Regular Members: Beyond the Basics: Wheel Throwing Skill Development 6-week Class (Copy)

This Wheel Throwing Beyond the Basics class is designed to allow students to build on  their wheel throwing skills and work on specific forms, troubleshoot common issues and hone in on throwing consistency.   Please read weekly class descriptions below!

This class is for you if you have basic wheel throwing experience and want to work on mastering cylinders/mugs, how to form and shape the clay, pulling even walls and truly maximizing clay in all different forms.   We will also have an intro to some new tools of the trade that may be of interest to growing artists. We will explore handle pulling, trimming techniques, throwing larger and consistently as well as troubleshooting common issues.  We will also do a deeper dive into dipping glazes and why technique matters a LOT.  Students may purchase the entire series or drop in per class.  Members get a discounted rate! Please DM Jamie for the link!

You do not need extensive experience, but you should be able to throw somewhat consistent (not perfect) forms. We will also have a refresher on the basics. 

This class will focus on different forms each week and other skills to develop you as an artist.

Week 1:  Basics Refresher/Mugs

Topics Covered: Refresher on the basics and NEW TOOLS introduction! We will start the class of with cylinders, throwing even walls and maximizing the clay.  We will refine body position at the wheel and why this matters.  We will focus on shaping different mug forms which will prepare students for shaping larger forms.

Week 2:   Trimming Mugs/Pulling & Attaching Handles/Intro to Vases

This week we will focus on trimming mugs using different trimming tools, ribs and focus on carving out foots as well as handle pulling and shaping. We will also learn how to attach handles without the struggle using slip and Potter's Water. After we attach our handles, we will hop back on the wheel for the vase demo which builds on the skills we learned last week. Students will throw a bit larger this week.  We will cover how to maximize upper body leveraging techniques so you dont have to work so hard to center larger amounts of clay.  Students will continue to practice maximizing their clay. 

Week 3: Trimming Vases/ Plates

Students will  learn how to trim their vases from the previous week using chucks.  We will do a tutorial on chucks in general and how to properly fit a vase to trim it. Students will then learn how to make plates & blates (bowl/plate combo) of different sizes for a mini set of dinnerware! Students will be challenged to keep sizes consistent and learn how to compress the clay to prevent S cracks.

Week 4: Trimming Plates/Throwing Bowls

This week students will learn how to trim their plates and dry them to prevent warping.  We will then begin making bowls.  Topics this week include how to clearly define the floor from the wall so you get beautiful, smooth walls.  How to prevent bowls from collapsing during the process and why grog in clay helps a lot coupled with a blow torch or heat gun!

Week 5: Bowl trimming & Intro to Glazing!

We will apply the trimming techniques we learned earlier and go over what to look for for sellable quality bowls!  After we are done trimming, the second half of this class will talk about dipping glazes.  Dipping techniques are somewhat overlooked and can make or break your results!  We will go over how to get beautiful, clean glaze lines without drips or imperfections.  We will also troubleshoot how to deal with imperfections prior to firing.  Students will glaze the work that has been returned to them from weeks 1-4.  Pieces from week 5 may not be fired in time, but students may come in on week 6 to finish glazing.

Optional "Open Studio" Week 6: Catch up week for any glazing that needs to be completed or pick up some of your pots that have been glaze fired.  This is not a formal class with instruction but your instructor will be present.

Depending on class flow and how many pots were made and when, your last thrown pots will may still need to be picked up within 2-3 weeks after the conclusion of the class.  The studio will contact you for pick up.

Students will be supplied with studio clay, tools and glaze for this class.   

CANCELLATION POLICY:  Cancellations prior to the first class are accepted up to 24 hours before the start of the event and refunds/rescheduling will be granted.

Cancellations prior to the first class after the 24-hour cut off will not be refunded, but a class credit may be offered. There are no refunds/credits for missed sessions during the 5 weeks but you may work with your instructor to make up any missed work.

No shows will not be refunded.