Master the potter’s wheel with this comprehensive guide that takes you from foundational skills to next-level techniques.

Featuring brilliant tricks of the trade from acclaimed artist and instructor Ben Carter, Mastering the Potter’s Wheel is an essential reference for every potter. Ben breaks down the seemingly complex process of wheel throwing into manageable steps, provides a wealth of options for customizing your work, and gives detailed advice for refining your technique. Richly illustrated with color photography, this inspiring volume includes:



Essential techniques in wheel throwing, from wedging clay to throwing, centering, shaping, and trimming pots on the wheel, with a section dedicated to troubleshooting common problems
Advanced techniques and tips for creating feet; making lids, knobs, handles, and spouts; forming bowls, cups, plates, and teapots; altering pots, including paddling and darting; throwing large vessels; and decorating and finishing your pieces
Skill-building exercises for expanding your range and improving your techniques
An overview of studio safety, including silica dust mitigation, handling toxic materials, correct body posture to avoid injuries, and stretching exercises
Artist features and inspirational galleries with photos of work from today’s top working artists, including Kyle Carpenter, Sam Chung, Chandra DeBuse, Julia Galloway, Martha Grover, Ayumie Horie, Forrest Lesch-Middleton, Kristen Kieffer, Kathy King, Matt Long, Alex Matisse, Lorna Meaden, Doug Peltzman, Mackenzie Smith, Shawn Spangler, and many more


Take your skills—and your work—to the next level with Mastering the Potter’s Wheel.

The Mastering Ceramics series is for artists who never stop learning. With compelling projects, expert insight, step-by-step photos, and galleries of work from today’s top artists, these books are the perfect studio companions. Also available from the series: Mastering Hand Building, Mastering Kilns and Firing, and Amazing Glaze.

Foreword by: Linda Arbuckle