Here are the basic techniques used by working potters and ceramic artists.

Throwing

A mound of soft, fresh clay is turned, or thrown, on the wheel to form the basic shape of the pot. The potter uses his hands and a variety of tools to form the shape. The resulting pot, called greenware, is removed from the wheel and left to dry slowly.

(The potter's wheel is used for forming round shapes such as bowls or vases. Other forms can be hand built using clay slabs and coils.)

Trimming

Once the greenware is dry and firm enough to handle (leather hard), it is placed back on the wheel and trimmed to its final form using a variety of tools to work the spinning pot. After trimming, it is again set aside to dry further.

Bisque Firing

When the trimmed pots are bone dry, they are placed in a gas or electric kiln for bisque firing. Depending on the type of clay used, this initial firing will be from 1800 to 2300 degrees Fahrenheit. The kiln may take a day or more to cool. The pots, now called bisqueware, are hard and relatively strong after this initial firing. Note that during the firing, the pot may shrink as much as 15%. It's important for the potter to plan ahead!

To determine the temperature in the kiln, potters use cones made of various types of clay. At a particular temperature, depending on the type of clay, the cone will soften and lean over, telling the potter that the kiln has reached the desired heat. (The cones can be observed through peep-holes in the side of the kiln.)

Glazing

The bisqueware can be dipped or painted with glazes. Stains and special coloring materials called underglazes can also be used to decorate the pots. Normal paints cannot be used for glazing pottery... the pigments are destroyed by the high temperatures of the glaze firing. Some of the best materials for bright, vivid colors (such as lead) are now known to be poisonous. Potters now use guaranteed lead-free, safe chemicals for glazing containers and tableware.

Glaze Firing

In the final firing, the chemicals in the glaze form a hard, smooth, and usually non-porous surface. The pottery itself goes through further changes in the final firing, becoming harder, stronger, and less porous. Glaze firing temperatures may range from 1900 to 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, or higher.