From Printmaking to Pottery: My Journey into the World of Ceramics as an Illustrator

As a printmaker and illustrator, my creative world has always revolved around the precision and planning that linocut printing (or animation) demands. Carving into linoleum to create my designs, inking them up, and pressing them onto paper has been my passion for years. However, a few months ago, I found myself craving something new—something that would take me out of my comfort zone and challenge me in a completely different way. That's when I decided to try my hand at ceramics.

First Steps in Ceramics: From Clay to Kiln

My first ceramics class was a mix of excitement and nervous energy. I had no background in working with clay (except watching some amazing videos on Instagram hehe), and the idea of molding it into something beautiful felt both thrilling and daunting. The instructor handed us chunks of clay, and I remember the sensation of holding it in my hands for the first time—soft yet firm, pliable yet demanding.

We started with hand-building techniques, learning how to pinch, coil, and slab our way into creating simple forms. The freedom to shape the clay however I wanted was liberating but also overwhelming. Unlike printmaking, where every cut is deliberate and planned, working with clay felt much more intuitive. You can try it again and again and make changes along the way. What I ended up with was not necessarily what I had in my head as a starting point. I made a few wobbly bowls and trinket dishes, each piece a testament to my early fumbling with the medium.

Then came the wheel—oh, the wheel! I had always been mesmerized by potters effortlessly spinning clay into perfect shapes on a wheel. My first attempt, however, was far from effortless. Clay flew, my hands slipped, and my bowl quickly turned into a lopsided mess. But with each attempt, I got a little better. The tactile nature of ceramics, the feel of the clay spinning beneath my hands, slowly became a rhythm I started to enjoy. I can honestly say that wheel throwing is a medium where I enjoy the process way more than the end result!

Bringing My Style into Ceramics

That was all in my first class, “Introduction To Pottery”, where we tried a little bit of everything. But after the class was over, I felt like I hadn't explored enough, didn’t scratch the surface really, and wanted to create more intentional pieces in my own style. 

I signed up for another class - “Hand Building”, and as I continued with my ceramics journey, I began to see ways to bring my own artistic style into my pottery. In my second ceramics course, I focused on making pieces that felt more like “me.” This meant incorporating the illustrative elements I love - stylized, graphic, bold lines, playful figures, and whimsical motifs.

I started to hand-paint my ceramic pieces, using underglazes to add color and designs before firing. This steps take such a long time, pretty much hand painting every piece, so I spent a lot of time in the ceramics studio.
The process was different from printmaking, but the principles were similar. I found myself thinking about composition, contrast, and texture, just as I would when planning a print. It was thrilling to see how my illustration background influenced my approach to ceramics. The result was a series of pieces that, while imperfect, felt personal and true to my artistic voice. I found that I enjoy simpler shapes with ceramics, as long as I can infuse them with my personality. I cannot express how much joy I felt seeing my first mug coming to life. Imperfect, yes, but a functional mug I can drink from. 

The Connection Between Ceramics and Illustration

The more I worked with ceramics, the more I noticed the parallels between this medium and illustration. Both are about storytelling—whether through the lines etched into a linoleum block or the shapes and colors painted onto a ceramic surface. Both require a balance of planning and spontaneity. In printmaking, each line is considered; in ceramics, the material itself often guides the final outcome.

Working with clay has made me appreciate the tactile aspect of art even more. Illustration is often flat and confined to paper or screen, but ceramics add a physical dimension to the storytelling. Holding a finished piece, feeling its weight and texture, adds a layer of interaction that illustration doesn’t usually offer. This physicality has influenced my printmaking as well, inspiring me to think more about the textures and surfaces in my prints.

The difference between these 2 mediums is also something I appreciate - the purpose of my prints is to decorate  my home, they are pieces of art hanging on the walls, and meant to inspire and bring smiles. But with ceramics I found it so fun to create pieces with a function like a bowl or a mug. Pieces I will interact with each day in my everyday life. I think it brings a little extra magic to simple tasks like making a cup of coffee. 

Encouraging Exploration

If there's one thing my journey into ceramics has taught me, it's the joy of trying something new, even when you have no idea where it will lead. As artists, it's easy to get comfortable in our chosen mediums, but stepping out and experimenting with something different can be incredibly enriching. You don’t need to be an expert or have a background in a new craft to enjoy it or find value in it (and with ceramics specifically, you don't need to know anything related to painting if you don't want to). The beauty of art is in the exploration, the play, and the unexpected discoveries.

So, if you’ve ever been curious about trying a new craft, whether it’s ceramics, weaving, or something else entirely, I encourage you to take that first step. Sign up for a class, buy a beginners’ kit, or watch a tutorial online. Embrace the learning process, the mistakes, and the mess. You never know what new aspects of your creativity you might uncover.

My Conclusion

As I continue my journey with ceramics, and no doubt I have a lot to lean, I’m excited to see how this new medium will continue to shape my artistic practice. Whether it’s through the feel of the clay in my hands, the way glaze transforms in the kiln, or the stories I can tell through ceramic forms, ceramics have opened up a whole new world for me as an illustrator. I must remind myself that it's ok for things to not be perfect, especially when you make things by hand. 

Thank you for joining me on this adventure! I hope my experience inspires you to explore new creative paths, too. If you’ve tried a new craft recently or are thinking about it, I’d love to hear about your journey. Share your thoughts in the comments below or reach out on social media (: