Introduction to Pottery Techniques
Our five-week evening beginner’s course Introduction to Pottery Techniques is run on Thursday evenings between 7pm–9pm for 5 weeks.
The courses will run on the following dates:
Course 224: 16th April 2020 – 14th May, Thursday nights from 7:00–9:00pm (Fully booked)
Course 234: 21st May 2020 – 18th June, Thursday nights from 7:00–9:00pm (Book now)
Price £199
Price is inclusive of all material, glazing and firing.
We have places for maximum 10 adults on each course and two members of staff instructing, to ensure that each person has sufficient time and attention. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time (7pm) to prepare.
During the course you will be given guidance in relation to different projects. This will include detailed teaching in relation to how to make pinched, coiled and slab built forms, and how to use these techniques to make a vase. Demonstrations will be given on how to use a potter’s wheel and you will be able to use the wheel to make your own bowl, under guidance as required. You will be shown surface decoration and painting/glazing techniques before applying them to the forms you have created. Your finished pieces will be fired in our kiln for you to collect and take home after the course has finished.
Beginner’s course outline
Week 1 – Pinch pots and coil building
Health and safety information, course overview and house rules. Introduction to clay and ceramics: what is clay and where does it come from? Students will be shown how to pinch and coil clay and then use these techniques to make a small vessel.
Week 2 – Introduction to the wheel and slab building
Demonstration on centering and throwing clay on the potter’s wheel. Students will design and start their main project – a vase or vessel up to 25x25cm in size.
Week 3 – Throwing and project work
Centering and throwing a bowl on the potter’s wheel. Hand-building the main project vase.
Week 4 – Finishing project work; decorating and trimming
Finishing all project work including trimming the wheel thrown pots, using coloured slips to decorate your finished work, experimenting with mark making and texture. We will fire the best 3 pieces from what you made. If you want to fire more you can at an extra surcharge.
Week 5 - Glazing
Your pieces now have been fired and there will be an introduction to glazes.
Glazing final pieces including : under glazes, glazes, crystal glazes and some oxides
Cancellation Policy
A full refund can only be given within 14 days from the initial date of booking.
You can reschedule your class provided we are given at least 7 days notice before the class
Regrettably, we are unable to change any bookings if LESS than 7 days notice is given.