There are a few different apps that can help you make pottery or connect you with pottery classes and resources. Some popular options include Wheel Throwing, Pottery Studio, and Mudbox. These apps provide tutorials, tips, and tools to guide you through sculpting and throwing pottery digitally. While they can’t replace the tactile experience of working with real clay, they can be a fun way to get familiar with pottery techniques if you don’t have access to a studio or wheel.
Wheel Throwing App
One of the most popular pottery apps is simply called Wheel Throwing. This app mimics the experience of working on a pottery wheel by letting you use touch gestures to shape and mold clay. Just like on a real wheel, you can raise and lower the speed as you center and shape the clay. The app offers a variety of different tools including your fingers, ribs, wire loop tools, wooden modeling tools, sponges, and more.
There are several different types of projects you can take on in the Wheel Throwing app ranging from simple bowls and vases to more complex sculptural pieces. The app includes video tutorials on techniques like centering, opening, raising walls, trimming, and glazing. There are also step-by-step project tutorials that take you through how to throw specific pieces.
The realistic physics of the virtual clay make working in the Wheel Throwing app very similar to working with real clay on a wheel. As you add water and shape the clay, it moves and deforms just as it would in real life. This helps you practice your coordination and muscle memory so your skills can translate more easily to real pottery.
In addition to the pottery wheel, the app also includes a worktable area where you can engage in handbuilding techniques like coiling and sculpting. There are also tools for decorating and glazing your pieces after they are thrown.
The Wheel Throwing app offers a great way to gain pottery skills and understand the fundamentals of working on the wheel. The versatility of the tools and tutorials make it well-suited for potters of all skill levels. The realistic clay physics help bridge the gap between digital and real world pottery.
Key Features
– Realistic pottery wheel with variable speed
– Clay simulation that mimics real world physics
– Variety of pottery tools including fingers, ribs, loop, sponge, knife
– Tutorials for centering, opening, raising walls, trimming, glazing
– Step-by-step project tutorials
– Handbuilding tools for coiling, sculpting
– Decorating and glazing area for finishing pieces
– Suited for all skill levels from beginners to advanced
Pottery Studio App
Another popular digital pottery app is Pottery Studio. This app offers a full pottery workshop experience in the palm of your hand. Like the Wheel Throwing app, Pottery Studio lets you work at a virtual pottery wheel using familiar tools and techniques. But it also expands beyond the wheel to provide a complete pottery studio.
The virtual pottery wheel is very realistic with high quality clay physics and the ability to adjust speed for centering and shaping. The variety of tools allow you to engage in any pottery technique from basic centering to advanced decorative effects.
Beyond the wheel, Pottery Studio lets you build pottery from scratch using coils. You can roll and shape coils then blend them together to make unique handbuilt vessels. The app provides guidance on joining and smoothing coils for a seamless look.
The workspace also includes a pottery kiln where you can load your finished pieces for firing. You can adjust the temperature and length of firing to achieve different looks from glossy finishes to cracked effects.
There is also a glazing station with a wide array of preset glaze colors. You can apply different colors and effects to your bisque fired pottery using a range of brushes and tools. The glaze physics mimic the viscosity and dripping of real glazes.
Some other handy features of Pottery Studio include a template library, DECAL mode for applying prints and images, and reverse video mode for seeing inside your sculptures. There are also thousands of sample pieces available to view for inspiration.
With so many features beyond just the wheel throwing, Pottery Studio provides a very comprehensive digital pottery experience. The expansive tools make it great for more advanced potters looking to expand their skills.
Key Features
– Realistic virtual pottery wheel
– Coiling and handbuilding tools
– Kiln for firing and adjusting temperature
– Glazing station with realistic glaze physics
– Template library and gallery for inspiration
– Advanced features like DECAL mode and reverse video
– Comprehensive suite of pottery tools and workspace
– Suited for intermediate and advanced potters
Mudbox App
For those interested in pottery sculpting and design, Mudbox is a top app choice. Mudbox is a digital sculpting and modeling app used widely in arts, film, animation, and gaming. But it can also be great for sculptural style pottery.
Mudbox uses a node-based system that lets you easily shape and sculpt clay just as you would with real clay. You build up shapes by adding and shaping clay nodes. The nodes make it simple to go back and adjust designs as you work.
There are a range of specialized sculpting tools for effects like sculpting, smoothing, grabbing, pulling, and painting textures. You have total control and flexibility to create any sculptural or decorative form.
Once you’ve sculpted your model, you can subdivide it to dramatically increase the detail. This allows you to start with simple base shapes, then refine things like facial details, openings, and decorative textures.
The app includes a library of materials you can apply including different types of clay bodies. There are also effects like cracks and distortion you can add for unique designs. And you can import alpha images to imprint custom textures from leaves, bark, fabrics, and more.
Mudbox requires more learning than basic pottery apps, but offers professional grade digital sculpting capabilities. The flexibility and details achievable make it perfect for pottery artists who want to create elaborate sculptural works.
Key Features
– Powerful digital sculpting tools
– Node-based sculpting system
– Specialized sculpting brushes for effects
– Subdivision modeling for adding detail
– Material library including clay types
– Special effects like cracks and distortions
– Import custom alphas for texture imprints
– Professional grade sculpting capabilities
– Suited for elaborate sculptural pottery
Conclusion
There are a variety of helpful apps that provide an accessible entrypoint into different pottery techniques. Apps like Wheel Throwing offer guided learning of fundamental wheel throwing skills. Pottery Studio expands the experience with more tools to simulate a complete pottery workshop. And advanced sculpting apps like Mudbox open up endless possibilities for elaborate sculptural designs.
Choosing the right pottery app depends on your skill level and interests. Beginners benefit most from the straightforward guidance of basic wheel throwing apps. Intermediate potters gain more from the expanded studios with handbuilding and glazing. And professional ceramic sculptors can pursue limitless creativity with digital sculpting tools.
Whichever option you choose, embracing digital tools is a great way to learn new techniques and expand your pottery knowledge. The skills gained translate and supplement traditional hands-on work. So digital apps serve as fun new creative avenues for potters of all levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free pottery app?
Some of the best free pottery apps include Potter’s Wheel, Let’s Pottery, and Clay Creations Pottery Wheel. These apps provide the basic wheel throwing experience for free with limited tools and projects. For more advanced free options, SculptGL and Blender provide free digital sculpting tools.
What app is used by professional potters?
Professional potters use a range of digital apps and tools. Popular options include Oculus Medium for VR sculpting, Nomad Sculpt for organic modeling, ZBrush for high detail models, Mudbox for versatile sculpting, and Blender for open-source 3D creation.
Can you make real pottery from an app?
The pottery created in apps is digital only. However, some apps allow you to 3D print your designs or output them as files for use with 3D printers or CNC mills. This allows you to convert your digital pottery into physical finished pieces. Apps focused on 3D modeling and sculpting like Blender facilitate this process.
What basic skills do you need for pottery?
Some core skills needed for pottery include:
– Centering clay on the wheel
– Opening up walled forms
– Raising uniform walls and smoothing seams
– Creating bases and foot rings
– Shaping techniques like pulling and paddling
– Trimming excess clay from bases
– Glazing and decorating basics
– Understanding firing temperatures and procedures
Apps like Wheel Throwing teach these fundamental skills through guided tutorials. Mastering the basics allows you to expand into more advanced throwing and handbuilding techniques.
What are the different types of pottery making techniques?
Some main pottery techniques include:
– Wheel throwing – Shaping clay on a rotating pottery wheel
– Handbuilding – Using techniques like coiling, pinching, slab building
– Molding – Pressing clay into pre-shaped molds
– Jiggering – Using rotating molds and templates for uniform pieces
– Extruding – Forcing clay through a die to create long uniform shapes
– Jollying – Shaping clay on a stick or broom handle
– Raku – A style of low-fire glazing and firing
Apps provide experience with wheel throwing, handbuilding, molding, and extruding. But the tactile nature of techniques like jiggering and jolleying are difficult to simulate digitally.
What are the different stages of making pottery?
The typical stages of pottery production include:
1. Preparing the Clay – Wedging or kneading to remove air bubbles
2. Forming – Using techniques like wheel throwing, handbuilding, or molding
3. Trimming and Refining – Smoothing seams and sharpening foot rings
4. Drying – Allowing moisture to evaporate before firing
5. Bisque Firing – The first lower temperature firing to harden clay
6. Glazing – Adding colorful glass-like coatings
7. Glaze Firing – The higher temperature firing that melts and sets glazes
8. Post-Processing – Additional steps like sanding or staining
Apps like Pottery Studio simulate most of these steps. But the physical drying, firing, and post-processing can only be mimicked digitally.
What tools do you need for pottery?
Basic pottery tools include:
– Pottery wheel
– Kiln
– Worktable
– Cutting wires
– Wooden ribs and modeling tools
– Metal loop and ribbon tools
– Needle tool
– Sponges
– Bats – Ceramic discs to hold pottery
– Slab roller
– Glaze brushes
– Trimming tools – Bowl scrapers, double ended ribbon knife, etc.
Apps provide virtual replicas of tools like the wheel, kiln, worktable, loop tools, ribs, sponges, and brushes.
What are the safety precautions for pottery?
Key safety tips include:
– Use clay and glazes formulated for high temperatures
– Ventilate studios to avoid dust and fume buildup
– Use kiln wash on kiln shelves to prevent sticking
– Allow kilns to cool fully before removing fired pieces
– Wear a P95 respirator when working with dry clay or glazes
– Use pug mills cautiously to avoid catching fingers or clothing
– Use caution when wedging large amounts of clay
– Prevent clay dust buildup on floors that can lead to slipping
– Practice ergonomic motions at the wheel to avoid strain
Apps provide a safer way to learn techniques before working with real materials. But always follow safety guidelines when working in real studios with clay, glazes, and kilns.