Pinching is one of the simplest techniques for quickly making a vessel - in fact, archeologists have found pinchpots in China dating back over 17,000 years. This traditional approach is quick, easy and can be learnt in just a few minutes but is used by modern ceramic artists to create delicate pots or as the basis for complex and beautiful sculptural pieces.

This technique will allow you to start understanding how to manipulate clay: how it responds to touch, and how force moves the clay upwards or outwards depending on how the pressure is applied by your fingers.

Pinchpots are a great way of quickly making smaller vessels - anything larger than you can reach your hand into will have to be built using a different technique - but you can also use pinching to quickly form the base for coiled or slab built vessels.

What you'll need

Pottery Starter Kit from noah
Bowl of water
Protective clothing
Latex gloves (if sensitive to clay)

Shop the kit

How to make it

8 steps

Step 1 Knead the clay

Knead the clay for around 1 minute to align the particles and make it easier to work with.

Step 2 Make a ball

Roll the clay into a ball and smooth out any major crevasses or cracks. I'd recommend starting with around a quarter of a bag of clay (250g).

Step 3 Make a hole

Holding the ball in your non-dominant hand (your left hand if you're a right-hander), push the other thumb into the middle of the ball to form an opening. If you're aiming for a taller pot, aim for a thick shot-glass shape, if you want a flatter dish, start with more of a puck shape. In either case, make sure you leave enough clay at the bottom to form the base - don't push your thumb all the way through!

Step 4 Pinch the basic shape

Rotating the ball in your off hand, gently pinch the walls between thumb and forefinger starting from the bottom. As you pinch the clay, it has nowhere to go but upwards, creating the walls of the piece. Pinch with an even force avoiding thin or thick spots. Take your time with this - it's easier to do another lap than fix a pot that's got too thin or uneven.

Step 5 Refine the shape

Depending on how you apply pressure, you can move the walls upwards or outwards. If you're aiming for a tall shape, focus on pressing inwards with the index finger, if you're aiming for a shallow bowl, focus on pressing outwards with the thumb. Watch how the clay responds to varying pressure and alter accordingly.

Step 6 Add a little water or slip to smooth out cracks

Don't worry if small cracks develop as you pinch the clay, these can be smoothed out using a damp sponge or finger. Only add enough water to cover the cracks - too much can weaken the clay and cause worse problems down the road. For larger cracks, use a little slip (thickly mixed clay and water) to fill the gaps.

Step 7 Finish the pot

Use a damp sponge to smooth out the rim and any irregularities or marks on the walls. Use the loop tool to straighten the rim if necessary and you can use the metal scraper or loop tool to remove any excess clay and refine the shape once it's dried a little.

Step 8 Dry and decorate

Now's your chance to make the pot your own. Use the tools to carve designs or add texture before the clay is fully dry. Once you're happy, or if you only want to paint it, leave the pot somewhere safe to dry for a day or two away from direct heat such as radiators or sunlight. When the clay turns white, it's ready to paint. Use the included acrylic paints and brushes to add a splash of colour or intricate designs. Let your creativity run wild! For the best coverage, it's better to use several thin layers than a single thick one, letting each coat dry for 15 mins or so before adding the next. Once you're happy, add a coat of varnish for a gloss finish and a little extra strength.

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