Session 1: Throwing faster, more consistently
The goal of the Step-Up Skills class is to improve students' ability to make pottery on the wheel faster, larger and with more consistency. Students will be introduced to a number of tools and techniques used by production potters and in large scale production factories. Students will be able to keep some pieces from the class, but the focus will be on improving ability through throwing exercises, like repeatedly throwing identical forms then dissecting them. The goal is not to make students into production potters, but to help students who are looking to step up their throwing skills to the next level by teaching them a methodical approach to throwing.
Week 1 – Introduction to throwing tools, work flow, throwing exercises.
Throw 10, identical 1lb cylinders in one hour, then wire them in half for inspection.
Week 2 – Speed throwing.
Watch short documentary on English Country Potter Isaac Button.
Throw a 1lb cylinder in 90 seconds, then throw 8 more 1lb cylinders, one in 80 seconds, then 70, 60, and so on, down to 10 seconds, then go back and throw a cylinder in 90 seconds. Wire them in half and analyze the result.
Learn faster plates using the rolling pin on the wheel.
Practice handles using the extruder and by hand.
Week 3 – Throwing off the hump
Learn to center larger lumps of clay and throw sets of small pieces off the hump, also learn to throw pieces of a whole (such as a teapot) off the hump.
Week 4 – Review
Redo week 1 and 2 cylinder throwing exercises, compare them to the original results
Watch video of English potter and comedian Johnny Vegas “60 second teapot.” Make the 60 second teapot
This is a 4 week class. We will offer Advanced Throwing Session 2 Throwing Larger in the Fall.