Intensive throwing week: beginners and refreshers
- Course Code: VR772
- Dates: 29/07/24 - 02/08/24
- Time: 10:00 - 17:00
- Taught: Mon-Fri, Daytime
- Duration: 5 sessions
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Matt Sherratt
Course Code: VR772
Duration: 5 sessions
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This five day course is all about working on the potter’s wheel, developing skills, technique and confidence to
successfully throw clay. Firing will be discussed, and you can opt to select work to be fired for an additional glazing workshop in September.
What will we cover?
All of the basic techniques will be covered, including clay preparation and reclaim, throwing cylinders, bowls, bellied pots and controlling form through to more complicated lidded pots. Students with more experience will be encouraged to develop different approaches to working with scale and altering and assembling forms as well as developing their own projects. If you would like to glaze your work you can select pieces for biscuit firing and return for a separate glazing workshop in September (you will need to book a place on this ‘Glazing your work’ VR767,VR766).
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Centre clay on the potter’s wheel
- Make simple forms such as mugs, jugs and bowls with control
- Make and fix handles to your work
- Turn a foot-ring on a bowl and use turning tools to accentuate a form
- Demonstrate how to measure and throw a lid to fit a jar.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is open to anybody with an interest in making pots on the potter’s wheel, from the complete beginner who has never worked with clay or the potter’s wheel before, to the more experienced student who wishes to develop their skills further.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Group and individual demonstrations supported by discussions and visual presentations. Information will be
provided on modern makers, galleries and exhibitions for students who want to extend their knowledge further.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There will be a cost of £2.50 per 500g of clay before the first firing. Porcelain has an additional cost of £20:00 per bag/ £10:00per half bag.
A range of tools are available to use within the department, and Starter Tool Kits are available for purchase.
For health and safety reasons you should wear closed footwear (no sandals or flip flops) and be aware that clothes may get messy although aprons will be provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Part-time, full-time courses and workshops are available at City Lit. Advanced students will be encouraged into more adventurous projects. There will also be a glazing session at the beginning of September for those wanting to glaze further pieces of work (course codes VR767 and VR766).
Depending on your experience you may also be interested in:
VR724 Pottery on Saturdays
VR737 Pottery evening course
VR718 An Introduction to Throwing & Decoration
VR786 Ceramics: surface printing on clay
Please check the website for the full range of ceramics courses.
Matt Sherratt has studied Ceramics at Loughborough College of Art and design where he gained a First BA Hons Degree. Later on having worked at the City Lit as a technician he went on to study Ceramics at the Royal College of Art. Matt has taught at the City Lit for over twenty years and this experience has enabled him to fine tune and develop his teaching of ceramics. Matt finds great pleasure passing on making skills, techniques and creativity. He is a full-time maker and exhibits regularly in galleries and ceramic art fairs. He also produces large scale work for commercial commissions. Please take a look at www.mattsherratt.com for more info.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
