Pottery - Handbuilding Class- Beginners!

Do you like getting messy and creative? Then this course is for you!

This course is an introduction into the basic handbuilding methods used in pottery.
Each week your student will learn about a new skill used by potters and ceramicists when hand building or sculpting.

Students will work with me in a relaxed and fun environment as I demonstrate live the skills needed for each handbuilding method. By the end of the course each student will learn four ceramic handbuilding methods, and produce approximately six pieces of personalized pottery pieces they can keep or give as gifts.
During each session I make sure each student has an oportunity to question, and respond. I always give opportunity for students to share work at the end of each session, if they so wish.

Week 1- The Pinch Pot
Design a Sea Creature
This first week we will learn about the properties of clay, how and where it is sourced and the history of the "pinch pot".
Students will then watch me design and build a pinch pot, and will have a go at making one of their own. They will be introduced to simple tools and learn how make and attach a simple a clay limb or body part using slip. Once made, they will leave their sea creature to dry out, we will paint on week 2.   

Week 2- The Coil Method
Pencil Holder/Bowl
During this session students will watch me demonstrating the coil method in a video, this will introduce them to the basic techniques of coiling. They will then practice rolling coils. After construction of their holder,  they will be taught to smooth their design with water and a sponge, and use scraffito as a form of decoration. After building their coil pot and letting it air dry, the will paint their design on week 3. 

Week 3-  Slab Building
Mug/ Storage Box
This week we will learn together how to roll clay in a level way and cut it accurately to make slab designs. We will build two slab designs. After building a storage box or a slab mug  we will decorate it using textured materials that imprint such as lace and hessian. This holder will be painted after drying out in week 4.

Week 4- Sculpting
Animals
Our final week will be a fun sculpture focus where we design and make a variety of simple animals such as mice, hedgehogs and rabbits. Students will use skills and tools they have learnt over the past weeks to explore sculptural design.