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"Pottery on the Wheel"
An introductory course to throwing on the Potter's
Wheel.
This course is an introduction to using the potter's wheel for beginning
and intermediate students. Basic clay skills (wedging and basic clay handling)
are assumed. However, any remedial work will be provided as needed. The
emphasis will be on developing the basic throwing skills of centering,
opening, and raising. The foundation forms of cylinder and bowl will be
explored as basis to all other thrown forms. While the emphasis will be
placed on producing good form, students will also explore the other aspects
of producing the pot - design, decoration, glazing and firing options.
More advanced students may choose to review and fine tune basic throwing skills or they may work on individual projects under direction of the instructor. Works in progress and finished pieces will be used for discussion and critique.
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center - Pottery
Instructor: Bill Buckner
Recommended reading:
Clary Illian, A Potter's Workbook
Robin Hopper, Functional Pottery: Form and Aesthetic in Pots of Purpose
Any other books you may already have in your library will be helpful, as well. Otherwise, you can use the Callanwolde Pottery reading library (see Glenn Dair), or check your local public library. If you are interested in purchasing these texts, I like <buy.com> on the web. The following links will allow you to check <buy.com> for A Potter's Workbook and Functional Pottery. Both books are relatively inexpensive, but contain a wealth of information about form.
Week 1
- Introductions: Who, experience, history, course expectations & personal goals.
- Discussion of course goals.
- Preparing the clay.
- Wheel speed - not too fast! Full throtle on an electric wheel is too much!
- Coning to center.
- Technique demonstrations?
- Wet work - practicing centering.
- Studio clean up.
If your clay is looking like this, it is not quite centered, yet!
Week 2
Opening
- Demos: Centering and opening.
- Wet work - practicing opening.
- Studio clean up.
Week 3
Raising
- Demo: Centering, opening, raising.
- Wet work - practicing raising.
- Studio clean up.
Week 4
The Cylinder
- Raising the exterior - the cylinder.
- Wet work - raising cylinders.
- Studio clean-up.
Week 5
The Bowl
- Raising the interior - the bowl.
- Wet work - raising bowls.
- Studio clean-up.
Week 6
Firing effects, basic glazing and other decorative techniques
- Types of firings offered at Callanwolde.
- Introduction to glazes and glazing techniques.
- Other decorative techniques.
- Wet work - Throw three (3) bowls.
- Studio clean-up.
For next week: Throw three (3) bowls. Cover in plastic for trimming next week.
Questions?Week 7
- To trim or not to trim? - that is the question!
- Trimming techniques.
- When to trim - economy of effort.
- Setup, preparation and trimming considerations.
- Wet work.
- Studio clean-up.
For next week: Throw three (3) mug-size cylinders . Cover in plastic for attachments next week.
Week 8
- Simple attachments (e.g. handles)
- Individual final projects.
- Choose a form based on either a cylinder or a bowl - make a series of four. Plan to present these on Week 10 for discussion and critique.
- Wet work/fabrication.
- Studio clean-up.
"The cup is one of our most intimate
objects. Most of us kiss one every morning!"
-Linda Christianson
Week 9
- Work on individual final projects.
- Demos by request.
- Wet work/fabrication.
- Studio clean-up.
- Check studio calendar for deadline for beginning new projects (wet work) .
Questions?
Week 10
Commencement!
- Discussion and critique of finished work (bring your pieces - finished or in progress - to class tonight).
- Course evaluation.
- Clay Studio Party! (to include raku firing).
- Check studio calendar for personal shelf space clean-off deadline!
Questions?
