Beginners Throwing Course
£225.00 per person
What's included?
Hosted by James, the course will run over five sessions, each lasting 2 hours. Booking is flexible, so you will not need to commit to a schedule, although ideally you should be able to commit to at least one session per week (there is only so long that clay can be held in its 'leather hard' stage to be able to further work on the piece before it dries completely).
Below is an idea of what to expect, and how the sessions are structured - but often people have their own ideas and things they would like to try (tiles, bonsai pots, pots embossed with sprig-moulded fossils, botanical imprints..) - in which case, bring your inspiration and we'll roll with it!
Session 1 - An introduction to throwing pots on the wheel and a demonstration of how to pull up a cylinder - the basic form. We then swap over for you to throw your first pieces, with guidance, support and encouragement
Session 2 - Learning about leather- hard clay. The pieces from last time will have been kept for you to return to in their leather hard (not wet, but not fully dry) state. This is the time to refine the work and bring it to life. It might involve trimming the work, taking the weight out, refining the curves - or faceting, scalloping, fluting, trimming in the foot. For those interested, we may also explore other forms of mark-making such as scraffito, underglazing, or decorating with slip. We then return to the wheel with fresh clay and hopefully throw some mug bodies which we will mount handles to next time.
Session 3 - Handles! We will take the pieces that we threw in the last session, and explore some different ways to make handles, and how to mount them, with the intention of finishing at least one mug!
Session 4 - Bottle and vase forms - by this time, hopefully we are able to pull the clay a little taller, and explore the technique of collaring (narrowing) the clay to form the necks of bottles and vases, giving rise to countless variations in form
Session 5 - Glazing! Arranged when all of the pieces have been through their first (bisque) firing - we will discuss what glazing is all about - what it is, how to do it, and of course, choosing glazes and glazing what we have made over the last four sessions
What do I need?
Please wear sensible clothes and flat shoes that you don't mind getting dusty / dirty. Please make sure that long hair is tied back and bear in mind that nails need to be a sensible length for working on the pottery wheel. You may wish to bring an apron. Please make payment for the course when you arrive at your first session.
Please email info@saltydogpotterystudio.co.uk for all course bookings.
