over the inevitable beginners mistakes. Thank you so much for sharing. PS: I also have freakishly bendy thumbs. Looks like they'll come in handy!

[@ingaashworth]

After just spending 5 hours practicing and only coming away with 2 pots, this couldn’t be more helpful for troubleshooting. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

[@GraemeLuey]

Fantastic video! This made everything very clear and easy to understand. Thank you.

[@marktaylor865]

Great video again Florian. Thank you.

[@thomaspollaris4329]

Amazing. As if I was dreaming while listening!

[@julipolito7761]

I’ve never seen a better, descriptive video. Thank you!!

[@chichinn]

welcome back, high priest of pottery, and thank you for blessing us again with your wisdom (:ｊｋ;)

[@floriangadsby]

I’ll go by that title.

[@rebeccatodd414]

Extremely soothing videos to watch. I learned a lot. Thanks.

[@larrysalopek9576]

This is my first comment on KZbin. I just wanted to sincerely thank you for the time you invest in your channel helping aspiring potters to learn the craft. Thank you, Florian!

[@floriangadsby]

What an honour! Thank you so much Larry, welcome aboard and thanks for taking the time to watch.

[@BrianMottershead]

Without a doubt, this is the best explanation of centering and throwing on KZbin; I wish this had existed a year ago!

[@angelasmithers4628]

Thank you Florian. I have watched many many videos on centring and pulling up and never quite "got it". I was pretty much resigned to hand building. I watched your centring and throwing videos for the first time last weekend, and twice more since. Yesterday I threw three pots about 6 inches high! I'm so grateful!

[@doctorLijia]

Thank you so much! This explained it so much more simply and clearly than my teacher in class today. This makes me excited to throw!

[@karenlewis4678]

I'm new to the craft and watched loads of KZbin videos from dozens of potters. Florian is the absolute best!! His calm demeanor, detailed instruction and invaluable tips make all the difference. 👏🙏

[@floriangadsby]

Wow, thank you! Karen, that’s really kind of you. 🖤🖤

[@user-nk6hk9we4o]

You did a remarble job! Thank you! ❤

[@saralanham1458]

Impossible to contribute any new praise to what's already here, but the amount of effort that clearly went into these videos deserves acknowledgment. Gem. Thank you. My first sessions, I've just been working each ball of clay until it becomes some manner of disaster. So much more entertaining than lucking into a tidy little pot and quittin' while I'm ahead. Thanks for validating the messy process of learning how the materials behave.

[@kv1154]

This is extremely helpful, Florian. You have a wonderful way of explaining the process. I identified 3 problems and their solutions from your video. Thank you so much.

[@floriangadsby]

That’s great to hear. Sometimes it just takes seeing and hearing something in a certain way for that ‘thing’ to click in your mind and it make sense. I remember that happening ALL the time when I was learning and it does still happen today quite a lot. Thanks for taking the time to watch, it really does mean so much.

[@nagas9189]

@@floriangadsby You are a blessing to us New learners Florian. I'm so grateful for these videos.

[@normanhazel]

the

[@grahamjerome929]

I've added this video to our links page as it covers the art of throwing in a succinct and approachable way. My students will appreciate it. Well shot and engaging.

[@roseb5134]

Thank you so much for this video!! I’m taking pottery this semester and my professor has a very much “I showed you this once just keep doing it and figure it out” mentality and it very obviously isn’t working because me and everyone in my class have been working on centering for 2 month (I come in and try to do it for about 4 hours and still couldn’t get it) and this video helped tremendously!! Thank you!!!

[@jimmay4309]

This is the first video that clearly explains all the basic elements of centering and throwing that I have never truly learned. Now I feel that I will make better pots. Thank you.

[@mindytvich2805]

I took a wheel class a few weeks ago and was still struggling with several basic techniques. After trying your tips I'm able to center the clay faster and more easily now, and have much better success in pulling a cylinder. Thank you!!

[@minhnguyetkhorami2563]

i learned so much from this video. Very clear, very precise. Thank you so much. Minuit

[@loveandlight4875]

Florian , I wish you had a teaching studio. Oh my goodness that would be amazing. I love your channel is the best one.

[@joshualevine5779]

Outside of the clarity of your narration and your skill on the wheel, your demeaner and sensitivity are lovely.

[@karenmccallum8375]

I love how you say watch many videos on centering/throwing. I have watched dozens and dozens of videos and I can honestly say that yours is the clearest and most informative one I have seen. Your explanations are simply phenomenal because you not only show the process but explain why you're doing it. Thanks so much and please continue these. Your pottery is just gorgeous.

[@floriangadsby]

That really means so much. Thanks for taking the time to watch Karen, I hope the videos prove to be useful-good luck potting!

[@lesleymiller5577]

I’m just going to go on the wheel for the first time, great video thanks… 😃

[@stevethomas5181]

Just returning to throwing after 15years+. Great video. Reminded me of techniques and taught me some new ones. Thank you so much!

[@patriciamcgrath8538]

Incredibly informative. It's been 7 years since I worked with clay. Doing research before I start again. Thank you.

[@Meadowborn-yd1mr]

Absolutely the best beginner's video! So instructive, so well done. Incredibly grateful. Thank you.

[@karnkreft]

I really appreciate your voice over. It is clear and direct and gives the already excellent demonstrations that little bit extra which is hiding under your hands.

[@LudaNYC]

This is so incredibly helpful - so detailed and so clearly explained. Thank you so much Florian! 😊😊

[@NathanThomson]

Such an expertly made video and to top it off with that humility at the end to go watch someone else's video is amazing. Thank you

[@manasajagiri7496]

Very well explained including the different angles which you don't see in other videos. And your wonderful voice adds to the calmness of the video.

[@susithajayakodi]

Im sri lanken potter, you are teach everything clearly in your videos, Thank you verry much 👍 ❤

[@1005DG]

I'm so glad I found this intro to throwing. I just signed up for my first pottery class and no doubt this will help to ease me into things. I can't wait.

[@sarahimmelpottery61477]

Wow! Thank you! I've been throwing for about 2 years. Still fairly new though, and always open to learning.. LoL Very precise explanation! Your voice is soothing and easy to listen to. I try to help others in class when the teacher is not so helpful. But I will be sending them to your video to watch from now on!

[@phillipmeredith6101]

This is a great video. I'm brand new to all this and your video is one of the best I've seen. Thank you!

[@lisahutton3754]

You are so gifted as a Potter and as an instructor!!!!

[@ianhowlett4682]

I have bendy thumbs like this too! Nice to know they could come in useful one day! 😅

[@juliealdridge8484]

I’ve just begun throwing, I found your video extremely helpful. You explain everything clearly and concisely. You say what you are doing and why. It’s great that you show the same action from different angles. This helped me see I was actually using my hands the wrong way. I’ve watched quite a few tutorials and yours is by far the most helpful.

[@ClaytonCurry-il8yn]

Hmm, looks interesting. Maybe I should give it a try and unleash my inner pottery maestro. 😎🌟

[@mchonka33]

i took a beginner class recently, for some reason they put us on the wheel with no explanation. This video is incredible, going to studio today to practice thank you

[@mheuman]

Thank you for the thorough instruction. I appreciate the detailed instructions, I feel more confident that when I start throwing, I'll have a good idea of what I'm doing.

[@joannaalina27]

Florian, I was too shy to say Hi during the moon jar exhibition at the Han Gallery (you were there to support Lisa, and I was there to support Michel ^____^ ), but I wanted to pop in here and share, that I'll be starting my first teaching gig and your video is so helpful in refreshing how to ''talk'' about throwing. It's been YEARS since I've explained the process out loud, so now I'm studying up on how to phrase and describe these steps. THANK you for sharing with us!

[@mariemorand4644]

I’ve spent literally hours watching centering videos ! This one is by far one of my favourites ! Cristal clear ! Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙏🏻

[@eleanorbalsiger9963]

You are a great teacher. You explain and show detail very well. Also what not to do or what many people do wrong. Very informative and helpful. Thank you

[@gregh378]

I'm so glad you've gone into depth on these topics 😊

[@maimahmoud7370]

It’s the best pottery lesson I’ve ever seen !!!

[@tristanlegare9054]

Great video thanks so much for taking the time to make this content. Super valuable

[@catherinea8311]

Thank you so much for making this video. I tried centering and pulling a cylinder this past weekend for the first time and was ready to give up until I found your video. After your demonstration and advice, now I'm ready to try again. Particularly liked the hand and elbow placement advice, getting a 90 degree angle of wall to floor and the various angle shots in the video!

[@mainacht3509]

Excellent video for a beginner like me. Thank you.

[@lynnenewell6812]

The best video I have watched to centre and pull a pot - very helpful thank you

[@cheryl7623]

Wow! Thanks. That was the best description, demonstration! Lots of helpful tips.

[@ExtinctionML]

I just wanted to see satisfying pottery but this man made me really eager to do it myself.

[@margaretmunger1398]

Thank you for your careful explanation! I'm coming back to throwing after an 8 year break, and it's helping me to remember all the things I used to know.

[@kml7998]

Wow thank you! As a beginner I had a few fails yesterday and these tips are invaluable. thank you so much. Your time and care in making these is so appreciated.

[@lisapioli788]

I received my first pottery wheel today as a Christmas present. Without this video I would have been lost. It has been presented so well, so calm and with extreme skill. I have enjoyed seeing the common mistakes and how and what to do with them. Its made this experiences so simple. If only I had a teacher like this at school, I would have been a geniuses Thank you

[@jtmagro]

Florian, I have been watching your videos and today, for the first time, I went to a pottery class. I nailed it! I could remember seeing your hands centering and opening the clay. It helped so much! Thank you so much for making these available.

[@jaydeep-p]

Never touched clay, but now I want to.

[@Septic_Lemon547]

I bet its like playdough

[@xeth9074]

@@Septic_Lemon547 it’s way thicker/denser. Especially when you use stronger clays. I’d like to find a teacher to create some decent pottery/dishes on my first few tries.

[@bu9ra]

Same

[@matthaiosdoesart1453]

I tried throwing on the wheel today, trust me bro it's epic.

[@marilynjansenlopes8771]

I loved watching this video again I remember watching last year as i was preparing to learn how to throw pottery. Today when i finally wedged and put clay onto the wheel some of this was in my subconscious mind!! You are so thorough Thank you for sharing every aspect

[@danielspeight9589]

This is fantastic.. thank you, Florian. I threw my first pot when i was 11. My late father taught me. I hope to go back to the wheel.

[@MuzebyKendyl]

I have been teaching pottery for a few years now and watching your videos truly helps me to better explain pottery wheel techniques to my own students. When I first began teaching, I found it to be difficult to verbally explain all of the very subtle kinesthetic movements that take place when making pottery, but you really are so thorough with every part of it. Students will ask me to help them troubleshoot what is going wrong with their pieces often, and hearing how you explain each movement helps me to put words to my own actions. Keep up the great work! We all are learning from you!

[@uib301]

Florian's videos are the very best. Thorough, illuminating and the knowledge seems to lodge in my mind particularly well. Really really excellent. Thank you.

[@vandanadogra6458]

I have just started learning pottery. After many failiars I was watching many videos to learn how to lift up the pot but your video is very helpfull and best one. Thank you very much.

[@itsbreellis]

SO MUCH GREAT INFO!! Thank you for sharing!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! I just got a potters wheel and I haven't done it in years. Your video is excellent. Wish me luck!

[@jenniferrackley249]

Best video and instruction I’ve seen -your process clicked for me!!!

[@joslyngardiner8468]

Thank you for some great tips. It has helped me a lot in getting the basics right and understanding why and what to do.

[@hollycahill3901]

You've got such a good way if explaining. And a meditative voice, too.

[@martinpanev6651]

Amazing! This helps me a lot as a beginning potter haha... Im going down in my basement to try some pottery now!

[@user-wf4le9io7t]

Your video is really helpful!! I want to be skillful like you!!! Thank you for your amazing videos! from Japan;D

[@lisataylor1305]

going into greater detail through all the stages is so very, very helpful, thank you

[@nancyomalley3713]

I've watched this video several times and each time I have found it very useful. I'm a pottery throwing newby and am having problems associated with hand strength, coordination and general technique. Thank you for breaking the process down.

[@petermakk9727]

I really like the coning process of the clay

[@susiehallam]

Such a helpful video even for someone who has been learning pottery for two years. I like the way you film yours with voiceover and the camera focused on the pot and your hands. Very useful advice. Thank you.

[@anitaerickson1971]

OMG, thank you for your pottery skill lesson. I can't wait to get into my new house and start making pottery items

[@simplyrazan]

My first class will be in Sept /oct.. and I can't wait to start.. I have been watching your work for a year! And i feel so confident to start bonding with this craft.. Thank you for all this helpful videos and content!

[@floriangadsby]

Good luck! You’ll love it I’m sure. Thanks for watching for all that time, it means a lot.

[@cariadwales1979]

Thank you Florian, Great tips for removing pots off the wheel.

[@user-rt1gz8ye3h]

Excellent and clear! Thank you for this tutorial, it's helped me identify several things that are giving me trouble.

[@penseagrandegrandeseancole7974]

Wow. So beautiful. Thank you teacher.

[@themoodyonejb]

Absolutely enjoyed this video!!!

[@TanaMakes]

I already knew this was going to be the best centering and throwing video I'd ever watch once I saw it was by you. Thank you so much. 6 weeks into pottery!

[@anashwarasatheesh4338]

This is the best pottery wheel guide video everrr! Very well presented😍 thank you so much !

[@clarasteuerwald2397]

sooo this summer i was taught to always clean the excess clay from the wheel and to wet the wheel before slamming the ball of clay onto it. i’ll try this method in september and see what comes easier and better 🥰