6-Week Advanced Pottery wheel class: Altered Forms, Big Vases & Teapots

Ready to take your wheel-throwing skills to the next level? 

This advanced 6-week course is designed for students who are already comfortable centering clay and throwing basic forms. Throughout the course, we will focus on throwing larger pieces, refining technique, and exploring more complex forms on the wheel.

Working with larger amounts of clay, participants will learn how to create ambitious vessels, alter wheel-thrown forms, and construct teapots from multiple thrown components.

Teaching is highly demonstration-based and focuses on helping each participant develop both technical confidence and personal expression. Every new technique will be demonstrated in detail before students begin working, allowing participants to observe the full process step by step. Throughout the course, the instructor will provide continuous individual guidance, technical support, and feedback tailored to each participant's project and skill level.

Week 1 & 2 – Large Vessels & Altered Forms

The course begins with large wheel-thrown vase forms.

Students will learn how to:

• Throw with larger quantities of clay
• Increase height and volume while maintaining control
• Refine form and proportion
• Cut and alter wheel-thrown vessels
• Reassemble and reshape forms to create dynamic silhouettes
• Push beyond standard symmetrical forms while maintaining strong throwing fundamentals

Week 3 – Teapot Design & Planning

Before beginning construction, we will study a variety of historical and contemporary teapots.

Students will:

• Analyze different teapot forms and functions
• Discuss proportions, balance, and pouring mechanics
• Sketch ideas and develop an individual project plan
• Prepare for the technical challenges of multi-part wheel-thrown forms

Week 4 & 5 – Wheel-Thrown Teapots

The main project of the course focuses on creating a teapot from several wheel-thrown elements.

Students will learn:

• Throwing the teapot body
• Throwing and fitting lids
• Throwing spouts
• Creating and attaching handles
• Assembly techniques for complex functional forms
• Refining details, proportions, and functionality

There will be plenty of room for creative and personal interpretations, from elegant traditional forms to more sculptural and playful designs.

Optional slip decoration can be applied while the clay is still wet.

Week 6 – Glazing

The final session is dedicated to glazing and surface finishing.

Students will:

• Learn glazing techniques suitable for functional ware
• Explore colour and surface possibilities
• Glaze their completed work
• Optionally use underglaze decoration

What Is Included

• 6 weekly sessions (3 hours each)
• Professional demonstrations and technical guidance
• Access to throwing wheels and studio equipment
• Clay for all course projects
• Bisque firing
• Glaze firing
• Studio glazes
• Glazing session during the final week

Recommended Level

This course is intended for students with previous wheel-throwing experience who are comfortable centering clay and throwing cylinders and bowls independently.

What You Will Learn

• Throwing with larger amounts of clay
• Creating tall and voluminous vessels
• Advanced wheel control and form refinement
• Altering wheel-thrown forms
• Multi-part wheel-thrown construction
• Teapot design and construction
• Throwing lids and spouts
• Handle attachment techniques
• Slip decoration and glazing

By the end of the course, you will have developed a collection of large altered vessels and a finished wheel-thrown teapot while building confidence in more advanced throwing techniques and complex ceramic forms.

This class is taught in Norwegian and English.