Skill Level: Three (Intermediate, experience required)

Requirements: Completion of Wheel Throwing Level Two or similar experience (Ability center, pull 6 inch tall cylinders and 4 inch wide bowls consistently and without assistance as well as an ability to create with intention)

Natural, organic, primitive, rustic, wabi-sabi….all related terms used to describe works that embrace the beauty of imperfection and celebrate the visible effects of time. 

This class utilizes and builds upon some techniques from Part One. We will learn how to create asymmetrical and organic forms on the wheel through various techniques and in a broad range of sizes. Starting with the basic teabowl form and other small drinking vessels, we will move to taller bottle and vase forms before ending with larger bowls and planters. We will learn how to work with the clay on the wheel to produce functional forms that are technically well made and visually dynamic in form and surface. From there we will move on to advanced glazing methods and finally to alternative firings with the final class being a group Raku firing! (Traditional, naked, and obvara Raku)

This is part two of a two part series, each part can be taken separately, though it is highly recommended to take both in order to learn all the techniques. Part One covers history and current artists working with the style as well as hand building and pre-glaze decorating. 

Week 1:

• Throwing imperfect and asymmetrical forms on the wheel

• Small Drinking vessels (guinomi, yunomi, chawan, etc)

• Small open top pouring vessels

• Using slips and mortar (textured slip) on the wheel 

Week 2:

• Trimming organic rimmed and asymmetrical forms on the wheel and by hand

• Bottle and vase forms

• Throwing larger imperfect forms - bowls and planters

Week 3:

• Advanced glazing techniques

• Attaining an atmospheric fired look in an electric kiln

• Layering glazes

• Overview of alternative firing techniques and prep for Raku firing

Week 4:

• Raku firing!

Included with Class:

• Print and digital handout materials

• 15lbs brown cone 6 clay

• 15lbs buff cone 6 (studio) clay 

• Firings of all work made during the course

• Participation in a group Raku firing and use of Raku glazes

• Outside of class studio access with the following schedule:

• Mon-Thur 8:30am-9pm, Fri 8:30am-5pm, Sat & Sun 10am-4pm

You will need to bring:

Clay tools. If you don’t already have some, a link to the recommended items will be sent along with the class info email after signup.