Common Mistakes to Avoid When Striving to Improve Your Pottery Skills

Pottery is a craft that demands patience, creativity, and continuous learning. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced potter, there’s always room for improvement. However, the journey to mastering pottery is filled with challenges and potential pitfalls. Understanding common mistakes can help you refine your techniques and achieve the results you desire. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most frequent errors potters make and how to avoid them, ensuring your pottery journey is as smooth as possible.

1. Neglecting the Importance of Proper Clay Preparation

One of the most critical aspects of pottery is starting with well-prepared clay. Yet, many potters, especially beginners, overlook this step. Proper clay preparation, or wedging, is essential to remove air bubbles, ensure even moisture distribution, and make the clay easier to work with on the wheel or in hand-building.

Common Mistake: Skipping or rushing through wedging.

Solution: Take your time to thoroughly wedge your clay. The process should be consistent and deliberate, folding and pressing the clay until it’s uniform. Not only does this make the clay easier to work with, but it also reduces the risk of cracks or explosions during firing.

2. Improper Centering on the Wheel

Centering the clay on the wheel is a fundamental skill that every potter must master. It sets the foundation for all your work on the wheel. Unfortunately, improper centering is a common issue that can lead to uneven walls, misshapen forms, and overall frustration.

Common Mistake: Failing to properly center the clay before starting to shape it.

Solution: Spend adequate time centering your clay before you begin any other steps. Use consistent pressure with both hands, keeping your arms braced and steady. If the clay is wobbly, don’t proceed until it’s fully centered. Remember, patience here will save you time and trouble later in the process.

3. Overworking the Clay

While it’s important to spend time perfecting your pottery, overworking the clay can lead to issues like dryness, cracks, and structural weaknesses. Clay has a limited workability window, and pushing it too far can result in a finished product that’s prone to breakage.

Common Mistake: Continuously manipulating the clay beyond its workable state.

Solution: Learn to recognize when your clay is at its limit. If the clay begins to feel dry or overly soft, it’s time to stop. Instead of forcing the process, allow the piece to rest or rehydrate the clay if needed. Practicing mindfulness and restraint in your approach can lead to better results.

4. Inconsistent Wall Thickness

Achieving consistent wall thickness is crucial for both the aesthetics and durability of your pottery. Inconsistent walls can cause uneven drying and firing, leading to cracks, warping, or even breakage.

Common Mistake: Allowing the walls of your pottery to become uneven during the throwing process.

Solution: Focus on controlling the pressure and movement of your hands as you pull the walls. Practice pulling evenly and gradually, checking the thickness regularly. Using a needle tool to measure wall thickness can help you maintain consistency.

5. Ignoring the Importance of Timing

Timing is everything in pottery, from the moment you start shaping your piece to the time it spends drying before firing. Rushing any stage of the process can lead to disappointing results.

Common Mistake: Rushing through stages like drying, trimming, or glazing.

Solution: Allow your pieces to dry slowly and evenly. Don’t rush trimming or glazing, as these are opportunities to refine your work. Remember, pottery is a process that rewards patience. Take the time to let your pieces develop at their own pace.

6. Using Too Much Water

Water is a crucial element in wheel throwing, helping to keep the clay workable and preventing it from sticking to your hands. However, using too much water can weaken the clay, making it difficult to shape and more likely to collapse.

Common Mistake: Overusing water during the throwing process, which leads to overly soft and weak clay.

Solution: Use water sparingly and only as needed. Keep a sponge handy to absorb excess water and ensure that your clay maintains its structure. Learning to use just the right amount of water will improve your control and the quality of your pieces.

7. Overloading the Kiln

Firing your pottery is one of the most exciting steps in the process, but it’s also one of the most delicate. Overloading the kiln, or improperly loading it, can lead to uneven firing, glazed pieces sticking together, or even kiln damage.

Common Mistake: Placing too many pieces in the kiln at once or not allowing adequate space between them.

Solution: Always follow your kiln’s capacity guidelines and ensure there’s enough space between pieces for even heat distribution. If you’re firing glazed pieces, make sure they’re not touching, as glaze can cause them to fuse together. Patience and careful planning during kiln loading can save you from costly mistakes.

8. Skipping Test Tiles

Glazing is an art form in itself, and skipping test tiles can lead to unexpected results. Different clays, glazes, and firing conditions can all affect the final outcome, so it’s essential to test your glazes before applying them to your main pieces.

Common Mistake: Applying new glazes directly to finished pieces without testing them first.

Solution: Create test tiles for every glaze, especially if you’re experimenting with new combinations or firing conditions. This allows you to see how the glaze reacts to your clay body and firing process, helping you achieve the desired result on your final piece.

9. Not Keeping a Pottery Journal

As you progress in your pottery journey, keeping track of your methods, successes, and failures becomes invaluable. A pottery journal allows you to document your processes, making it easier to replicate successes and learn from mistakes.

Common Mistake: Failing to document your techniques, glaze recipes, and firing schedules.

Solution: Start a pottery journal where you record every detail of your process. Include information about clay bodies, glaze recipes, firing temperatures, and any observations you make along the way. Over time, this journal will become an invaluable resource for improving your pottery skills.

10. Underestimating the Drying Process

Proper drying is crucial to prevent cracks and warping in your pottery. Uneven drying or drying pieces too quickly can lead to issues that may not be apparent until after firing.

Common Mistake: Allowing pieces to dry too quickly or unevenly.

Solution: Dry your pieces slowly and evenly, ideally under a plastic cover to control the environment. Rotate your pieces occasionally to ensure even drying, especially with larger items. Patience during the drying process can make the difference between a successful piece and one that’s riddled with cracks.

11. Neglecting Ergonomics

Pottery can be physically demanding, and poor ergonomics can lead to strain or injury over time. From how you sit at the wheel to how you handle tools, it’s important to be mindful of your body’s needs.

Common Mistake: Ignoring proper posture and ergonomics while working, leading to discomfort or injury.

Solution: Pay attention to your posture when working at the wheel or table. Adjust your seat height so your legs are parallel to the floor, and keep your back straight. Take breaks to stretch and relax your hands and wrists. Prioritizing ergonomics will help you work more comfortably and sustainably.

12. Overcomplicating Designs

While it’s natural to want to push your creative boundaries, overcomplicating your designs, especially when you’re still developing your skills, can lead to frustration and subpar results.

Common Mistake: Attempting overly complex designs before mastering basic techniques.

Solution: Focus on mastering basic forms and techniques before moving on to more complex designs. As you gain confidence and experience, you can gradually incorporate more intricate details into your work. Remember, simplicity often leads to the most elegant results in pottery.

13. Failing to Learn from Mistakes

Every potter, no matter how experienced, will encounter mistakes. What sets successful potters apart is their ability to learn from these mistakes and use them as opportunities for growth.

Common Mistake: Repeating the same mistakes without analyzing what went wrong.

Solution: When a piece doesn’t turn out as expected, take the time to reflect on what might have caused the issue. Was it a problem with centering, drying, or glazing? By identifying the root cause, you can avoid making the same mistake in the future. Every mishap is a chance to improve your skills.

14. Not Seeking Feedback

Pottery can be a solitary practice, but seeking feedback from others—whether from instructors, peers, or online communities—can provide valuable insights that you might not have considered on your own.

Common Mistake: Working in isolation and not seeking constructive feedback.

Solution: Share your work with others, attend pottery classes or workshops, and participate in pottery communities. Constructive criticism can help you identify areas for improvement and inspire new ideas. Remember, even seasoned potters benefit from fresh perspectives.

15. Lack of Experimentation

While it’s important to develop your skills through repetition and practice, staying in your comfort zone for too long can stifle creativity. Experimentation is key to discovering new techniques, styles, and personal growth.

Common Mistake: Sticking to the same methods and materials without exploring new possibilities.

Solution: Dedicate time to experiment with new clay bodies, glazes, firing techniques, and forms. Not every experiment will be a success, but each one will teach you something valuable. Don’t be afraid to take risks and try something new—whether it’s a different glazing technique, a new form, or an alternative firing method. Pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone is where real creativity and innovation happen in pottery.

16. Overlooking the Importance of Tools

In pottery, your tools are extensions of your hands, and using the right tools in the right way is crucial to achieving the best results. Many potters, especially those just starting, may not fully understand how to use their tools effectively, which can hinder their progress.

Common Mistake: Not investing in or properly using quality tools.

Solution: Take the time to familiarize yourself with the various pottery tools available, such as ribs, trimming tools, and sponges. Learn how each tool can assist in shaping, smoothing, and detailing your work. Additionally, ensure your tools are always clean and in good condition—dull or dirty tools can damage your clay and affect the quality of your work. Over time, you may find certain tools that become your favorites, helping you develop your unique style.

17. Improper Glaze Application

Glazing can be one of the most challenging aspects of pottery, but it’s also what gives your pieces their final, beautiful finish. Improper application, however, can lead to issues such as running, uneven coverage, or pinholes.

Common Mistake: Applying glazes too thickly or thinly, leading to unsatisfactory results.

Solution: Apply glazes evenly and in the appropriate thickness. Use multiple thin layers rather than one thick coat, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next. Be sure to stir your glazes thoroughly before use, as some components may settle at the bottom. Also, remember to clean the bottom of your piece before firing to avoid it sticking to the kiln shelf. Testing your glazes on test tiles, as mentioned earlier, can also help you better predict how they will behave on your final pieces.

18. Not Understanding the Clay Body

Different clay bodies have different properties, and not all clays are suited for all types of pottery. Some clays are more plastic and easy to shape, while others may be more brittle or shrink more during firing.

Common Mistake: Using a clay body that is not suited to the intended pottery form or firing temperature.

Solution: Educate yourself on the different types of clay bodies and their characteristics. For example, earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain each have unique properties that affect how they should be worked and fired. Choose the appropriate clay for your project and firing method. If you’re unsure, consult with your supplier or try small batches of different clays to see which works best for your needs.

19. Underestimating the Impact of Firing Temperature

The firing process can make or break your pottery, literally. Firing at the wrong temperature can lead to underfired, overfired, or cracked pieces. Each clay body and glaze has an optimal firing temperature range, and exceeding or not reaching this range can cause issues.

Common Mistake: Not monitoring the kiln’s temperature closely or using the wrong firing schedule.

Solution: Ensure that you know the proper firing temperature for both your clay body and glaze. Use pyrometric cones or a digital thermometer to accurately monitor the kiln’s temperature. Follow a firing schedule that suits your specific materials—this includes ramping up the heat slowly, holding at certain temperatures if necessary, and allowing the kiln to cool down gradually to prevent thermal shock. Proper firing is essential for achieving strong, durable, and beautifully finished pieces.

20. Skipping Post-Firing Evaluation

After your pieces have been fired and cooled, it’s tempting to move on to the next project. However, taking the time to evaluate your finished work is crucial for continuous improvement.

Common Mistake: Not critically assessing your work after firing.

Solution: Examine each piece carefully once it’s out of the kiln. Look for signs of warping, glaze defects, or cracks. Consider what went well and what didn’t. Was the glaze application even? Did the clay body hold up as expected? Did the form maintain its integrity? By critically assessing your finished work, you can identify areas for improvement and refine your techniques for future projects.

21. Failing to Clean Up Properly

Pottery studios can get messy quickly, and neglecting regular clean-up can lead to a chaotic workspace that hinders creativity and productivity. Moreover, clay dust can be hazardous to your health if it’s allowed to accumulate.

Common Mistake: Allowing the studio to become cluttered and not cleaning up regularly.

Solution: Establish a routine for cleaning up your workspace at the end of each session. This includes wiping down surfaces, properly storing tools and materials, and regularly mopping the floor to minimize dust. A clean and organized studio is not only safer but also more conducive to creativity. It allows you to focus on your work without unnecessary distractions.

22. Not Setting Realistic Expectations

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of creating something beautiful, but setting unrealistic expectations for yourself can lead to frustration and burnout. Pottery is a skill that takes time to develop, and not every piece will turn out perfectly.

Common Mistake: Expecting to master complex techniques quickly and becoming discouraged by setbacks.

Solution: Set realistic, achievable goals for yourself. Celebrate small victories, such as mastering a new technique or successfully firing a challenging piece. Understand that mistakes and failures are part of the learning process and that each piece, whether it’s a success or a lesson, contributes to your growth as a potter. Patience and perseverance are key to improving your skills over time.

23. Not Taking Time to Reflect and Reset

Pottery can be both physically and mentally demanding. It’s important to take time to reflect on your progress and give yourself breaks to avoid burnout. Constantly pushing yourself without taking time to reset can lead to creative blocks and frustration.

Common Mistake: Not giving yourself time to rest and recharge, leading to burnout.

Solution: Schedule regular breaks and take time to step back and reflect on your journey. Whether it’s a short walk, a day off, or a creative break to explore other art forms, giving yourself time to reset can help you return to your pottery practice with fresh energy and ideas. Reflection also allows you to appreciate how far you’ve come and set new goals for the future.

24. Ignoring the Business Side of Pottery

If you’re selling your pottery, whether through a studio, online, or at markets, it’s important to balance your creative process with the practicalities of running a business. Focusing solely on the art without attention to marketing, pricing, or customer relations can hinder your success.

Common Mistake: Neglecting the business aspects of selling pottery, such as marketing, pricing, and customer service.

Solution: Educate yourself on the basics of running a small business. This includes understanding how to price your work, promote it effectively, and manage your finances. Consider creating a website or social media presence to showcase your work and connect with potential customers. Good customer service, clear communication, and maintaining professional standards are essential for building a successful pottery business. Balancing creativity with business acumen will help you thrive as both an artist and an entrepreneur.

Conclusion

Improving your pottery skills is a journey that requires dedication, patience, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. By being aware of common pitfalls and actively working to avoid them, you can refine your techniques and create pottery that reflects your growth as an artist. Remember, every piece you create, whether a success or a lesson, is a step forward in your pottery journey.

At The Pottery Hut in Mississauga, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your skills, our classes and memberships offer the perfect environment to learn, experiment, and grow. Join us and discover the joy of pottery—one masterpiece at a time.