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Fundamentals of Ceramic Wheel Throwing
April 4 @ 10:00 am – April 25 @ 2:00 pm
Time to get behind the wheel!
If you love the idea of taking on a new and exciting medium, and don’t mind getting a little muddy, then this is the course for you. Over four weeks, you’ll learn the techniques and skills needed to become a capable thrower. You’ll learn the basics of how to throw simple shapes such as cylinders (cups and mugs), bowls, and vases. You’ll learn how to trim and shape your pots (extremely satisfying) and then learn how to glaze and decorate your work using our selection of underglazes and glazes. While throwing clay requires attention and practice, at the end of this workshop you’ll take home some ceramic pieces to be proud of.
Who Should Enroll:
This course is ideal for hobbyists, DIY enthusiasts, and ceramics dabblers. Although this course is designed for beginners, this course can be adapted to any ceramics skill level. Your instructor Loren will meet you where you’re at.
Course Goals:
- Understand the fundamentals of wheel throwing, decorating, and glazing
- Experiment and gain an understanding of how to create aesthetically pleasing pottery with function in mind
- Complete several ceramic projects from start to finish
Class Schedule
Every Thursday in April, we’ll meet from 10 am-2 pm to receive instruction, talk about homework and in-progress pieces, and plan our projects. Loren, your instructor, will demonstrate throwing techniques, share workflow ideas and strategies, answer questions, and give one-on-one instruction. Students will work independently to complete various projects to further their wheel-throwing knowledge between classes.
The price of this class includes a 1-month membership to Make Santa Fe which enables students to complete homework and projects on their own time in the ceramics studio. (Does not apply to current members)
Week One: Centering and Cylinders
- Course Overview and Plan
- Refresher on wedging and centering
- Demonstration of throwing cylinders (the foundation for all forms on the wheel aside from plates)
- Students throw cylinders
- Decoration demo with handle making, carving/sgraffito, underglaze, and pressing found materials into the clay
Homework: Experiment with decorating and adding handles to cylinders thrown during class (as many as desired). Throw an additional 5 cylinders, and keep leather-hard for trimming.
Week Two: Trimming and Handles
- Trimming demo
- Students trim cylinders
- Bowl/Vase demo
- Students throw bowls/vases
Homework: Throw and trim a set of 4 bowls or vases. Use the same amount of clay for each. Decorate trimmed cylinders (cups or mugs) with handles, carving/sgraffito, underglaze, or pressing found materials into the clay.
Week Three: Glazing
- Glazing demo (dipping, brushing, applicator bottle)
- Hands-on glazing
Homework: Glaze bisqued work
Week Four: Finishing Touches
- Completing pieces
- Final projects showcase and review
- Course wrapup and discussion on further resources and next steps
Materials Included:
- Clay
- Studio tools including ribs, needle tools, fettling knives, and trimming tools
- Glazes, underglazes, and brushes
- Make Santa Fe membership for April (does not apply to current members)
Not included:
- Specialty ceramic tools including texture tools (we will be using found objects)
- Additional clay
