In Focus: Mugs
Beginners, Improvers & Intermediate
Progressing Skills
Date and Time: Monday 7 December - Wednesday 9 December, 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
During this course, participants will explore a range of mug forms, beginning with the Leach Pottery Standard Ware mug. From this starting point, participants will be encouraged to look closely at proportion, balance and function, and to develop their own mug forms through making.
Mugs can appear deceptively simple, yet they are among the most demanding forms to resolve well. They are intimate pots, held closely and used daily, and small adjustments can make a significant difference to how they feel and function.
The course will include time spent examining historic examples from the Leach Pottery Collection, alongside photographs from books and other museum collections, offering a broader context for form and design.
This three-day, practice-based throwing course is aimed at improvers and intermediate throwers who wish to further develop their skills through a focused study of jugs.
Through a series of exercises centred on throwing cylinders, participants will progress towards making jugs of varying forms and sizes. Reference will be drawn from Leach Pottery Standard Ware jugs, as well as medieval and harvest jugs, with attention given to proportion, weight, and the relationship between body, spout and handle.
The course is taught in small groups of five, in one of the Leach Pottery’s purpose-built Learning & Production Studios, allowing time for individual guidance and thoughtful making.
Structure
Day 1: Participants will practice throwing forms on the wheel. Starting with cylinders on the first morning and then working towards Leach standard ware mug forms: both small and standard sizes.
Day 2: Participants will throw some different mug forms including some bellied ones. In the afternoon they will design and try to execute a form of their own.
Day 3: Handles. In the morning participants will do lots of handle practice and then in the afternoon put handles on their mugs. Decorative techniques will be explored if participants have time.
The course covers:
- overview of clay preparation and proficient centring
- throwing basic cylinders
- a collection of mug forms
- throwing to specific measurements
- handling
-throwing with up to 2Kg 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, one piece will be selected for firing, this piece needs to be within the footprint of 20 x 20 x 20cm, it will be posted* up to 12 weeks after the course has finished. 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.
*if the address that you would like your work posting to is non-UK, extra postage will apply.
Ability & Skill Level
These throwing courses are suitable for anyone from a beginner to improvers and advanced participants. Mugs are a great form to learn on, but also take years to perfect. 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.
When: Monday 7 December - Wednesday 9 December
Where: The Leach Pottery Learning & Production Studios
Places: 5
Price: £480
Duration: 3 days. Core teaching hours: 10am – 4pm
Please arrive at 9.30am on the first day of your course for the welcome session.
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: one 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.
Any questions? Please visit out FAQ — The Leach Pottery
Please be aware, only assistance dogs are allowed in the Learning spaces.
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