CERAMICS

Topics:

·      Overview of ceramics as an art form

·      Types of clay and their properties (e.g., stoneware, earthenware, porcelain)

·      Basic ceramic tools and equipment

·      Health and safety in the ceramics studio

Learning Outcomes:

·      Understand the different types of clay and their uses.

·      Identify key ceramic tools and their functions.

·      Follow basic health and safety protocols in the ceramics studio.

Topics:

·      Pinch pots, coil building, and slab construction

·      Creating simple shapes and forms

·      Joining clay pieces together securely

Learning Outcomes:

·      Demonstrate the ability to create ceramic forms using hand-building techniques.

·      Join pieces of clay using different methods (e.g., scoring and slipping).

·      Develop basic understanding of shape, texture, and form in ceramics.

Topics:

·      Basic wheel-throwing techniques (centring, pulling walls, shaping)

·      Creating simple pots (bowls, mugs, small vases)

·      Understanding the wheel’s mechanics and maintaining balance

Learning Outcomes:

·      Centre clay on the pottery wheel.

·      Shape and form a basic bowl or cup.

·      Understand the principles behind wheel throwing and practice basic forms.

Topics:

·      Surface decoration techniques (carving, stamping, sgraffito)

·      Application of underglazes and slips

·      Adding texture and design to clay surfaces

Learning Outcomes:

·      Use at least two surface decoration techniques on ceramics.

·      Apply underglazes and slips to enhance the aesthetic qualities of a piece.

·      Understand how texture and design can change the overall feel of a ceramic object.

Topics:

·      Basics of kiln firing (bisque firing, glaze firing)

·      Introduction to glazes: types and applications

·      Understanding the firing process and temperature ranges

Learning Outcomes:

·      Identify different types of kiln firings and their purpose in the ceramic process.

·      Apply glazes to ceramic pieces effectively.

·      Understand the impact of firing temperatures on the finished piece.

Topics:

·       Post-firing surface finishing (sanding, polishing)

·       Display and care of ceramic pieces

·       Introduction to ceramic repair (e.g., fixing cracks or chips)

Learning Outcomes:

·      Understand the methods of finishing ceramic pieces after firing.

·      Learn basic techniques for repairing minor flaws in ceramics.

·      Develop an understanding of how to display ceramic pieces.