This course is ideal for mixed abilities; for beginners, as a follow-on to the basic throwing and turning course or for improvers wishing to enhance their skills. The tutor will demonstrate various techniques both on the potter’s wheel and building by hand: you can choose to work with which method suits you best and work to your own personal goals.
The making process will cover design decisions and construction focusing on areas such as form, handles, functionality and scale. You will be able to experiment with a number of techniques using coloured slips to decorate your work and it will be fired and clear glazed for you by the pottery technician at the College, to collect after the course if you wish.
The learning aim is to progress your skills and complete a group of functional or decorative works for domestic use, with expert guidance. The other aim is to enjoy the process, atmosphere and learning.
During the first evening the group will meet and the tutor will introduce the course and inspire you with a presentation; the first day will focus on design and construction; the second on handles and finishing techniques, moving on to decorative techniques; the third on completing decoration before finishing at 3pm.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)
Included
- The cost of clay, decorating slip and clear glaze, and firing costs of work made – large work in size and quantity may be charged extra
What students need to bring
- An apron (or several)
- Plastic card - an out of date credit card/loyalty card/gift card
- Optional: sketchbook, ideas/ reference material, old towel
Additional information
Firing and glazing options:
1. Leave any raw, finished pieces that you wish to keep, for biscuit firing, basic glazing and re-firing by the College, for collection within six months.
2. This work will be re-fired after glazing and available for collection within six months.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals, and safety boots, if specified.