BEGINNER THROWING COURSE | 5 WEEK FOUNDATION | £275

This 5-week wheel throwing course provides a structured introduction to the fundamentals of working on the potter's wheel.

Designed for beginners and those looking to build their skills, you’ll learn the core techniques of throwing, trimming, surface decoration, and glazing while developing confidence, control, and a strong foundation in wheel-thrown ceramics.

Led by Honeybourne Pottery co-founder Alan, each weekly session combines demonstrations, guided practice, and individual tuition in our relaxed and supportive studio. With class sizes limited to 10 students, you’ll receive plenty of personalised guidance as your skills develop week by week.

Suitable for ages 16+, this course is ideal for anyone looking to move beyond a one-off workshop and establish a strong foundation in wheel throwing.

ABOUT THE COURSE

  • Week 1 – Studio Introduction & Throwing Fundamentals

    Begin with an introduction to the studio, materials, tools, and safe working practices before learning the essential stages of wheel throwing. You'll practise centring, opening, pulling, and shaping clay to create simple forms such as cylinders and mug bodies.

    Week 2 – Developing Forms

    Build on the foundations of Week 1 as you refine your throwing technique and learn to create bowls with greater consistency, control, and confidence.

    Week 3 – Trimming & Refining

    Learn how to trim and finish your work by creating clean foot rings and refining form, balance, and proportion. You'll also begin throwing larger, more ambitious pieces.

    Week 4 – Handles & Surface Decoration

    Complete your thrown pieces by making and attaching handles before exploring decorative techniques including coloured slips, sgraffito, sprigging, and applied surface decoration.

    Week 5 – Glazing

    Your work will have been bisque fired and ready for glazing. Learn how to dip and apply brush-on glazes before preparing your pieces for their final firing.

    Your finished ceramics will be glaze fired and ready for collection approximately 4–5 weeks after the course ends.

  • Upcoming course intakes:

    Wednesday 16th September – 14th October
    Wednesday 4th November – 2nd December

    Time: 10.30am – 12.45pm
    (includes 15 minutes at the end for cleaning and tidy-up)

    Duration: 5 weekly sessions per course

    Cost: £275

    Please note we are unable to offer catch-up sessions for missed classes or allow students to swap course dates once a course has begun.

  • During the course, you’ll have access to unlimited clay, allowing you to explore forms freely and work creatively throughout the sessions. Students will use our house stoneware clay and have access to a range of tools, slips, and studio glazes.

    Please bring a plastic storage box each week to safely transport and store your work between sessions.

    Materials and firing costs for three finished pieces are included in the course fee. If you would like to keep additional work, a small charge will apply to cover materials and firing costs.

    For environmental reasons, we encourage students to only fire pieces they genuinely wish to keep, as firing is an irreversible process. Clay can be recycled repeatedly before firing, and we are committed to minimising waste and recycling materials wherever possible within the studio.

    Please wear clothing and footwear you don’t mind getting clay on (clay is fully washable and doesn’t stain).

  • After completing this course, you may wish to continue your development on our Intermediate Wheel Throwing Course. This follow-on course is designed for students ready to build on the fundamentals, refine their technique, and develop greater control, consistency, and scale on the wheel.

  • Please use the booking calendar below. Available course start dates shown in green. By booking the first session date you are booked onto the entire 5 week course.

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