--- title: "The Potter’s Process: Behind-the-Scenes at GOAK Ceramics" description: "Ever wondered how clay becomes art? Get a behind-the-scenes look at the wheel throwing, sgraffito carving, and glazing techniques used at my Bangalore pottery studio." canonical: https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics/handmade-pottery-custom-commissions/the-potter-s-process last_updated: 2025-09-12 --- # The Potter’s Process: A Behind-the-Scenes Look Tribe Verified · 3 years of pottery in Indiranagar By [Gauri Oak](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics) · Ships across India; Visit Studio in Indiranagar · ₹450 per piece (estimate) Part of [Handmade Pottery & Custom Commissions](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics/handmade-pottery-custom-commissions). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics/handmade-pottery-custom-commissions/gallery) Curious about how a raw lump of clay turns into a functional mug? Come behind the scenes at my Indiranagar studio to see the wheel throwing, detailed carving, and glazing magic. ## Photos and videos - [Video: Just the simple, morning sounds of the studio. Me, the clay, and the wheel. This is where it all begins.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cc0f3e4d-d9b8-4546-8690-18b1ec544154) - [Video: This video shows me throwing large dinner plates from a beautiful rosy clay. Achieving a wide, flat form like this requires a lot of control and practice.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d10c5c09-94e4-4ae5-b527-0bd13487e44e) - [Video: Here I am trimming the base of serving bowls and attaching lugs, or handles. Trimming is just as important as throwing for creating a clean, finished piece.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/898dc102-ece0-4e4e-afff-61e047f25776) - [Video: I often make demo pots for my students that I don't intend to keep. This time, I decided to have some fun carving this bottle form just for the joy of it.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b112b32d-e046-4f3f-bb8a-ca39c06adc52) - [Video: This is a section-thrown vase with relief carvings of hummingbirds. I built the vase in two parts to achieve the height, then carved the birds and branches.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/94437293-b02c-42e4-9072-1aa546192830) - [Video: I was so excited to see how the glaze turned out on this hummingbird vase. The colors really brought the birds to life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cf17a469-ac01-4e83-b735-455e5dabcc59) - [Video: A satisfying stop-motion video of the sgraffito process on a commissioned piece. I'm scratching away the white slip to reveal the intricate design underneath.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/39323045-6832-4007-8f74-87c4ae7232b1) - [Video: Part two of the sgraffito process, this time on a luminary. Here, I'm carving out the negative space to complete the design.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dd8aaab1-a328-4d8a-a3ec-7a82ad8d843d) - [Video: The making of my agave bowls, from throwing the initial form to the intricate process of carving each facet.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9584472d-69b0-43b0-9a14-3d3c85fdc320) - [Video: A close-up of the carving process for the Lagavi collection. This geometric pattern required a very steady hand and precise tool work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/83e89efe-3e0c-42a0-b72c-59efb2c2cf86) - [Video: Exploring different textures on slab-built mugs. I use various tools and even lace to create unique, tactile surfaces on the clay.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ca399bcf-641f-4285-9baf-173f4901f52c) - [Video: In this video from a beginner's wheel course, I'm demonstrating how to attach floral sprigs to a mug, adding a delicate, decorative touch.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8edc22ce-56d3-49f9-b673-8bcdc15e5d50) - [Video: A look at the magic of glazing. This video shows the pieces before and after firing, revealing the dramatic transformation of Amaco glazes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8026e2a7-a958-4161-ae0f-168a75bf5365) - [Video: A showcase of advanced student work focusing on section-throwing. This technique allows for creating taller, more complex forms like lamps and large vases.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a5fc78a3-c517-4b92-b0ef-742cecc6917c) - [Video: A showcase of teapots made by my advanced students. The teapot is one of the most challenging forms to master, as it involves creating and assembling multiple components.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dd0010f1-0f94-4557-8197-31fbd0589270) ## About The Potter's Process Trimming is where the real shape of a piece is born. It is not just about removing excess clay; it is about refining the foot ring to give a bowl its balance and silhouette. When you see those fine coils of clay peeling off the wheel, you are watching the difference between a raw pot and a refined, ergonomic piece of stoneware. Every piece I create at the studio follows a specific rhythm, from the first time I center the clay to the final firing. Here is a glimpse into how I work: ### The Wheel and Handle Math It starts on the wheel. Whether I am throwing a standard coffee mug or a large serving bowl, balance is everything. I often obsess over the 'handle math'—the exact proportion needed to ensure a mug feels right in your hand. For taller forms, like vases or lamps, I use a section-throwing technique where I create parts separately and join them seamlessly. ### Sgraffito and Relief Carving This is the meditative part. Using the Sgraffito technique, I apply a layer of slip and then scratch away the negative space to reveal the intricate patterns underneath. It requires a steady hand and a lot of patience, whether I am carving hummingbirds into a vase or geometric designs onto a luminary. It is slow work, but it adds the tactile texture that defines my collections. ### The Transformation Glazing is where the science meets the art. My pieces go through a double firing process in the kiln, hitting 1220 degrees Celsius to reach full vitrification. Seeing a dull, glazed piece emerge from the kiln with its final, vibrant finish is always a highlight of the process. If you want to see how this works in person, I host small-group pottery workshops right here in Indiranagar. We cover everything from hand-building to wheel skills, so you can leave with your own finished, usable pottery. ## About Gauri Oak I’m Gauri, the potter behind GOAK Ceramics. This studio isn’t just my workspace—it’s where I share the carving techniques and 'handle math' that turn simple stoneware into the pieces you use every morning. [See all of Gauri Oak's services](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics) ## More from Handmade Pottery & Custom Commissions by Gauri Oak - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics/handmade-pottery-custom-commissions/featured) - [The Déesse Collection](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics/handmade-pottery-custom-commissions/the-d-esse-collection) - [The KHUMĀR Collection](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics/handmade-pottery-custom-commissions/the-khum-r-collection) - [Paw-try & Whimsical Wares](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics/handmade-pottery-custom-commissions/paw-try-whimsical-wares) - [Festive & Seasonal Collections](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics/handmade-pottery-custom-commissions/festive-seasonal-collections) - [Custom Commissions & Collaborations](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics/handmade-pottery-custom-commissions/custom-commissions-collaborations) - [Studio Life & Community](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics/handmade-pottery-custom-commissions/studio-life-community) - [Pottery Tips for Makers](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics/handmade-pottery-custom-commissions/pottery-tips-for-makers) - [Meet Gauri](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics/handmade-pottery-custom-commissions/meet-gauri) ## More services by Gauri Oak - [Pottery Courses](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics/pottery-courses) - [Pottery Workshops](https://mytribe.in/goak-ceramics/pottery-workshops) ## Similar work from other experts - [The Art of Pottery: Process and Technique](https://mytribe.in/thepottersplacebangalore/bespoke-ceramic-commissions/the-making-of-from-clay-to-creation) by The Potter's Place · Bespoke Ceramic Commissions · Visit Studio in HSR Layout; Ships across India - [Behind the Scenes: My Studio & Process](https://mytribe.in/a.ware_studio/ceramic-commissions-collections/behind-the-scenes-my-studio-process) by A Ware Studio · Ceramic Commissions & Collections · Delivers across Bengaluru; Visit studio in Indiranagar - [Behind the Scenes: My Pottery Process](https://mytribe.in/mud-effects-pottery-studio/custom-bespoke-pottery/behind-the-scenes-my-creative-process) by Mud Effects Pottery Studio · Custom & Bespoke Pottery · Pickup in Whitefield; Delivers across Bengaluru - [Behind the Scenes of My Handmade Pottery](https://mytribe.in/handmadebymalvika/handmade-pottery-ceramics/from-my-hands-to-your-home-the-process) by Malvika · Handmade Pottery & Ceramics · Ships across India - [The Making Of: From Clay to Creation](https://mytribe.in/maati_sona/handmade-ceramic-wares/the-making-of-from-clay-to-creation) by Maati Sona · Handmade Ceramic Wares · Ships across India; Visit studio in HSR Layout - [Behind the Clay: A Look Inside Our Studio](https://mytribe.in/mayaspottery/pottery-workshops/behind-the-clay-our-studio-process) by Maya's Pottery · Pottery Workshops · Workshops hosted at Studio in Jeevan Bima Nagar ## Book To book Gauri Oak, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Gauri!%20I%20was%20checking%20out%20'The%20Potter's%20Process'%20on%20your%20page%20and%20would%20love%20to%20know%20more%20about%20your%20upcoming%20workshops%20in%20Indiranagar.)