Although you can build a vase with any technique, this tutorial is going to teach you how to make a simple slab-build cylindrical vessel. This creates a perfect canvas for adding attachments like a face, using the tools to create texture, or painting patterns.

What you'll need

Pottery Starter Kit from noah
Rolling pin or wine bottle
Plastic sheet or cling film
Protective clothing
Latex gloves (if sensitive to clay)

Shop the kit

How to make it

11 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 Roll out a slab

Using your rolling pin, wine bottle, or other cylindrical object, roll out an even slab. We recommend aiming for around 5mm but feel free to go thicker if you plan to add a lot of texture. Use the straight edge of the potters' rib to smooth out any indents or cracks.

Step 3 Cut out a base

Either cut a freehand shape or use a circular item, such as a bowl, to get the perfect circle.

Step 4 Cut out a rectangle for the wall

If necessary, re-roll your slab after cutting out the base to make the best use of your clay. This rectangle will form the walls of the piece so pick up the slab and make sure it's wide enough to go all the way around your base. If not, re-roll the slab as required.

Step 5 Score and slip

After checking that everything fits correctly, score the points where clay will be attached using the needle tool and add slip which will act as a glue to bind the pieces together.

Step 6 Attach the walls to the base

Connect the pieces together using even pressure to push the walls into the floor. If you're having difficulty with this step, you can use a cylindrical item to keep the slab circular as you attach it.

Step 7 Connect the walls

Slipping and scoring the attachment point, connect where the walls join. You can either trim off any excess clay or leave the overlap as a feature.

Step 8 Compress the joins

Using the wooden modelling tool and your fingers, smooth the clay over to create a solid join between the walls and base. Use the metal or potters rib to compress the two pieces of the wall and bring them together into a nice smooth finish if you trimmed the excess.

Step 9 Finish the piece

Now is the time to add any texture to the piece. If you're distorting the shape as you work, leave it for an hour or two to firm up. Smooth off the rim and any bumps and lumps with a damp sponge.

Step 10 Paint and varnish

After leaving the piece to dry for a couple of days (you can tell it's dry when the clay turns white), it's time to paint and varnish the piece. Paint in several thin layers, letting each coat dry for around 15 minutes. This is your chance to experiment: mix your own colours, play with layering, and use the different brushes for areas of flat colour and fine details. Once you're happy with the painting, give it a varnish for a glossy finish and some added strength.

Step 11 Admire!

Put some dried flowers in your vase and give your new creation pride of place in your home or gift it to a loved one. Although the paint and varnish adds durability and some water resistance, avoid filling the vase with water.

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