Pottery - Mixed Ability

This course is designed for both complete beginners and those with experience of working in clay who wish to develop their pottery skills further. Through weekly demonstrations and individual tuition you will learn a range of ceramic techniques and design and make a variety of objects in clay of your choice both functional and sculptural.

On this course you will learn the following –- Health and safety in the pottery studio.- How to use appropriate tools to create work and get used to specific terminology.- Clay preparation (wedging), different types of clay, their properties and limitations when working. Earthenware, stoneware and crank clay used.- Firing processes using electric kilns.- Hand building techniques – coiling, slab building, pinch pots, modelling and mould work. - Throwing – use the Potters wheel to make a variety of shapes such as cylinders and bowls. Learn how to centre clay, pulling up and shaping, turning and refining. How to pull a handle. - Surface decoration – high/low relief, texturing, incising. Using tools and found objects to create texture.- Use of coloured slips. Use techniques such as sgraffito, layering, paper resist and inlay.- Glaze application. The studio has a wide range of glazes both dipping and brush on to experiment with. We also have a range of underglaze colours and oxides.- Technical and practical information can be given about setting up a pottery studio.- Learners will reflect on own work and identify strengths and areas for development.

Please note there are no classes during half term.