Introduction to Repetition and Production Throwing
This is a 3 day introduction workshop for people who want to explore repetition & production throwing. Participants will learn practical and accessible ways that help them to create consistent shapes and improve their workflow, from clay preparation and wheel setup, to throwing, trimming and making custom tools. They will learn how to intentionally design pieces while considering the making process, how to protect their bodies from the physical strain of production pottery and how to properly document their ceramic process for consistency and repeatability. At the end of the workshop, they will implement their new knowledge and create a set of 6 matching mugs or small bowls.
Why take this workshop
In ceramics, moving from making individual pieces to creating consistent series is one of the biggest challenges. This workshop gives you practical tools to make that shift: learning how to intentionally repeat forms, optimize your workflow, and work more efficiently without sacrificing quality. It also focuses on something often overlooked: how to take care of your body and sustain a long-term practice. It’s an opportunity to structure your process, gain confidence in repetition, and start producing work with greater coherence.
Who it’s for
This is for confident potters who have a good understanding of the entire throwing process and want to dip their toes into making coherent series of work, wether it is to challenge yourself to throw more consistent and efficient, or to start getting into production work. The used techniques are straightforward and easy to implement as long as you are able to consistently center and throw up to 600g of clay.
What will you learn in this workshop?
DAILY PROGRAM
Day 1 — Introduction, Clay Preparation, Work Setup & Throwing Session
- Theoretic introduction: Which factors help create consistent work? Efficient workflows from clay prep to throwing and trimming, weighing, measuring, using and creating specific tools, documentation and physical wellbeing
- Clay prep: different clay preparation methods (ramshead, slam wedging, spiral wedging), then preparation of 12 balls of clay per person
- Body and station prep: Warm up exercise & explaining setup choices based on efficient workflows
- Throwing demo and practice #1 Repetition: center, cone, throw one cylinder, measure size, repeat the same cylinder two more times, then cutting up to analize pieces
- Throwing demo and practice #2 Efficiency: practicing throwing a piece in 3 pulls, then cutting up to check wall consistency
- Throwing demo and practice #3 Intention: sketch a rough shape, create a rib or a measuring tool based on this, and throw pieces, cutting up & analysis
- Throwing demo and practice #4 Speed: time themselves, then try to reduce by 1min for each new trial
Day 2 – Design of final set, Creating custom tools, Throwing
- Which considerations should be made design wise to make sure one can create a consistent final set of work? Physical limitations, complexity, time restrictions and speed, visual appeal
- Sketching of some pieces on paper, including approximate measurements based on expected final outcome (use finished references)
- Quick warm up & stretch
- Prep clay to throw 3 slightly different piece, analyze and adjust clay weight, shape and proportions
- Create custom tools
- Throw a minimum of 6 pieces (extra for practice)
Day 3 – Trimming, Advanced throwing tools, Throwing challenges
- Trimming demonstration and practice #1 Center: learn how to tap or cradle center
- Trimming demo and practice #2 Refining and Finishing: Foot shaping, refining shape, cleaning up rims, and adding additional details such as signature or other decorations (and handles?)
- Throwing challenge #1 Speed Throwing (5min, 3min, 2min, 1min)
- Throwing challenge #2 3 Pull Challenge
- Throwing challenge #3 Copycat: copy each others work
Price : 65€/clay and firings not included
Dates : Tuesday 19th to Thursday 21st May from 10am a 2pm
What would be needed per person
- 1 bag of PRAI per person
- Ruler
- Throwing rib
- Needle tool
- Chopsticks or other wooden sticks & string
- Plastic cards for custom ribs
- Calipers
- Cutting wire
- Bowl for water
- Sponge
- Plastic shammy
- Bottle cap
- Wooden knife
- Paper & pen
- Apron
- Mirror
- Trimming tools
- Wooden board
- Plastic bag
What would be needed to share
- Scissors
- Scales
