Helgate
10 Week Introductory Course
10 Week Introductory Course
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In a relaxed group class setting, during ten weekly sessions, potter Edmund Davies will introduce you to the core skills of pottery, and give you each an introduction to wheel throwing.
You will leave this course feeling confident in the fundamentals of hand built pottery, and with a couple of your own creations to treasure.
Tuesday Evenings, 6:30-9:00pm
To join please choose your preferred starting date from the options listed above, and once you have paid we will be in touch with more details.
| Week 1 | Introduction to clay preparation, a discussion on its material properties and clay types, followed by pinch pots; small handbuilt freeform shapes, also adding slip, sgraffito and decorative texture |
| Week 2 |
Working into 'leather-hard' clay, and refining forms, followed by coil building larger pots. A cross cultural look at types of hand building used throughout the world, with different methods used for different contexts and forms |
| Week 3 | An introduction to throwing on the wheel, starting with cylinders |
| Week 4 |
Turning the bases of the thrown pots (trimming excess clay from the bases using the wheel as a lathe) |
| Week 5 | Continuing with throwing, moving on to bowl forms |
| Week 6 |
an introduction to slab building using soft slabs of clay to make cylindrical forms and freeform slab plates |
| Week 7 | Agate ware. Decoration which is in the clay itself, using different coloured clays layering marbling, and making more complex patterns |
| Week 8 | A week to work on whatever from the course has been of most interest |
| Week 9 | A week to finish all the pots ready for firing |
| Week OFF | We skip a week to fire all your pots so they’re ready to glaze next week |
| Week 10 | Glazing and overglaze oxide decoration |
Led by Edmund Davies, he is a studio potter who has spent the past 5 years teaching at various studios across London.
With a background in architecture, his work takes inspiration from modernist forms and utilitarian shapes, whilst paying homage to the artistic values of 20th century studio pottery.
In his classes there will be a light-hearted but focused atmosphere, emphasizing the importance in learning the fundamental skills of pottery, and the greater importance of challenging and experimenting with its traditions.
