Hand-Building with clay
Discover calm, creativity, and connection through our hand-building ceramics classes.
In our adult pottery classes, you'll cultivate creativity and well-being as you learn how clay can be a gateway to mindfulness, self-expression, and community. You'll be guided through the fundamental techniques of coil building, slab construction, and pinch pots, transforming clay into functional tableware, sculptural art, and personalized gifts. You'll also gain an understanding of the critical changes and stages clay goes through, from slip to glaze wear.
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Ideal for beginners and those looking to brush up on their skills, our classes offer a therapeutic rhythm that fosters personal growth. You'll leave with handmade treasures, a renewed focus, pride in your craft, and friendships forged at the studio table. We provide all the necessary tools, materials, and expert insights, so all you need to bring is your curiosity.
Here’s a quick overview of the fundamental hand building techniques we teach here at Lantau Pottery Studio.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We're always happy to help!
Pinching
The pinch pot method stands out as one of the oldest and most intuitive hand-building techniques in ceramics, making it perfect for beginners. It is also favored for its mindful, tactile process.
Starting with just a ball of clay, you gently press your thumb into the center to create an opening. Then, using your fingers, slowly pinch and rotate the clay outward, coaxing it into a bowl, vase, or sculptural form. This method emphasizes your connection with the material, allowing you to feel the clay’s responsiveness as you shape it, while fostering focus and calm.
Although it is simple, pinch pots can be layered, textured, or combined with other techniques to create intricate designs. It’s ideal for stress relief and creative experimentation and serves as a gateway to both functional pottery and artistic expression.
Coiling
Coiling is a fundamental hand-building technique where clay is rolled into long, rope-like strands, known as coils, which are then layered to create various forms, from sculptural vessels to contemporary tableware.
This therapeutic process involves first crafting uniform coils, and then carefully stacking and blending them into your chosen shape, whether it be a symmetrical mug, a curved vase, or an abstract art piece. Unlike wheel-throwing, coiling encourages a slower, more thoughtful approach, giving you the chance to perfect details as you build.
As you smooth and mold the coils, the clay transforms into a canvas ready for texture, carving, or complex designs. Perfect for both practical items and artistic expression, coiling links you to a global ceramic heritage that stretches back thousands of years, all while providing boundless creative opportunities.
Slab Building
Slab building is a ceramics technique that involves rolling clay into flat, even sheets, or “slabs,” which are then cut and shaped to create various forms. The process begins by rolling out clay to your preferred thickness, followed by cutting geometric or freeform pieces using templates or your own intuition.
To assemble your design, join the edges using scoring and slip, a clay "glue," and smooth the seams to create seamless structures. This method is particularly suitable for angular or sculptural pieces, such as sleek vases, textured trays, or three-dimensional wall art, and combines meticulous planning with spontaneous creativity.
You can also enhance your work by carving patterns, pressing textures, or layering slabs. Ideal for both functional and decorative items, slab building provides a therapeutic blend of focus and experimentation, all while connecting you to a community of makers in our studio.