Pottery wheel throwing - two day beginners course

One Wall Studio

A two day intensive throwing course where we will cover all the basics of working on the potters wheel; from clay preparation to decoration.

Our two day weekend pottery course for beginners is aimed at those with little to no experience of working on the potters’ wheel. During the course we will cover the basics of throwing. Cover the two main shapes created on the potters wheel: bowls and cylinders. As part of the course we will also cover handling and turning techniques to take our cylinders and bowls to completed pots you can use at home. Each student will have access to an electric power wheel and will be working with buff stoneware clay. The studio also has a treadle kick-wheel available for use if any students would prefer to learn on the kick-wheel. Our aim is that every student will leave the second day with a solid understanding and foundation for the throwing process upon which they can build their pottery practice. As well as having an understanding of how to handle and turn pots. From the course students will be able to keep a selection of their work that will be glazed and fired that can be collected from the studio 3 weeks after the course at the cost of £5 per 10cm3. The cost of the course will include a vegetarian lunch on both days and morning and afternoon refreshments.

Day 1

Introduction to one another and the studio with a cup of tea or coffee 

Introductions and background

An introduction to clay prep including wedging and the first demonstration of how to throw a cylinder on the potters' wheel.

clay prep and cylinder demonstrations

Getting on the wheel and making your first pots! 

making

A break for a simple vegetarian lunch of soup, bread and cheese. Vegan options will be avaible on request.

Lunch

A demo of how to throw a bowl shape on the potters wheel followed by getting back on the wheel to make some!

bowl demonstartion and making

Day 2

A demo of how to finish and refine your bowls made on day 1, and decorated there surface. 