Hand Sculpting Pottery Course

Class Outline:Week 1: Introduction to Materials and Techniques / Creating Pinch Pot Lunch BowlsOverview: We’ll kick off by exploring the essential materials and tools for pottery, including the various types of clay, different glazes, and their effects, along with the firing process.Techniques Covered: Pinching, shaping, and finishing techniques.Project: You’ll make your first piece: a pinch pot. Learn how to shape and mould using only your hands, creating smooth edges, functional dimensions, and a personal touch in every piece.Surface Decoration: Introduction to basic surface decoration techniques, such as texture stamping, carving, and adding simple details that bring character to your bowl.Week 2: Slab Construction - Crafting a Cylindrical PotOverview: Learn slab-building techniques, using rolling and cutting methods to create even, uniform slabs, creating more complex forms.Techniques Covered: Rolling slabs, scoring and slipping for strong joins, and basic structural considerations.Project: Create a cylindrical pot using slabs. You’ll work on achieving smooth joints and even shapes, adding a handle if desired, and experimenting with surface textures for added interest.Surface Decoration: Try embossing, texturing, and sgraffito (scratching away layers for design) to add unique touches to your cylindrical pot.Week 3: Beginning Coil PotsOverview: Learn the art of coil building, an ancient technique perfect for creating larger, more intricate forms.Techniques Covered: Rolling and stacking coils, creating even walls, and shaping forms.Project: Begin creating a coil pot. You’ll experiment with the height and shape of your pot, using varied coils to create a decorative effect, and learning methods to smooth or texture the exterior.Additional Skills: Experiment with surface treatments specific to coil forms, including smoothing the exterior for a polished look or leaving coils visible for a rustic aesthetic.Class Outcomes:By the end of this course, you’ll have created at least two unique, hand-built pottery pieces and gained foundational skills in several hand-sculpting techniques. You’ll be familiar with decorating and glazing processes, giving you confidence to continue working with clay on your own. 3 weeks of tuition, all materials, pots glazed and fired. Tea, coffee and cake each week. Read more details