Pick how you want to learn
Beginners usually take one of three routes, and they can be combined:
- A local class: gives you instruction, feedback and access to a studio’s equipment and kiln.
- A community studio or ceramics group: useful once you know the basics, and a good way to meet other makers.
- Self-directed learning: books, videos and online courses. Pottery can be learned this way, though feedback from other potters tends to speed things up.
If you are still deciding whether the craft suits you, our overview of pottery as a hobby can help.
Start with hand building
Hand building is a common recommendation for beginners because it needs little equipment and lets you get a feel for clay before investing in a wheel. The three basic methods are:
- Pinch pots: pressing your thumb into a ball of clay and gradually thinning the walls.
- Coil building: rolling ropes of clay and stacking and blending them into walls.
- Slab building: rolling flat sheets of clay and joining them into boxes, plates or cylinders.
For a fuller comparison with the wheel, see hand building vs wheel throwing.
The basic tool kit
You do not need much. A typical beginner set includes:
- A wire cutter for cutting clay from the block
- A sponge for smoothing and cleaning
- A rib (wood, metal or rubber) for shaping and smoothing surfaces
- A needle tool and a loop or trimming tool
- A rolling pin and two wooden guides or strips for slabs
- A canvas or board to work on, and a bucket or container for water
Many household items can stand in at first. Basic kits are widely sold and are usually inexpensive compared with equipment like wheels and kilns.
Choosing a first clay
Two clay types are common for beginners:
- Earthenware: generally fires at lower temperatures and is easy to work.
- Stoneware: generally fires at higher temperatures and is durable once fired.
The best choice is often the clay your local studio fires, because firing temperatures must match the clay. Ask what they use before you buy, and see pottery clay types and how to choose one for more detail. For background on these terms, see pottery vs ceramics.
From wet clay to finished piece
- Wedge the clay to even it out (see how to mix and prepare clay).
- Shape the piece, keeping wall thickness fairly even.
- Dry slowly until leather-hard, then refine details or join parts.
- Dry fully until bone dry.
- Bisque fire to harden the piece.
- Glaze and glaze fire to finish it.
Drying takes patience, and rushing it is a common cause of cracks.
Getting your work fired without a kiln
Most beginners do not own a kiln. Our guide to pottery without a kiln goes deeper, and options generally include:
- Using a community studio or class that includes firing.
- Paying a studio that fires outside work for a fee.
- Using air-dry clay for decorative pieces (see clay crafts for adults), which does not need a kiln but is not a substitute for fired ceramics, especially for food use.
Check any studio’s rules on clay types and size limits first.
When to think about a wheel or kiln
Wait until you know you will stick with the hobby. A wheel and a kiln are large purchases with practical needs such as space, power and ventilation, and a kiln has safety considerations. See how much pottery kilns cost before budgeting. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and consider talking to an experienced potter or supplier before buying.
Common beginner mistakes
- Skipping wedging, which can leave air pockets or uneven clay
- Making walls very uneven or too thick, which can lead to cracking
- Joining pieces without scoring and slipping them
- Drying too quickly
- Using a clay and glaze that do not match the firing
Beginner FAQs
Is pottery a cheap hobby? It can be fairly affordable if you start with a class or hand building. Costs rise with wheels, kilns and regular firing fees.
Can pottery be self-taught? Yes, many hobby potters learn through books, videos and community feedback.
Is pottery hard for beginners? Hand building is generally approachable. Wheel throwing usually takes more practice.
Do potters make good money? Income varies widely, and many people keep pottery as a hobby or a side activity rather than a main income. We would not rely on it as a given.