Intensive Ceramics Course in Oaxaca
Course Objective
In this course, you will acquire knowledge of theoretical pottery fundamentals as well as practical skills for working with clay. While working with the pottery wheel, you will learn how to throw and trim basic pottery shapes, like cylinders, cups, bowls, vases and plates. In other parts of the course, you will learn about different hand-building methods. Finally, you will work with the foundational understanding you have built to select the pottery methods most appropriate to fulfilling your project goals.
Project Description
48 hour intensive ceramics course in San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico. The course covers theoretical study and practical application of technique, including hand building and use of the pottery wheel. Personalized guidance to be provided 6 hours per-day for a total of 8 days, 4 days a week, Monday to Thursday from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
All materials, including clay, working tools, colored slips (ceramic pigments), glazes and firing will be included, as well as snacks and beverages.
Final glaze-fired ceramic work will be available for pickup a week after completion of the course. You can choose clear crystal, clear matte or white crystal glazes for your creations.
The course is completely individual and private except for on Tuesday afternoons, when other students will also be working at the studio after 3:00 PM in a regularly-scheduled hand building class.
Program Schedule
Week 1
Day 1
Theoretical (1:30 hour)
- Introduction to ceramics, different uses of pottery, clay stages, and understand ceramic language.
Practical (3 Hours)
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The basics of hand-building: how to wedge(knead) the clay.
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How to make coils and pinch pots.
Solo time (1:30 hours)
Day 2
Theoretical (1 hour)
- Different types of clay and uses.
- Understanding about functional pottery and sculptural ceramics.
Practical (4 hours)
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How to make slabs and how to use slabs with roller and making templates for ceramics (2 hours)
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How to center clay and make a cylinder on pottery wheel (2 hours)
Solo time (1:00 hour)
Day 3
Practical (4 hours)
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How make and use colored slips.
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Textures application on pottery. (2 hours)
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How to make a bowl and plate on pottery wheel (2 hours)
Solo time (2 hours)
Day 4
Theory (1 hour)
- Basic ceramic materials and uses.
Practical (3 hours)
-
Making hand-built plates and cups with handles.
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Trimming and finishing your creations on the pottery wheel
Solo time (2 hours)
Week 2
Day 5
Theory (1:30 hour)
- Pros and cons of each hand-building method
- Introduction to bisque firing and glaze firing.
- Types of kilns, when to fire, how to prepare for firing, how to load kiln to fire.
Practical (4 hours)
- Learn how to combine ceramic methods via the construction of a teapot on the pottery wheel and via hand-building techniques.
Solo time (30 min)
Day 6
Practical (4 hours)
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How to hollow out a ceramic form. (1 hour)
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Cracks: how to work with the unexpected
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Making and use of paper clay. (1 hour)
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Teapot (2 hours)
Solo time (2 hours)
Day 7
Theory (1:30 hrs)
- How to find your unique artistic ceramic style. (30 min)
- Abstract ceramic sculptural exercise (1 hour)
Practical (4 hours)
-
Primitive finishes for pottery: how and when to burnish (stone smoothing and polishing) (1 hour)
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Develop your ceramic sculpture using all methods you have learned in the course. (3 hours)
Solo time (30 min)
Day 8
Practical (4 hours)
- continue making your ceramic sculpture.
Solo time (2 hours)