Throwing Large summer workshop
Explore the art of creating large ceramic forms in this immersive three-day workshop. This masterclass is perfect for intermediate potters who want to expand their skills.
In this three-day workshop, students will focus on creating larger wheel-thrown forms including large bowls, tall bottles, and centerpiece vases. We will utilize techniques like spiral wedging, piecemeal centering, and coil throwing to achieve wider, taller, and proportionately pleasing forms.
Note: This is not an intro workshop. To be successful , you need to be able to confidently center 1,5kg of clay and make a cylinder.
In three days of demonstrations, hands-on practice and individual guidance.
You will learn:
- The basics of spiral wedging
- Proper seating at the pottery wheel
- How to incorporate the body into the work
- Piecemeal centering (a technique for managing large amounts of clay on a pottery wheel by centering it in smaller, stacked sections rather than all at once. This method involves setting a new ball of clay directly onto a previously centered base, then anchoring, coning, and centering the new section)
- How to incorporate decorative elements and handles
Practical information:
- Date: Monday 13th, Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th of July
- Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm each day
Class: 10:00 to 12:30
Lunch break: 12:30 to 13:00
Class: 13:00 to 15:30
Clean up: 15:30 to 16:00 - Price: € 395,-
- Day One: Throwing Big & Wide: Students will first learn new techniques to wedging, centering, and throwing larger amounts of clay (2.5 kg). We will utilize these new techniques to throw a large, shallow salad bowl. We will also begin practicing throwing taller cylinders in preparation for throwing bottles and vases on day 2.
- Day two: Throwing Big & Tall: Students will then learn modified pulling and collaring techniques to throwing taller forms with consistent walls. We will begin throwing a narrow bottle to practice height, and then throw a larger, wider bellied vase. Finally, students will learn coil throwing, an effective and more controlled alternative to stacked forms. Students may prep a base piece the day before or throw a base on day 2 and force dry it via hairdryer/heat gun/torch.
- Location: Atelier van de Ven – Oudedijk 7, 3062 AB Rotterdam
- Class Size: Limited to 6 to ensure personalised guidance and a productive group dynamic.
- Teacher: Jessica Van de Ven
- Level: Suitable for those beyond the beginner stage who can control form and wall thickness; no prior experience with large forms is required – guidance will be provided throughout the workshop
- Language: Dutch or English
- Lunch: Bring your own lunch, we’ll provide coffee, tea (dairy-free and herbal alternatives), water, fruit and chocolates
- Cancellation policy: You can cancel two weeks prior to the beginning of the workshop (afterwards no refund). Atelier Van de Ven reserves the right to cancel the workshop in case of insufficient bookings (minimum of 3 participants)
Workshop fee covers 10kg of clay and bisque fire.
What to bring:
- Comfortable clothes that can get dirty (we provide lab coats)
Do you have any questions?
Please send us an email.
PS Workshop fee covers 10kg of clay and bisque fire. If you would like to keep more pieces, we can, by agreement, bisque fire at an additional cost of €10,-kg.
