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"Altered States"
A course in throwing on the potter's wheel for experienced throwers.
This is a wheel throwing class for intermediate/advanced students. The theme of this class is "Altered States". We will explore means of altering thrown forms through such devices as paddling, cutting and throwing bottomless (the pot, not you!). This course will be concerned primarily with form. Students' work should be finished simply, in a single glaze or salt glazed in order to best assess the success of each form. Students are encouraged to participate in a mug exchange in the final class. A sense of exploration, fun, enjoyment and humor are absolutely essential and mandatory for this course!
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
Both of these books are in the Callanwolde pottery library. Any other books you may already have in your library will be helpful, as well. Other great sources can be found in the Callanwolde Pottery reading library, or check your local public library. Don't discount resources form other disciplines. I find books on basketry and woodworking particularly inspiring. 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 very useful information about form.
Materials List:
Besides your preference of clay and your favorite tools, you will want to consider having the following additional tools with you.
- Sur-Form hand rasp (from the hardware store).
- Fine-gauge wire, twisted wire, small, fine springs.
- Paddles - Almost anything will do (see "Paddling section, week 4, below). We'll discuss it.
- Padded bat (An amazingly useful tool! We will make them.).
- Sheets of foam rubber (at least 12"x12"x1"-2" thick, from the fabric store).
- Sketchbook (Don't leave home without one!
Week 1
- Introductions: Who, experience, history, course expectations & personal goals.
- Discussion of course goals.
- The Rule!: Good forms (always!). When altering, start with a good form. Altered bad forms are still bad forms!
- When to alter -- wet vs. leather.
- Announcement of mug exchange.
- Recommended reading (see above).
- Throwing exersizes - TBA!
- Other wet work.
- Studio clean up.
For next week: Do research on classical pottery form. Look at form, function and proportion. Draw examples that interest you. Robin Hopper's Functional Pottery is an excellent source for this.
Week 2
Slicing, Poking, Nudging...
- Discussion & Demos.
- Throwing forms and altering wet.
- Prep for next week
- Wet work/fabrication.
- Studio clean up.
For next week: Throw three 2 pound bowls. Store in plastic for next week.
Week 3
Cutting, Faceting, Rasping...
- Discussion & Demos.
- Fabricating a soft triming bat.
- Altering in the soft leather-hard state.
- Prep for next week
- Wet work/fabrication.
- Studio clean up.
For next week: Throw 2-3 bellied bottle forms. Store in plastic for next week. Bring a paddle (see notes, next week).
Week 4
Paddling...
- Discussion & Demos.
- Beating the form into submission.
- Prep for next week
- Wet work/fabrication.
- Studio clean up.
For next week: Throw two 2-3 pound simple bottomless cylinders - one with a plain bead lip, one with a lid gallery (both approximately equally tall as wide). Roll or cut enough 1/4" slab to cover bottoms and tops of these pots (with a bit to spare). Store all together in plastic for next week.
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Types of paddles can include:
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Week 5
The Joys of Going Bottomless!
- Demos
- Throwing bottomless forms for freedom of alteration.
- Lids for non-round pots.
- Prep for next week.
- Wet work/fabrication.
- Studio clean up.
For next week: Throw two 1 pound bottomless cylinders, two 2-3 pound cylinders, and enough 1/4" slab for bottoms. Store in plastic for next week.
Questions?Week 6
Snip & Tuck...
- Demos
- Cutting and reforming.
- Using darts.
- Prep for next week.
- Wet work/fabrication.
- Studio clean up.
For next week: Prep any thrown forms you need for individual projects next week.
Questions?Week 7
- Demos
- Individual projects - how altered can you get?
(Combine at least two of the techniques from this class) - Allowing yourself to have "play" time.
- Prep for next week.
- Wet work/fabrication.
- Studio clean up.
For next week: Prep any thrown forms you need for individual projects next week.
Questions?Week 8
- Demos
- Individual projects.
(Combine at least two of the techniques from this class and surface decoration!) - Prep for next week.
- Wet work/fabrication.
- Studio clean up.
For next week: Prep any throwing you want to set up for next week, which is the final class for wet work. Get dry pots to the bisque kiln for glazing next week.
Questions?Week 9
- Final wet work and glazing.
- Wet work/fabrication.
- Glazing one's work.
- Coming full circle - Where do you go now???
- Reminder to finish a mug for next week's mug exchange!
- Check studio calendar for deadline for new projects (wet work)!
Questions?
Week 10
Commencement!
- Course evaluation.
- Mug exchange!
- Clay Studio Party! (to include raku firing).
- Check studio calendar for deadline for personal shelf space clean off!
Questions?
