Plates and Bottles: 5 Days

Improvers & Intermediate

Progressing Skills

This lively course focuses on these two opposing forms through exploration of approaches. Through making plates and bottles you will encounter different methods of throwing flat and cylindrical forms and advance turning and pulling handle techniques. This course is for intermediate throwers who can center 1kg of clay and acts as a good reminder of best practice in your throwing approaches. Consider modified thrown forms through paddling, fluting and faceting, creating a sake bottle and collection of beakers to play with this approaches. The course allows time of participants to repeat these skills learnt with the support of the tutor.

Skills Covered: Intermediate Throwing, Bottles, Plates, Paddling, Fluting, Faceting, Handle pulling, turning and making to specific measurements

When: Monday 29 June – Friday 3 July 2026
Where: The Leach Pottery Learning & Production Studios
Places: 5

Price: £750 
Duration: 5 days. Core teaching hours: 10am – 4pm. Last day of the course: 10 am – 3.30pm. 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: two pieces (one bottle and one plate) 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. You are welcome to take one or two pieces of unfired work home if you wish. Please bring boxes and packaging for safe transport. 

Ability & Skill Level: Improver and Intermediate

These throwing courses are suitable for both improvers and intermediate throwers As sessions are taught in small groups, the tutor is able to provide support to each participant, regardless of their skill level within the Improver and Intermediate criteria. Abilities are self-identified, so there may be a range of experience within the group—but everyone is supported at their own pace. (See here for explanation of skill level criteria)

We are delighted to offer one 10% discount in our Shop for the duration of your course. 

 Any questions? Please visit our FAQ — The Leach Pottery 

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

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