#pottery tools

Ahh, so sorry for taking 500yrs to answer this, @upmala !!

I did a little tool roundup a while ago with a bunch of my favourite tools, which can be found here, but that list didn't include my most-used engraving thing - the humble pin tool!

I have three (a reasonable number to have, I swear) - I just got the all-metal one & haven't used it much, but do have opinions about the other two:

This one is my favourite, as the sturdier pin-end/comfortable pin-to-handle ratio allows for a lot of control of the lines it makes. It's made by Kemper, who was closing/maybe has closed (??), but some shops might still have stock/I'm sure other companies make similar tools. I don't really use the other end at all, so it's not important (to me at least).

My other wood-handled pin tool (right) has a much longer/more flexible pin, but is a smaller gauge, so I use it for the very tiny details (eg. whiskers, delicate fur, etc). I'm just more careful about my pressure/angle with this one b/c sometimes it likes to go a bit rogue because the pin is so (comparatively) bendy.

I'll also reiterate my top texture tools from the post I linked:

That middle wooden tool is one of my absolute favourites - the point makes lovely smooth/shallow lines & the taper is great for feathers like on the sphinx wings as seen below (outermost long feathers)!

I also have a wooden tool with an even smaller point that I love (not pictured, but it sort of looks like a wooden version of a graphite-smudger).

Finally, the left-hand sgraffito tool below (also Kemper, sigh) is fantastic for detail carving, as its loop is exceptionally wee!

hi! I use a few different tools and I’m actually glad to be getting this question now because I recently got a new tool and wanted to write down my impressions

(I’m not sponsored or anything, I just like these)

my favourite tool is Kemper’s wire stylus, it’s a very fine tool and doesn’t generally leave furrows in the clay. plus the shape of it keeps me from accidentally carving too deep

I find Xiem’s ribbon tools incredibly useful for different sized marks, carving a smoother surface, or creating certain textures

and this is the new one I got about a month ago, Kemper’s small double-ball stylus. I know a couple other sgraffito artists who swear by them, but it’s not my favourite. it can carve some very fine lines but I find it often leaves furrows in the clay and I have to go over my lines a second time to clean them up 🫤 and it can slip and carve too deep as well if I accidentally use too much pressure

Creating texture with braided fibre, Africa.

Get a surfboard rib and up your platter game

@san-sebastienne thank you!

the details are done with Kemper’s wire stylus

I think my main advice would be to go in with enthusiasm & put aside any fear of screwing up -- clay can have a mind of its own & sometimes you have to make some shitty pots (or creatures) before you figure out how to listen to the clay and have it listen to you back!

This advice is particularly important if you're starting with wheel throwing, as there's a lot more going on/a lot more obscure hand positions/physics going on in the learning curve. Handbuilding/sculpting is a little less intense from the get-go, but still requires a willingness to futz around & learn the feel of the medium before you can get good.

In terms of tools, the studio should have everything you need, but if you do latch on to pottery like I did & decide to set up a home studio (or start doing your own outside-of-class work at the studio where you're taking classes, as some places do offer open studio time), I made a post a while ago going over my most-used tools.

These are specifically for sculpting, as I hadn't started making my mugs yet, but I use a lot of these for handbuilding the mugs as well...the only things I'd add for vessel-making are a full-size rolling pin (I have the most basic wooden one, purchased from a home hardware) & this scorer that makes scratching the joints of the mugs faster vs. a pin tool: