In Focus: A Potter’s Way of Seeing

Improvers & Intermediate

Progressing Skills

Date and Time: Monday 12 October – Wednesday 14 October, 10am – 4pm

Each of the In Focus workshops explores a skill through rigorous repetition. The teaching is rooted in repetition and instructive feedback. The participant leaves with a stronger skill set and one fired pot to remember the experience. Participants are encouraged to bring a notebook and pen to take notes.

Overview 
This 3 day course invites participants to slow down and look closely at pots, materials and process. In Focus: A Potter’s Way of Seeing explores how careful observation underpins good making, encouraging a deeper understanding of form, proportion, surface, and function.

Through a combination of practical making, drawing, looking, and discussion, the course considers how potters train the eye and develop visual judgement over time. Working with clay both on and off the wheel, participants will explore how seeing clearly informs decision-making at every stage of the making process.

The course draws on the Leach Pottery’s collection, studio practice, and surrounding environment, offering space to reflect on what it means to make pots with intention and attention, achieving beauty and utility.

This course is taught to small groups of 5 in one of the new purpose-built Learning & Production Studios at the Leach Pottery.

Structure

Day 1: Participants will warm up throwing cylinders allowing for the tutor to observe skills and ensure proficient techniques are in place. Selected objects from the Leach Pottery Museum collection will be handled and considered, followed by a series of sketching exercises. Participants will then work on the wheel to replicate selected forms.

Day 2:  After some sketching and modelling exercises participants will continue to throw on the wheel as they take inspiration from the Leach Pottery forms. Participants will gradually be encouraged to develop and adapt forms to create their own responses.

Day 3: Forms will be trimmed or handled after consideration of adapted forms and decorative techniques will be explored using slips and oxides. 

The course covers:
- overview of clay preparation and proficient centering

- handling and sketching pots from the collection

- throwing basic cylinders

- observation of thrown forms

- throwing to specific measurements

- adapting selected forms to find personalised shapes

- exploring preferred design

- throwing with up to 3kg of clay

Firing

These throwing courses are written to help participants build strong, repeatable skills through hands-on practice and expert guidance from the tutor. We don’t take a firing-focused approach. Instead, 1 piece will be selected for firing, and participants may take home up to two additional unfired pieces. This emphasis on making—without the pressure or attachment that often comes with firing—encourages a more focused, process-led experience.

Ability & Skill Level

These throwing courses are suitable for both improvers and advanced participants. As sessions are taught in small groups, the tutor is able to provide tailored support to each participant, regardless of their skill level. Abilities are self-identified, so there may be a range of experience within the group—but everyone is supported at their own pace. Please don’t be concerned about the drawing aspects of this course – sketching is a way of encouraging your hand and eye to work together and the resulting sketching are a means to an end rather than refined finished outcomes. The drawing exercises take a playful approach. 

Equipment & materials: clay and a basic tool kit is provided. We focus on building core skills and working directly with the clay to get the most from a core selection of tools. Please bring additional tools if you wish to use them along with an apron and hand towel.  
You will leave with: 1 piece that will be fired & posted to you* up to 12 weeks after the course has finished. This piece needs to be within the footprint of 20 x 20 x 20cm. Please bring a box and packing material to take a maximum of two unfired pieces away with you if you wish. 
Level: Improver & Intermediate  (See here for explanation of skill level criteria)

*if the address that you would like your work posting to is non-UK, extra postage will apply. 

We are delighted to offer one 10% discount in our Shop during your course.

Facilities notes for 2026 course participants.

Any questions? Please visit out FAQ — The Leach Pottery 

Please be aware, only assistance dogs are allowed in the Learning spaces.  

Terms and conditions 

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