Throwing and turning – developing technique with Jo Taylor

Ref: SLW37806

About this course

Improve upon your throwing and turning techniques. Revisit mugs and jugs with more precision, throw new shapes and increase scale.

Course Description

This course is ideal as a follow-on to the Introduction to throwing and turning for beginners course, and it allows you to recap on these skills. The experienced tutor will demonstrate making techniques, focusing on more precision with familiar forms to include design decisions and quality of finish.

Progressing these skills will continue through the introduction of new wheel thrown forms to expand your repertoire, such as jugs and plates and increasing scale. You are welcome to set your own learning goals to suit your specific ambitions, which the tutor will be happy to support and encourage.

The aims are to build on existing skills and to complete a group of new works for domestic use, with expert guidance, and to enjoy the process, atmosphere and learning.

During the first evening, the tutor will introduce the course and inspire you with a presentation and demonstration. The first day will focus on recapping and improving existing skills. On the second day, you will be working on new forms and increasing scale. On the third day, all pieces will be completed before the course ends at 3pm.

Following the completion of the course, your selected work will be fired and glazed for you by the technician, if required.

Course Materials

Included

On this course, the College will supply all of the materials, including the clay, glaze, tools and equipment.

The cost of clay/glazing materials and the firing costs of work made are included, though large work in size and quantity may be charged extra.

What students need to bring

  • Two or three aprons

Additional information

To look after your back while at the wheel, a hot water bottle might be useful.

Firing and glazing options:

  1. Leave a selection of raw, finished pieces, which you wish to keep, for biscuit firing, basic glazing and re-firing by the College for collection within six months.

  2. Leave a selection of raw, finished pieces for biscuit firing at the College. You can then book a place on a Glazing Day and glaze your own work (allowing four weeks for your work to be biscuit fired). This work will be re-fired after glazing and available for collection within six months.

  3. Take away your unfired pots for firing and glazing elsewhere.

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals, and safety boots, if specified.

Timetable

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm  
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)  
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

General Information

Tutors

Jo Taylor portrait

Jo Taylor

Jo studied at Bath Spa University gaining Ceramics BA, MA & teacher training qualifications. An experienced tutor, Jo regularly teaches from beginners to MA students. A member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, her work is exhibited internationally in shows such as COLLECT at the Saatchi gallery.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

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Further study options for art craft and design short courses

Further study options

Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study. 

Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.