Beginning Wheel Throwing Class


Class is scheduled on an individual basis and is of an Private,Informal nature. 
Each Student must bring Their own towel, and a small Pail for water as well as a sponge for clean up.  Clothing should be washable since you will be getting clay on you.  You should leave your jewelry at home or take it off before you throw, if you have long hair it is best to tie it so you dont fill it with clay.  Tools may be obtained at the studio or you may purchase them elsewhere. at first you wont need anything except for a small sponge, then later on a minimul amount of tools will be required.  The clay may be obtained here at the studio or you may purchase it elsewhere,  it must be highfire and a white clay body.  This is to preserve the wedging table, and prevent contamination of porceline in the studio.  The type of Pots you will be making will depend on your individual desire.  They may be of a functional nature, or of a non-functional and decorative nature.

ORIENTATION
The first class will begin with an Orientation of the studio and the location of everything used in the production of pottery.  From there we will discuss your experiance level and your questions about Pottery as an art.  We will discuss the need to WEDGE clay and  I will demonstrate this to you as we prepare the clay needed for the first day.
Once this is accomplished, we will move on with our clay to the potters wheel where we will go over its operation and discuss BATS,  CENTERING, TRIMMING and more.  At this time I will demonstrate by throwing a pot for you.

Class Lengh may vary depending on what we are working on but will never be less than two hours (trimming) or more than 4 hours for throwing and clean up.  At least 1/2 hour must be saved for clean up of the wheel and the tools at the end of each class.
HISTORY
We will discuss Some of the famous potters,  and where they lived as we work,  and the type of potterys they  had as well as the pots they made. 







CENTERING




Learning to Center Clay on the wheel.

  This is A very important Function in the Throwing process.  One might say it is possibly the most important step of all.  Each Student Should Bring their own towel to class and a small pail if they have one for their water.  an apron if they want it to keep the clay off their clothing, and a sponge to clean up with.  Later they will need a beginning throwing kit, which may be obtained from us or from a local supplier in the area.





CONING WHILE CENTERING

 

By Coning the Clay several times as you Center, you insure correct and even homgenicy of the clay body, preparing it for use and to make sure it is of the correct consistency throughout the pot with no lumps or bumps.  After Centering, and Coning you may continue on to make a Patty Or Bisquet with the Clay.  This will lead on to the next step.

OPENING

Here you will Learn how to open the Clay properly, on Center.  By doing this as instructed you will learn to make cylinders with even sides and smooth flat tops.



PULLING




When the Clay is Opened properly and ready to PULL, you will Learn how to lift the clay with your fingers, and form of a cylinder to a height of 4 inchs at first, then on up to six inches a bit later.  This is where you Find Your Fingers and Learn Control of the Clay.

Cleaning the bottom  





After you can throw a cylinder, you will learn how to take care of the bottom of the pot to prevent cracking in the drying and fireing process that  follows.

Feel Free to E-Mail any questions to

 

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