Can I Learn Pottery Online?
Yes—for hand-building. Not really—for wheel throwing. Here's the honest breakdown of what works online and what doesn't.
Quick Answer
Yes, you can learn pottery online—with limits. Hand-building works well online through video tutorials (pinching, coiling, slabs). Wheel throwing needs in-person classes—you can't learn centering without hands-on feedback. Best approach: Learn theory and hand-building online, attend in-person classes for wheel throwing.
What Pottery Skills You Can Learn Online
✓ Hand-Building Techniques (Highly Effective)
Pinching, coiling, and slab building work well in online courses. Techniques are slow and visual—you can pause videos, rewatch steps, and follow along. No equipment beyond clay and basic tools required.
✓ Decorating & Surface Techniques (Highly Effective)
Carving, stamping, slip trailing, sgraffito, and underglaze painting are excellent for online learning. These techniques are visual and don't require mechanical feedback. YouTube has thousands of tutorials.
✓ Pottery Theory & Knowledge (Very Effective)
Clay types, firing stages, glaze chemistry, kiln operation, studio safety—all teachable online. Understanding theory accelerates your practical learning when you do attend classes.
✓ Glazing Application Methods (Moderately Effective)
Brushing, dipping, pouring, and spraying glazes can be learned from online tutorials. However, predicting fired results requires experience—online courses can't replace test firings.
What Doesn't Work Well Online
✗ Wheel Throwing (Very Difficult Online)
Centering clay on the wheel is nearly impossible to learn without in-person feedback.Videos can't tell you if your pressure is right, hand position is correct, or clay is centered. You need an instructor to physically correct your technique.
✗ Trimming & Refining (Difficult Online)
Trimming foot rings and refining shapes demands precision. Online videos can show the technique, but you can't get real-time feedback on whether you're cutting too deep or holding tools correctly.
✗ Kiln Work & Firing (Impossible Online)
You can't fire pottery at home without a kiln (£500-£2,000+). Online courses can teach firing theory, but you'll need studio access or kiln-sharing services to fire your work.
✗ Immediate Feedback & Corrections (Missing Online)
Instructors in classes correct bad habits before they form. "Your hands are too tense," "Add more water," "Center higher on the wheel"—this real-time coaching is absent in online learning.
Online vs. In-Person: Full Comparison
| Factor | Online Learning | In-Person Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £10-50 per course (one-time) | £35-50 per class (ongoing) |
| Hand-building | ✓✓✓ Excellent | ✓✓✓ Excellent |
| Wheel throwing | ✗ Poor (theory only) | ✓✓✓ Essential |
| Real-time feedback | ✗ None | ✓✓✓ Immediate |
| Equipment needed | Clay, tools, workspace (£50-150) | None (studio provides all) |
| Firing access | ✗ Not included (need kiln) | ✓ Included in class fee |
| Social connection | ✗ Isolated | ✓✓✓ Community building |
| Learning speed | Slow (trial and error) | 5-10x faster (guided) |
| Flexibility | ✓✓✓ Learn anytime | Fixed schedule |
| Best for | Theory, hand-building, exploring | Wheel throwing, skill mastery |
Recommendation: Use online courses to learn theory and hand-building, then attend in-person classes for wheel throwing and firing. Hybrid approach gives best results.
Best Online Pottery Resources
YouTube (Free)
Best for: Hand-building tutorials, decorating techniques, pottery inspiration.Channels: Pottery for All, Ceramic Arts Network, Earth Nation Ceramics.
Pros: Free, wide variety, visual learning. Cons: No structured curriculum, inconsistent quality.
Skillshare (£8-15/month)
Best for: Structured hand-building courses, decorating masterclasses, pottery business advice. Popular courses: "Hand-Building Pottery for Beginners."
Pros: High-quality production, project-based learning. Cons:Subscription required, limited wheel throwing content.
Udemy (£10-50 per course)
Best for: Comprehensive pottery theory, glaze chemistry, business courses. Look for:Courses with 4.5+ stars and 1,000+ students.
Pros: One-time purchase, lifetime access. Cons: Quality varies, instructor expertise inconsistent.
Ceramic Arts Network (£60-150/year)
Best for: Serious learners, advanced techniques, professional development. Includes:Video library, magazine access, expert tutorials.
Pros: Professional-quality content, expert instructors. Cons: Higher cost, best as supplement to in-person learning.
The Best Approach: Hybrid Online + In-Person
Start Online: Theory & Hand-Building
Watch free YouTube tutorials on hand-building. Learn clay types, pottery vocabulary, basic techniques. Cost: Free or £10-30 for a course.
Attend In-Person: Wheel Throwing
Book a 6-week beginner wheel throwing course. Your online theory knowledge accelerates practical learning. Cost: £150-300.
Supplement Online: Advanced Techniques
Use online courses to learn decorating, glazing, and advanced hand-building between classes. Apply what you learn in studio practice.
Practice Regularly: Studio Membership
Join a studio (£80-150/month) for kiln access and open studio time. Watch online tutorials for inspiration and new techniques to try.
Related Questions
Can I teach myself pottery?
Yes, but classes are 5-10x faster. Self-teaching works for hand-building with online tutorials and practice. Wheel throwing is much harder alone—most self-taught potters eventually take classes for centering technique.
Self-taught vs. classes comparison →How to start learning pottery?
Best path: Try a taster class (£35-50) first. This lets you experience pottery in person before investing in equipment or online courses. If you enjoy it, combine in-person classes with online learning.
Complete beginner's guide →How quickly can you learn pottery?
Online hand-building: 4-8 weeks for basics. In-person wheel throwing: 6-10 sessions for centering consistency. Hybrid approach (online theory + in-person practice) is fastest—12-16 weeks to functional pottery.
See complete learning timeline →Start with In-Person—Supplement with Online
Online learning has limits. For wheel throwing and hands-on feedback, in-person classes are essential. Book a taster session and experience the difference. Use online courses to supplement your studio practice.