Why Pottery Feels Like Drawing, But With Your Hands

Lately, I’ve been learning something completely new — pottery handbuilding. Even though I spend most of my days sketching portraits or working on custom art pieces, I found myself craving a slower, more grounding way to create. That’s how I ended up at Theraclay Studio, learning from a lovely lady named Lynette in her quiet, cosy studio.

What surprised me most is how much pottery feels like drawing… just without a pencil.

When I illustrate, I’m always paying attention to lines, curves, and tiny details. With pottery, that same attention turns into touch. Instead of gliding a pen across paper, my fingers become the tool. Every press, pinch, and movement leaves a mark — almost like a line drawn in three dimensions.

The studio itself feels like a little retreat. It’s peaceful, gentle, and gives me space to wind down after busy days. Working with clay forces me to slow down, breathe, and focus on something new. Clay responds to the softness or firmness of your hands, just the way a drawing responds to pressure on the page. Some days it behaves, some days it collapses, and some days it surprises you with shapes you never expected. It’s humbling in the best way.

Learning pottery has reminded me why I love handmade art in the first place. Whether it’s a portrait or a tiny handbuilt cup, creating something from scratch carries a quiet kind of joy — the kind that lives in imperfections and fingerprints.

I’m still very much a beginner, but exploring a different medium has opened up new ways for me to observe, feel, and create. One day, I hope to blend clay with my portrait work — maybe through sculpted faces or small ceramic pieces that carry my illustration style. It feels like a natural extension of my art, and I’m excited to see where it leads.

If you’re looking to try something new, relax, or reconnect with your hands, I’d highly recommend joining a session at theraclay. It’s been such a lovely part of my creative journey.

For now, I’m just enjoying the process — one wobbly item at a time.

pst. There's an annual studio open house and it's happening 6 - 7 December 2025! Feel free to join us. I have designed this poster :D