Pottery & Ceramics
Pottery: a short course in throwing
A beginner-level practical course introducing wheel throwing, clay preparation, basic forms, surface decoration and glazing through demonstrations and individual tuition.
Choose a date before booking
Upcoming classes
1 class
About this course
The course introduces throwing clay on the potter’s wheel, from preparing and centring clay to forming mugs, jugs and bowls. Participants will explore turning, handle-making and surface decoration with coloured slips and glazes, with a final project involving either a lidded jar or porcelain throwing. Teaching combines technique demonstrations with individual wheel work, one-to-one advice, handouts and group discussion. Visual presentations and books provide examples of modern ceramicists’ wheel-thrown work, while sketchbook activities support the recording of ideas and observations.
What you'll learn
- Centre clay on a potter’s wheel
- Throw basic functional forms including mugs, jugs and bowls
- Turn forms to create features such as a foot ring
- Pull and attach a handle to a thrown piece
- Apply slips and glazes to decorate and finish work
- Make a small lidded jar or throw using porcelain
Is this course right for you?
The course is intended for beginners and also welcomes learners with some clay experience who want to develop wheel throwing. Participants work individually with demonstrations and one-to-one guidance, while taking part in group discussions. They should be able to follow simple written and spoken instructions, understand health and safety information, and use basic measurements and calculations.
- Includes individual practical work supported by one-to-one advice
- Requires learners to follow demonstrations, handouts and safety information
- Involves simple measurements and calculations
- Includes self-review and group discussion as part of the learning process
Before you go
- A communal pottery toolbox is available for students to use.
- Learners are encouraged to keep a sketchbook for recording ideas and observations.
- The pottery wheel motors may pose a serious risk to people with pacemakers or internal defibrillators. Those affected cannot work in the ceramics studio while the wheels are in use and should contact the Ceramics Department before enrolling.