Week Long Intensive Wheel Throwing Course taught by Salem Wahab

Beginner Wheel

Introduction to Tools and Materials
You'll learn about the essential tools used in pottery, including the potter's wheel, clay types, trimming tools, sponges, and more.

1. Basic Wheel Techniques

   • Centering Clay: The crucial first step to creating any form on the wheel, which involves working the clay into a balanced and centered shape.

   • Throwing Forms: Techniques to create basic forms such as bowls and cylinders. You'll practice how to use your hands and the wheel to shape the clay.

2. Shaping and Forming
   Understanding how to pull and shape the clay as it spins to create different forms and sizes. You’ll get familiar with adjusting pressure and hand positions.

3. Trimming
   Once your pieces are partially dried, you’ll learn trimming techniques to refine the shape and create foot rings on your pottery.

4. Glazing and Finishing
   An introduction to glazing techniques, where you’ll explore how to apply glaze to your finished pieces and understand firing processes.

5. Basic Troubleshooting
   Identifying common throwing mistakes, such as wobbly forms or uneven thickness, and learning how to correct them.

6. Creativity and Design
   Encouragement to express creativity and personal style while experimenting with different shapes and glazes.

There will be an emphasis on hands-on practice, allowing you to develop your skills through experimentation and guidance from your instructor. By the end of the class, you should have a good foundation in wheel throwing and have made several pieces to take home.

Inclusions: Price includes $75 materials fee to cover the cost of clay, glaze and firing services. In order to reduce our studio’s environmental impact, all courses include 15kg of reclaimed clay, firing and glazing. Adult students must have their own tools. Starter tool kits can be purchased on the first day of class at the studio for $25/kit (plus GST). If you use more than 10kg of clay ( by utilising studio time) you can purchase clay from the studio and pay for firing and glazing at studio rates.