This amazing video shown above which is full of helpful visual insights was posted by Florian Gadsby.​

Hey, so you wanna center clay on the wheel? Awesome. Let’s get into it.

If you’ve ever sat down at the wheel, slapped a ball of clay on there, and watched it wobble around like it’s got a mind of its own, you’re not alone. Centering is one of those make-or-break skills in pottery.

If your clay isn’t centered, everything else… opening, pulling, shaping… becomes ten times harder.

But don’t stress, I’m gonna walk you through it step by step.

Step 1: Prepping Your Clay

Before you even touch the wheel, you gotta wedge your clay. Think of wedging like kneading bread dough – it gets rid of air bubbles and makes the clay smooth and uniform. If you skip this step, you might end up with little pockets of air that can mess up your piece later.

Once your clay is wedged, shape it into a ball. Doesn’t have to be perfect, just roundish. A good shape helps it stick to the wheel better and makes centering easier.

Wedging: Begin by kneading the clay to eliminate air bubbles and achieve a uniform consistency. This process, known as wedging, aligns the clay particles, making it more workable.​
Shaping: After wedging, mold the clay into a smooth, spherical shape. This initial form facilitates easier centering on the wheel.

Step 2: Getting Set Up

Alright, now let’s talk about you. How you sit at the wheel matters more than you think. Get close enough so your arms can rest on your thighs or the splash pan – this helps stabilize your movements. Keep your back straight but not stiff, and plant your feet firmly on the ground. You want to feel balanced and in control.

Seating and Posture: Sit comfortably at the wheel, ensuring your legs are parallel to the ground. Maintain a straight back and position yourself close enough to the wheel to allow your arms to rest on your thighs or the splash pan for stability.​

Step 3: Sticking the Clay Down

Take your ball of clay and give it a solid slam onto the middle of the wheel head. Don’t be shy! You want it to stick so it doesn’t fly off when you start spinning. Once it’s down, press it firmly with both hands to make sure it’s really secured.

Placing the Clay: With the wheel stationary, firmly press the clay ball onto the center of the wheel head. Apply downward pressure to ensure it adheres securely, preventing any movement during the centering process.​

Step 4: Centering the Clay

Now the fun begins. Turn the wheel on – medium to high speed is best. Add a little water to keep things moving smoothly, but not too much or the clay will get too soaked and start to disintegrate.

Your left hand should be anchored – think of it like a wall keeping the clay in place. And your right hand? That’s gonna push down from the top. The trick is applying steady, even pressure.

You’ll want to “cone” the clay up by squeezing it between both hands, then push it back down. This helps align the clay particles and gets everything working together. Repeat this a couple of times. If your hands are bouncing or the clay is pushing back at you, that’s a sign it’s not centered yet. Keep going.

Wheel Speed: Start the wheel at a moderate to high speed. The appropriate speed provides the necessary centrifugal force to assist in the centering process.​

Hand Placement and Pressure:
Anchor Your Arm: Brace your left elbow against your hip or thigh, creating a stable anchor point. This stability is crucial for controlling the clay’s movement.
Left Hand Technique: Place your left hand on the side of the clay, with the thumb pointing upward and fingers pointing downward. This hand applies inward pressure to the clay.​
Right Hand Technique: Position your right hand on top of the clay, with fingers pointing towards the center. This hand applies downward pressure.​
Applying Pressure: Simultaneously press inward with your left hand and downward with your right hand. This combined pressure directs the clay towards the center, reducing any wobbling.​
Coning: Gently squeeze the clay upward into a cone shape by applying inward pressure with both hands. Then, press it back down into a dome shape. Repeating this “coning up and down” process several times helps align the clay particles and ensures uniformity.

Step 5: Checking Your Work

How do you know when it’s centered? Here’s the test: lightly rest your hands on the clay. If it feels smooth, with no bumps or wobbles, congrats – you nailed it! If not, keep applying pressure and adjusting until it stops fighting you.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

• Still wobbly? You might not be applying enough pressure or your hands aren’t steady. Try locking your elbows to your body for more control.
• Feeling frustrated? That’s normal. Nobody gets this perfect on their first try. Or their second. Or their tenth. It takes practice, so don’t give up!

Centering is one of those skills that takes time. There’s no magic shortcut – it’s all about muscle memory and practice. But once you get it down, everything else in pottery starts to feel a whole lot easier. So keep at it, be patient, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.

Happy throwing!