Description
Over eight weeks, Roberto will guide you through every stage of the throwing process, from your very first encounter with the clay to glazing and finishing your own handmade ceramics. His teaching combines technical precision with warmth and encouragement, allowing students to develop confidence at their own pace. Each session runs for 2.5 hours and offers a mix of demonstrations, one-to-one guidance, and time to explore your own ideas.
Please note there are no classes during the school’s half term week.
Course Programme – 8 Sessions
Week 1 – Getting Started: Centering & Throwing Basics
Roberto will introduce the foundational techniques of wheel throwing, starting with clay preparation and wedging. You’ll be guided through centering your clay, opening it, and forming your first cylinder, the starting point for many classic forms.
Week 2 – Developing Control: Mastering the Cylinder
This week focuses on perfecting your technique. With Roberto’s support, you’ll practice throwing taller and more even cylinders, building muscle memory and greater sensitivity in your hands.
Week 3 – Trimming and Refining
You’ll learn to turn your pots once they’ve firmed up to leather-hard stage. Roberto will demonstrate how to trim bases, carve foot rings, and refine forms with various tools, bringing clarity and elegance to your pieces.
Week 4 – Exploring Form
Now that you’re confident with the basics, you’ll start to apply your skills to new shapes. Roberto will support you as you begin to create bowls and experiment with altering forms on the wheel.
Week 5 – Decorative Techniques: Coloured Slips
This session introduces slip decoration,a chance to play with colour and surface. You’ll explore techniques like brushing, trailing, and sgraffito, learning how these can enhance your thrown forms.
Week 6 – Building Complexity: Handles & New Forms
With the fundamentals in place, you’ll be encouraged to push your creativity. Roberto will demonstrate adding handles (for mugs or jugs), throwing narrow necks for bottles, and making wider dishes, helping you broaden your repertoire.
Week 7 –Individual Practice
This is your opportunity to return to the techniques you’ve enjoyed most. Whether you want to throw more pieces, refine forms, or decorate, Roberto will be on hand to support and guide your individual development.
Week 8 – Glazing & Final Touches
You’ll be introduced to glazing techniques like dipping and pouring. Roberto will explain how glazes work in the kiln and how to achieve successful, expressive finishes. You’ll glaze your bisque-fired work, ready for the final firing.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a small collection of your own hand-thrown pots — each one a record of your progress and creativity.
Once your pieces are fired and ready, they can be taken home for £12 per kilo.
No previous experience is needed. Just bring your curiosity — everything else is provided.
We look forward to welcoming you into the studio!
