Mastering the Pull: A Comprehensive Guide to Throwing Pottery Walls

What you'll learn in this explainer:

Summary: Pulling walls is often the most challenging hurdle for beginner potters. It's the magical moment where a lump of clay transforms into a vessel, but it requires a delicate balance of pressure, speed, and steadiness. This guide will walk you through the fundamental techniques, offer essential tips for success, and help you troubleshoot the common mistakes that lead to wobbly,

Posted by Dan Pearce, Clay Hole Founder

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MUST WATCH! My Favorite Wall Pulling Explainer Video

A helpful infographic "cheat sheet"

Mastering the Pull: A Comprehensive Guide to Throwing Pottery Walls

Before You Pull: The Foundation

A successful pull starts before you even begin lifting the clay.

  1. Perfect Centering: You cannot pull even walls from uncentered clay. Spend the extra time to get your clay perfectly centered.
  2. Opening and Compressing: Open your clay to the desired floor width and compress the bottom. A well-compressed floor prevents S-cracks later.
  3. Coning Up (Optional but Recommended): Before your first pull, gently squeeze the clay into a truncated cone shape. This organizes the clay particles and makes the first lift much easier.

The Mechanics of a Proper Pull

The core concept of pulling is to create a "point of pressure" between your inside and outside hands and move that point steadily upwards.

  • Hand Position: Your left hand (for right-handed throwers) is typically inside the pot, and your right hand is on the outside. A common and effective grip is to use the fingertips of your inside hand and the knuckle or fingertips of your outside hand.
  • The Offset: This is crucial. Your outside hand should be slightly lower than your inside hand. You are pushing the clay in with your outside hand and lifting it up over the "ledge" created by your inside fingers.
  • Body Position: Anchor your elbows on your legs or splash pan. Your body should be rigid; only your forearms and hands should move up. This stability is key to preventing wobbles.
  • Wheel Speed: Slow down! Centering requires high speed, but pulling should be done at a medium, consistent speed.

Tips and Tricks for Success

  • Use a Sponge: Holding a small sponge in your outside hand can help provide a consistent supply of water and smooth the wall as you pull.
  • Watch Your Profile: Aim for a wall that is slightly thicker at the bottom and tapers to a thinner rim. A thick top and thin bottom is a recipe for collapse.
  • Don't Overwork It: Clay gets "tired" as it absorbs water. Try to achieve your form in as few efficient pulls as possible.
  • Practice on Cylinders: Master the cylinder first. It is the foundational shape for almost all other forms, from mugs to vases.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

  • Ripping or Tearing: You are likely moving your hands up too quickly for the wheel speed, or the clay is not wet enough. Slow down your upward movement and ensure good lubrication.
  • Wobbly Walls: This can be caused by not being centered, moving your hands inconsistently, or not having your arms anchored. Focus on stability and steady movements.
  • Thin/Weak Rims: You are maintaining too much pressure at the top of the pull. Remember to gradually release pressure as you approach the rim.
  • Walls Won't Grow: You aren't applying enough pressure at the base to move the clay, or your hands aren't properly offset. Make sure your outside hand is under the clay you want to lift.

MUST WATCH! Another Helpful Explainer Video for Pulling Walls

What NOT To Do

Sometimes it helps to see what can go wrong. This video by Ingleton Pottery highlights common mistakes beginners make when pulling walls.

Watch the video below to see examples of pulling too fast, pinching too hard, and other common pitfalls to avoid.

 

Remember, pulling walls is a skill that takes time to develop. Don't get discouraged by failures; each collapsed pot is a lesson learned. Keep practicing, stay patient, and soon you'll be throwing tall, even cylinders with ease!

Watch the What NOT to do video

Posted by Dan Pearce, Clay Hole Founder

View More Pottery Wheel Explainers