Beginner Wheel - Wednesday evenings & Thursday mornings

Intermediate Wheel & Beyond - Tuesday evenings & Wednesday mornings

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.

Intermediate Wheel & Beyond - For intermediate to advanced students, who aspire to master the art of wheel throwing, this is the class for you. You will delve deeper into advanced throwing techniques, with one on one guidance and valuable insights to elevate your individual projects and skills to the next level.

In an intermediate wheel throwing course for pottery, you'll build on the foundational skills acquired in a beginner class, delving deeper into more complex techniques and broader concepts. Here’s an overview of what you can expect to learn:

1. Advanced Centering Techniques
   You'll refine your ability to center clay, learning to work with larger amounts of clay and various shapes, enhancing your skill for more intricate projects.

2. Creating Complex Forms
   You’ll experiment with different forms, including larger bowls, vases, and unique shapes. The focus will be on designing pieces that blend functionality with aesthetics.

3. Altered Forms and Techniques
   Learning to alter thrown pieces through techniques such as trimming, carving, or adding handles while still maintaining balance and symmetry.

4. Surface Decoration
   Dive into techniques for surface decoration, including slip application, sgraffito, and glazing techniques, to add personal flair to your pottery.

5. Firing and Finishing
   An understanding of kiln operation and various firing techniques will be introduced. You'll learn about bisque and glaze firing, as well as how to prepare your pieces for the kiln.

6. Experimentation with Clay Types and Texture
   You'll explore different clay bodies and their properties, focusing on how they affect color, texture, and overall form. Experimenting with textures through tools and additive processes will be encouraged.

7. Problem Solving
   As you create more complex forms, you'll learn how to identify and solve common issues that arise during throwing, trimming, and glazing.

8. Personal Style Development
   The course may encourage you to find and express your unique style, integrating your interests and influences into your pottery.

Overall, an intermediate course is designed to deepen your understanding of wheel throwing, improve your technical skills, and inspire creativity in your pottery practice.

*Includes 3 hours of complimentary studio time during the week

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 10kg 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.