AN INTRODUCTION TO THROWING ON THE WHEEL

Course Dates: 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th MAY 2018.

+ 1 Open Studio (to be scheduled at one's own discretion)

Day: Saturdays

Time: 10AM - 1PM

About the Course:

This course is suitable for anyone with or without prior experience with clay. It is structured to contextualise the basis of throwing and trimming over the potter's wheel by breaking the techniques down over 4 weeks. An additional Open Studio session is provided as part of this course fees to allow students to glaze the pieces made over the duration of this course, as well as to experience independent practice in a studio setting.

Course Objectives:

This is a foundation course in throwing on the wheel. Step-by-step instructions and demonstrations will be provided. Students will experience and come to understand how prior preparatory processes - ie: wedging or well-recycled clay - will come to affect the structural integrity of the clay used by the potter. Preparatory processes have a strong bearing on creating pots on the potter's wheel. Students will also learn the fundamental forms on the wheel that must be achieved with ease - ie: coning and centering, building cylinders...etc - as well as the recommended speed of working and amount of water necessary for effective wheel-work.

Forming of various shapes, throwing off the hump and trimming of various foot types will be demonstrated as variations of the basic principles behind wheel work. The priority of this course remain focused on getting students to be able to critically evaluate and understand the importance of preparing their clay well so as to work towards throwing with ease independently in future.

Weekly Syllabus/Topics:

Week 1: Revision of Spiral wedging vs other modes of clay preparation for the wheel. How to recycle clay to retain plasticity. An introduction to centering and coning. Demonstration of outcomes from poor preparation (centering/ coning/ wedging) of clay. Simple pot making attempts and assessments from how prior processes affect the ease and difficulty of creating the pots.

Week 2: Practice on centering and coning. Step-by-step correction. Simple pot making attempts and evaluation of last week's vs current practice. An introduction to building cylinders.

Week 3: Practice on building cylinders. Step-by-step correction. An introduction to throwing off the hump and forming shapes. Create some basic shapes to be kept for trimming.

Week 4: An introduction to trimming. Practice on trimming. Final notes on independent learning and how to pursue a personal pottery practice. Wrap up.

Cost:

290SGD per student.

This fees is inclusive of materials, tools and firing charges of up to 4 pieces made over the duration of your course.

*You will not be firing any pot in the duration of this course. However, an Open Studio session is made available as part of the package of this course. This is to allow you to experience how most Studio Pottery Open Studios would function as well as to encourage independent work. You can choose to use this session to glaze pots you've made over the duration your course.

Cancellation/Modification Policies:
Fees for the course is valid for the stated dates and timings only. Participants shall be responsible for his/her attendance. SO-CA is not obliged to conduct a make-up session unless discussed and agreed upon prior to the commencement of the course.

Refunds are only applicable for cancellation of the course at least 5 days prior to the commencement of the course. No refunds will be made should the participant not be able to attend any of the class.

Addedum:

You are highly encouraged to come with cut/short nails, apron, comfortable loose clothing ie: tee-shirts and shirts (skirts are NOT recommended) and a basic tool kit if you already have one.

Handbuilding Trial Class - APR-MAY 2018

An Introduction to Throwing on the Wheel

Pottery Fundamentals: Handbuilding