You could go on forever learning about clay and pottery – and the endless tools, types and techniques that can be achieved.

Stronger, hardier clays and increasingly vibrant, exceptional glazes are constantly being created too, it’s never-ending.

A simple place to start for a solid foundation on pottery and ceramics is the four types of clay.

What are the four types of clay?

The four most commonly accepted types of clay are: earthenware, stoneware, porcelain and ball clay.

Earthenware – for decorative indoor ceramics, and glazes often show up vibrantly on earthenware compared to other types of clay

Stoneware – strong and often used for homeware or outdoor pieces.

Porcelain – strong and shrinks by 20% in the kiln, far more than any other type of clay, so often used for delicate sculptures and art

Ball clay – super strong and hardy, and often used in commercial pottery

What is the most common type of pottery?

Earthenware is the most common type of clay for the stunning, bright glazes you can use with it. I haven’t mentioned terracotta clay yet and that’s because terracotta is a type of earthenware – it’s loved and has a long history, having been a popular choice among potters for centuries.

What type of clay do I use?

At the moment, primarily porcelain and stoneware because I like the finish and hardiness of these two clays. I usually use smooth clays but occasionally I get stuck into grogged stoneware, which gives an unusual gritty finish as through someone has kneaded sand into the clay.

If you would like to see some of my work, please take a look at my Etsy shop.