14-Day Hand Building Course in Ceramic Pottery

Course Overview

This 14-day course is designed to introduce participants to the art of hand building in ceramic pottery. Each day will focus on different techniques and projects, allowing students to develop their skills progressively.

Course Schedule

• Day 1: Introduction to Ceramics

  • Overview of materials and tools

  • Understanding clay types and properties

  • Basic hand building techniques

• Day 2: Preparing the Clay

  • Wedging techniques

  • Understanding moisture content

  • Creating a uniform clay body

• Day 3: Pinch Pots

  • Creating simple pinch pots

  • Exploring shapes and sizes

  • Decorating techniques for pinch pots

• Day 4: Coil Building

  • Introduction to coil building techniques

  • Creating a coil pot

  • Smoothing and finishing techniques

• Day 5: Slab Building

  • Understanding slab construction

  • Creating a simple slab box

  • Joining slabs effectively

• Day 6: Combining Techniques

  • Using pinch, coil, and slab techniques together

  • Creating a unique piece

  • Discussing design and functionality

• Day 7: Surface Decoration Techniques

  • Introduction to surface decoration

  • Using textures and stamps

  • Painting and glazing basics

• Day 8: Creating Functional Ware

  • Designing functional pottery (plates, bowls)

  • Building techniques for functional ware

  • Proper finishing techniques

• Day 9: Introduction to Glazing

  • Types of glazes and their applications

  • Preparing pieces for glazing

  • Basic glazing techniques

• Day 10: Firing Basics

  • Understanding the firing process

  • Types of kilns and firing methods

  • Safety precautions

• Day 11: Advanced Hand Building Techniques

  • Exploring advanced coil and slab techniques

  • Creating complex forms

  • Incorporating mixed media

• Day 12: Sculptural Pottery

  • Introduction to sculptural forms

  • Creating a sculptural piece

  • Discussing form and function

• Day 13: Personal Projects

  • Students design their own projects

  • Guidance from the instructor

  • Focus on personal expression

• Day 14: Finishing Touches

  • Finalizing projects

  • Applying glazes and surface decorations

  • Preparing pieces for firing

    
    

Conclusion

This 14-day hand building course aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to ceramic pottery, enabling participants to explore their creativity and develop their skills in a supportive environment.