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Trent Berning

Course Description

This course offers a thorough, well-organized, and detailed approach to the numerous aspects of the of the potter's wheel as a mode of artistic expression. Students learn through text, video demonstrations and skill building exercises that walk individuals through a strategic hierarchy for intermediate forming techniques. The class moves through wedging tips, bottles, chucks, pouring vessels, lids, flat ware, double-walled forms, simple sectionals and more.

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Course Description

This course offers a thorough, well-organized, and detailed approach to the numerous aspects of the of the potter's wheel as a mode of artistic expression. Students learn through text, video demonstrations and skill building exercises that walk individuals through a strategic hierarchy for intermediate forming techniques. The class moves through wedging tips, bottles, chucks, pouring vessels, lids, flat ware, double-walled forms, simple sectionals and more.

The class is a thoughtful blend of artistic guidance and fundamental educational goals for art students, Wheel-Throwing Pottery II has been developed for individuals with varying levels of experience wishing to improve their ceramic education. The class will enable you to speak knowledgeably about the medium, understand techniques, outline clear forming steps, and to expand your knowledge of the pottery’s wheel.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to the Wheel-Thrown Pottery III, Advanced Techniques
Introduction to the Wheel-Thrown Pottery III
Throwing with Coil Built Base
Ceramic Medium Assumptions
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Offers a strategic hierarchy for intermediate forming techniques, which strengthens an existing foundation for learners looking to refine their wheel-throwing skills
Covers wedging tips, bottles, chucks, pouring vessels, lids, flat ware, double-walled forms, and simple sectionals, which are all essential for intermediate learners
Enables learners to speak knowledgeably about the ceramic medium, understand techniques, and outline clear forming steps, which are all essential for art students
Explores alternative throwing techniques, such as throwing with coils, inverted throwing, and throwing with slabs, which may add color to other topics and subjects
Includes critiquing bullet points for various forms, such as large platters, thrown feet and stems, ovals, spouts and teapots, and sectionals, which develops professional skills
Requires learners to have prior experience with wheel-thrown pottery, which may be a barrier to entry for beginners who have no experience with pottery

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Reviews summary

Advanced wheel-thrown pottery techniques

According to learners, this course offers a thorough and well-organized approach to advanced wheel-thrown pottery techniques. Students particularly praise the detailed video demonstrations and skill-building exercises that cover complex forms like bottles, pouring vessels, lids, sectionals, and tea pots. While many found the course highly rewarding for advancing their skills and exploring alternative throwing methods, some noted that mastering these challenging techniques online required significant practice and a solid foundation from prior levels. Overall, it's seen as a valuable resource for serious pottery enthusiasts aiming to expand their repertoire beyond intermediate skills.
Best for those with solid basics.
"This course definitely requires a solid foundation from Wheel-Throwing II or equivalent experience."
"Some parts were quite difficult if you aren't completely comfortable with centering large amounts of clay."
"Make sure you have your basic skills down before attempting these advanced forms."
"I felt I needed to brush up on some intermediate skills before fully succeeding."
Covers difficult forms requiring practice.
"Working on the tea pots and sectionals was very challenging but rewarding."
"Mastering the inverted throwing technique took a lot of practice to get right."
"I found forming the larger platters and ovals required more clay control than previous levels."
"The techniques covered are definitely advanced and push your skills."
Logically structured learning path.
"The course is well-organized and moves through techniques in a logical order."
"I appreciated how the skills build on each other from simpler forms to complex ones."
"The progression felt strategic, helping me gradually tackle harder projects."
"The hierarchy of techniques presented made sense for advanced learning."
Clear video instruction for complex techniques.
"The video demonstrations were excellent, providing clear views of hand positions and technique."
"Detailed demos really helped me understand complex steps like throwing sectionals and lids."
"I could follow along with the video lessons very easily, the camera work is great."
"The demonstrations provided exactly what I needed to attempt these advanced forms."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Wheel-Thrown Pottery III, Advance Techniques with these activities:
Practice Centering Clay
Reinforce the fundamental skill of centering clay on the wheel to ensure success with more advanced forms.
Show steps
  • Prepare clay by wedging to remove air bubbles.
  • Secure the clay to the center of the wheel head.
  • Use water and consistent pressure to center the clay.
  • Practice until the clay spins smoothly without wobbling.
Mastering the Potter's Wheel
Expand your knowledge of wheel throwing techniques and explore new forms.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Mastering the Potter's Wheel'.
  • Read the chapters on advanced throwing techniques.
  • Try throwing some of the forms demonstrated in the book.
The Potter's Dictionary of Materials and Techniques
Deepen your understanding of materials and techniques to improve your pottery skills.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Potter's Dictionary'.
  • Browse the sections on clay bodies and glazes.
  • Refer to the book when encountering unfamiliar terms.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Document Your Pottery Journey
Track your progress and reflect on your learning experience to identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Create a blog or online journal.
  • Photograph each piece you create.
  • Write about the challenges and successes of each project.
  • Reflect on what you learned and how you can improve.
Design and Throw a Multi-Sectional Vase
Apply your knowledge of sectional throwing to create a complex and visually appealing vase.
Show steps
  • Sketch several designs for a multi-sectional vase.
  • Choose your favorite design and plan the throwing process.
  • Throw each section of the vase separately.
  • Assemble the sections and refine the form.
  • Glaze and fire the vase.
Create a Glaze Recipe Database
Compile and organize glaze recipes to experiment with different colors and textures.
Show steps
  • Research glaze recipes online and in books.
  • Create a spreadsheet or database to store the recipes.
  • Organize the recipes by color, texture, and firing temperature.
  • Test the recipes and document the results.

Career center

Learners who complete Wheel-Thrown Pottery III, Advance Techniques will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Ceramic Artist
A Ceramic Artist creates original works of art using clay and other ceramic materials. The artist forms, glazes, and fires pottery, sculpture, or other artistic creations using a variety of techniques. This course will enable a ceramic artist to refine their skills on the potter's wheel, expanding their knowledge of techniques. Understanding coil built bases, throwing with coils, and inverted throwing may offer the ceramic artist new ways to express themselves. This course can help the artist to advance in their career. The artist may learn from critiquing practices, and by studying the work of other artists in the field.
Potter
A Potter creates functional and decorative objects from clay using a variety of techniques including wheel throwing. Potters often produce tableware, vases, and other household items. This course helps the potter advance their skills on the wheel and gives them specific tips that they can use on the potter's wheel. A potter will be particularly drawn to discussions of throwing with coil built bases, throwing with coils, and inverted throwing. Further, the knowledge that they gain in critiquing practices based on this course will help potters to improve their technique to take their work to its highest level of artistic expression.
Studio Artist
A Studio Artist maintains a personal studio space to create and sell artwork. They often work independently, developing their own style and marketing their work. This course helps a studio artist gain knowledge to refine their pottery wheel skills. The techniques discussed in this course, such as throwing with coil built bases, throwing with coils, and inverted throwing, may offer studio artists new ways to express themselves. They may be drawn to the sections on critiquing and discussion of the ceramic medium to better understand their work.
Hobby Potter
A Hobby Potter creates ceramic art for personal enjoyment and skill development. They may attend workshops, join pottery clubs, and sell their work at local craft fairs. This course is ideal for hobby potters who wish to advance their wheel-throwing skills. This course may also provide them with a structured learning experience. Discussions of throwing with coil built bases, throwing with coils, and inverted throwing, may offer hobby potters new ways to express themselves. The sections on critiquing and research may also be beneficial for personal growth and artistic development.
Art teacher
An Art Teacher instructs students in various art forms, including ceramics. They develop lesson plans, assess student work, and provide guidance on technique and artistic expression. This course may offer a wider knowledge of the potter's wheel. Specifically, an art teacher may be drawn to the sections on sequential change and collaborative teapots as a method of instruction. The section on introducing wheel-thrown pottery helps build a foundation for curriculum planning. Understanding critiquing bullet points will benefit art teachers as they assess their students.
Product Designer
A Product Designer creates the form and function of manufactured goods, considering aesthetics, usability, and cost-effectiveness. A designer may use ceramic materials in their work. This course helps product designers who want to explore the potential of ceramics in their designs. The focus on techniques such as throwing feet and stems, ovals, and teapots may be particularly relevant. The sections on critiquing and research may also be beneficial in the design process. Understanding the ceramic assumptions of a project helps build a creative foundation.
Craft Fair Vendor
A Craft Fair Vendor creates and sells handmade goods at craft fairs and markets. They are responsible for designing, producing, and marketing their products, as well as managing sales and customer service. This course may be useful for craft fair vendors who create and sell ceramic items. This course helps craft fair vendors to hone their wheel-throwing skills. This course can benefit craft fair vendors by offering a diverse range of techniques in pottery. This helps build vendor knowledge and ability to sell ceramic products at craft fairs.
Sculptor
A Sculptor creates three-dimensional artworks from various materials, including clay. Sculptors may work on a variety of scales, from small figurines to large installations. This course may be useful for sculptors who wish to explore the potential of the potter's wheel in their practice, offering an avenue for exploring new forms and techniques. This course delves into the study of ceramic medium assumptions, controlled drying, and throwing with slabs which helps build a solid foundation for sculpting. The sections on critiquing techniques and research based on interviewing an artist may also be useful.
Ceramic Technician
A Ceramic Technician assists artists and instructors in a ceramic studio, maintaining equipment, mixing glazes, and firing kilns. This course may be helpful for ceramic technicians who want to deepen their understanding of wheel throwing techniques. The course may offer a greater understanding of the ceramic processes that they are supporting. A ceramic technician may be interested in the sections on controlled drying, throwing with coils, and throwing inverted. They may also gain insight from the section on ceramic medium assumptions.
Restoration Artist
A Restoration Artist specializes in the repair and conservation of damaged artwork. They may work on paintings, sculptures, or ceramics, using specialized techniques to restore the artwork to its original condition. This course may be useful for restoration artists who work with ceramics. The sections on controlled drying, throwing with coils, and throwing inverted, may offer the artist new ways to repair broken items. The sections on critiquing and research may also be beneficial for understanding the original techniques used to create the artwork.
Exhibition Designer
An Exhibition Designer plans and designs art exhibitions for museums, galleries, and other venues. This includes selecting artworks, arranging them in a visually appealing way, and creating interpretive materials. This course may assist exhibition designers who want to gain a deeper understanding of ceramic art. The course introduces the techniques, history, and artistic considerations involved in wheel-thrown pottery. The sections on critiquing and research may be particularly useful for understanding and presenting ceramic artworks in their exhibitions. The discussions of research and critiquing helps build a foundation for presenting art.
Gallery Owner
A Gallery Owner manages an art gallery, curating exhibitions, promoting artists, and selling artwork. They may also be involved in art appraisal and consulting. This course may be useful for gallery owners who specialize in ceramics. The sections on critiquing and research may be particularly useful for understanding the artistic merits of ceramic artworks. Understanding the ceramic assumptions of a project helps build a creative foundation.
Set Designer
A Set Designer creates the visual environment for theatrical productions, films, and television shows. They work with directors and other designers to develop a cohesive aesthetic that supports the story. This course may be useful for set designers who need to incorporate ceramic elements into their sets. The sections on critiquing and research may also be beneficial for understanding the historical and cultural context of ceramic objects. The topics of tea pots and vessels may be particularly useful.
Industrial Designer
An Industrial Designer focuses on the aesthetic and functional design of mass-produced products. They consider factors such as usability, materials, and manufacturing processes. This course may benefit industrial designers interested in incorporating ceramic elements into their designs. The emphasis on various throwing techniques and forms can provide a foundation for creating innovative and functional ceramic-based products, expanding their design toolkit with specialized knowledge. The thorough, well-organized, and detailed approach of the course helps to promote a wider understanding of the field.
Arts Administrator
An Arts Administrator manages the operations of arts organizations, such as museums, galleries, and theaters. They may be responsible for fundraising, marketing, and program development. This course may be useful for arts administrators who work with ceramic artists or institutions. The deeper understanding of the artistic process and the techniques involved in wheel-thrown pottery enhances the ability to support and promote ceramic arts effectively. In particular, the topics of sequential change, research, and critiquing helps build knowledge in arts administration.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Wheel-Thrown Pottery III, Advance Techniques.
Comprehensive resource for understanding the materials and techniques used in pottery. It provides detailed explanations of various clay bodies, glazes, and firing processes. It valuable reference tool for understanding the technical aspects of wheel-thrown pottery and can help troubleshoot issues encountered during the forming and firing processes. This book is commonly used by both academic institutions and industry professionals.
Offers a comprehensive guide to wheel throwing techniques, covering everything from basic forms to more complex shapes. It includes detailed instructions, helpful tips, and inspiring examples of contemporary pottery. It is particularly useful for students looking to expand their repertoire of forms and refine their throwing skills. This book is valuable as additional reading to deepen the understanding of wheel throwing.

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