In Focus: Nesting Bowls

Improvers & Intermediate

Progressing Skills

Date and Time: Monday 18 May – Wednesday 20 May, 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 course offers participants an opportunity to build on existing throwing skills as they are introduced to methods of production throwing. Participants will aim for consistent forms in varying clay weights. Nesting bowls require consideration of proportion, wall thickness, rim profile and feet. The challenge of achieving three bowls with profiles which shadow each other sensitively encourages participants to focus on throwing with accuracy and replicable skill.

Utility is not a limitation but a rich source of form.

Bernard Leach, A Potter’s Book. 1940

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 as they throw practice bowls, allowing for the tutor to observe skills and ensure proficient techniques are in place. This will be followed by demonstration throwing Leach standard bowls, gradually building up in the weight of clay thrown across the day. Through handling a collection of bowl forms, participants will explore throwing a variety of bowl profiles, from curved to straight and bowls with different angles within their profiles.

Day 2: Participants will throw some wider bellied bowls with the weight of clay they feel comfortable with. Gradients of clay weights across the bowls will be experimented with and chosen by the participants along with features such as spouted bowls.

Day 3: Bowls will be trimmed and refined across the day. Simple decorative slip techniques will be explored as time permits.

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

- a collection of bowls

- throwing to specific measurements

- throwing with consistency across differing weights of clay

- rolled rims

- throwing with up to 5kg of clay (or as much as is currently comfortable for participants)

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, three pieces will be selected for firing, and participants may take home up to three 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.

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: three pieces 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.  

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