5 Week Introduction to Wheel Throwing

In a relaxed group class setting, during five weekly sessions, you will explore how to make pots on the wheel with Henry Anderson Brown. You will leave this course knowing the basics of wheel thrown pottery, and with a couple of your own creations to treasure. Wednesday Evenings, 6:30-8:30pm 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 Centring and throwing the cylinder Getting to grips with centring clay on the wheel to be able to make an even pot, then throwing straight-up-and-down cylinders. Week 2 Trimming Taking last weeks pots which will have dried to leather hard, and cutting away the base to a nice neat finish, using the wheel like a lathe. Week 3 Bowls Throwing more open forms, leaving extra clay in the base to help support the weight of a flaring form. Week 4 Collaring in, wheel trimming Narrowing pots to give them shoulders and necks, think bottles and vases. We will finish these pots on the wheel to be ready to glaze without trimming next week. Week 5 Glazing The final stage of making pots, dipping and pouring glazes to give colourful decorative surfaces. Led by Henry Anderson Brown, a cook and artist whose paintings and drawings inform his pottery, and who holds a studio with us here at Helgate. Devised with Edmund Davies, his course will have 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.