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Beginner Daytime Course

4 Week Throwing Course

Mondays 10.30am – 1.30pm

Your Instructors:

Finola Thomas
Finola is the owner of Fishponds Pottery – a gifted communicator and teacher with an MA in Design and Visual Research from Brighton University. She has been teaching throwing now for over 10 years and this course has been honed and refined over her career. It is designed to give you lots of support and time on the wheel so that by the end you feel confident in your ability and can throw independently.

The Course:

Our four week course designed for complete beginners aims to teach you all the wheel throwing basics – wedging, centring, throwing simple shapes and trimming are all covered in that time. Our groups are a maximum of 6 people, meaning you will receive plenty of support and guidance from us.

Sessions are 3 hours long, running from 10.30am – 1.30pm, with 15 minutes at the end reserved for clean up.

A fifth session will be arranged around a month after your course for you to glaze your pieces too. This, as well as all materials and firing costs are included in the course price.

There is an opportunity for extra practice on Tuesdays from 10am-3pm at no additional cost!*

Throwing is a craft that takes practice, patience, and persistence. We believe everyone can attain this skill, our workshops are designed to be a relaxed start on your ceramic journey.

Please contact us with any queries, We look forward to having you!

*subject to availability

Book your place now

Course Schedule

Week 1

Gentle introduction to throwing on the pottery wheel, the first session is all about learning to prepare clay for throwing, centre your clay on the wheel and throw basic shapes.

  • Introduction to Fishponds Pottery and the course
  • Introduction to tools and machinery
  • Learning about clay
  • Wedging/preparations
  • Centring
  • Studio Cleanliness induction

Week 2

The most effective way to improve your throwing is through practice and persistence.
Everyone’s ability and learning speed is unique, we have created an environment that lets you learn at your own pace; getting your hands used to working with tools and clay in a rhythm that suits.

  • Centring
  • Basic throwing techniques
  • One to one tuition
  • Exploration and self-directed throwing
  • Group discussion
  • Tidy space

Week 3

Learning how to throw consistently is a skill that requires time and patience. Session three will push your abilities a little further, placing emphasis on finesse and making the most of the clay you have. If your pots are ready, we will also begin to cover “trimming”, or “turning” your pottery.

  • Throwing warm up
  • Refining form
  • Turning and finishing your pots
  • Group Discussion
  • Tidy up

Week 4

In this final session we will focus on finishing your work and reflecting on your progress throughout the course.

  • Turning and finishing your pots
  • Making and adding handles
  • Choosing items for firing
  • Advice to your pottery future!