Throwing Course: 5 Day Bernard’s Studio and Newlyn School of Art
The wheel upon which a potter moulds their hollow forms is one of the most peculiar and intimate devices which human beings invented. There is nothing quite like throwing in any other craft. Wood, metal, fiber and glass, none of them are so responsive to the touch as clay. A Potter’s Book, Bernard Leach. 1940
“In Autumn 2025 workshops will commence in our newly built Learning Studios. It is possible that any courses booked for September – December 2025 will be taught in the new studios instead of Bernard’s Studio. Participants will receive an email shortly before the start of their course to confirm which studio they will be attending.”
Once the move to the new studios has been made, restoration works will render the Leach Pottery museum closed. During this period courses will be begin with a 30 min introductory talk about the story of the Leach Pottery.
Whether you are a student potter, keen amateur, improver or a complete beginner, a throwing course with the Leach Pottery ensures you consolidate essential techniques and explore new approaches. Enjoy dedicated time and space to develop your practice. This 5 Day Course covers skills you learn on the 3 Day Throwing Course but allows more time to strengthen these techniques and encounter additional forms. There is more time to focus on handle pulling, turning, surface decoration and any other particular aspect you would like to improve. This course is taught to small groups of 4 participants in Bernard’s Studio or 5 participants in Newlyn School of Art.
Overview
This is a 5 Day practice-based throwing course aimed at beginners who would like to learn basic throwing skills, and for those who have some experience of throwing and intermediate students who would like to further develop their skills. This is an opportunity to learn new skills and brush up on essential techniques.
The course covers:
- clay preparation: wedging techniques, centering clay on the wheel, throwing basic cylinders then moving on to different forms – jugs, vases, plates, bowls etc.
- practicing your preferred form, throwing to specific measurements, and repeat throwing
- turning and finishing, pulling and attaching handles and decorating techniques.
When: Please see dates and availability opposite
Where: Bernard’s Studio at the Leach Pottery, (Unfortunately, courses held in Bernard’s Studio are inaccessible for wheelchair users) or Newlyn School of Art
Places: 4 in Bernard’s Studio or 5 Newlyn School of Art
Cost: £655
Duration: 5 days. Core teaching hours: 10am – 4pm and 10am – 3.30pm on the last day.
Bernard’s Studio, please arrive at 9.30am on the first day of your course to take part in the tour of the museum.
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: beginner & intermediate
*if the address that you would like your work posting to is non-UK, extra postage will apply.
We are delighted to offer a 10% discount in our Shop for 14 days from the start of your course.
Any questions? Please visit our FAQ — The Leach Pottery.
Please be aware, only assistance dogs are allowed in the Learning spaces.
Terms & Conditions — The Leach Pottery
Our courses are popular, we do our best to add more dates when we can.
Please sign-up to our mailing list to receive news about courses and the Leach Pottery.
Photo credit: Jonny Weeks