5 Day Specialist: Intermediate Throwing & Surface Decoration
Across 2024 – 2025 the Leach Pottery is undertaking capital building works to improve the site for future potters. Find out more here
The cylinder which preceded any expansion is conditioned by the nature of the materials and gravity. The shape which follows is determined by other requirements of use and beauty. In a good pot these elements are welded into a living whole, and it is illuminating to notice how the inter-play occurs.
The Potter’s Book. 1940. Bernard Leach
“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.
This is a 5 day practice-based throwing and surface decoration course aimed at those with intermediate throwing experience.
The course covers:
- clay preparation: wedging techniques and centering clay of up to 2kg on the wheel
- throwing repeat forms with self-led exploration to refine style
- practicing preferred form, throwing to specific measurements and repeat throwing
- decorative methods such as how to make a decorative slip with oxides, slip trailing, slip brush decoration, fluting, sgraffito, tool and stamp making
When: See dates opposite
Where: Bernard’s Studio. (Unfortunately, courses held in Bernard’s Studio are inaccessible for wheelchair users)
Places: 4
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 to take part in a 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 central selection of tools. Please bring additional tools if you wish to use them along with an apron and hand towel.
This course will: teach you specific skills in throwing and surface decoration methods.
You will leave with: two pieces that is within the footprint of 20 x 20 x 20cm that will be glazed, fired at the Leach Pottery and sent to you* up to 12 weeks after the course has finished.
Level: intermediate - to do this course, you will need to be able to centre at least 2Kg with clay, produce cylinders, and be able to achieve the forms that you aim for.
*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 out 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.
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5 Day Specialist: Intermediate Throwing & Surface Decoration 2025
To join our waiting list please email Charmaine charmaine.orkamfat@leachpottery.com