Bill van Gilder Pottery
Setting a Foundation for Success
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$147
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Online pre-recorded lessons
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Unlimited access
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Over 5 hours of videos
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Opportunity to ask questions
Scroll down to see the course curriculum.
Curriculum
Introduction
The workshop you're about to experience is modeled after the live in-person workshops I’ve presented over many years across America and beyond. But this workshop, because it's in video format, allows me to cover many more subjects and in far greater detail than if I was working live.
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So, because there's so much more information covered, I highly recommend that you take notes along the way… especially when you get to a part of the workshop that gives you answers and solutions to a clay challenge that you're experiencing. And of course, implementing and practicing the solutions you find leads to progress and success.
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And that's where the fun comes in! You see the solution you've been looking for and say to yourself, ‘I got this!’ and can't wait to get into the studio. And that's what it's all about!
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Another good thing, because of how the workshop is presented, you can move through it at your own pace. You might want to binge-watch it at first and then watch again and again the parts that address your clay issues: like seeing centering options, throwing taller, making good fitting lids and great plates… and a lot more. The point is, because you have unlimited access to the workshop forever, you can absorb it at your own speed. There are no time constraints. And Kris and I are here to help you. You can e-mail us your tech-support questions at:
support@billvangilderonlineworkshops.com
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You can also take advantage of my private community to share your journey and ask questions of your fellow workshop participants. I'll be monitoring the group with Kris's help and although I won’t be there to answer each and every question, if I see one that keeps coming up over and over again, I’ll jump in and address it.
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Again, welcome to the workshop! Now, let's get let’s get started.
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Get to Know Me
Everyone has a story to tell about how they got into clay. And they're all different and they’re all interesting.
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So, here I share my story with you which begins when I was a 15-year-old high school student. Now more than 50 years later having traveled the world to learn and teach the craft of clay, the story continues.
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I hope you enjoy your journey as much as I have mine.
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Influences and Ideas
Where do we get our visions, our ideas of what we want to make in clay? For me there are lots of sources and in this info-lesson of where to look I'll share with you my main sources of influence. It's an eclectic mix of ‘Wow, look at that!’ which collectively leads me onward. There’s so much to see and record as influences and it's truly never ending if one looks outward. So, here's my outward look…
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Curious Tools
All potters need a few tools on hand when making pots and in this segment of the workshop I'll share with you some of my most useful tools. Some of them common and some of them are a bit odd. Curious? Let me show you…
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Preparing Clay
Using well prepared clay can contribute greatly to your success at the wheel. Wedging versus kneading? They're different. Air pockets? They're not helpful.
Watch as I break down and simplify the how-to of good clay preparation… the basics of where it all begins.
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Throwing Basics
In this 4-part lesson I'll demonstrate and describe in detail how to make 2 types of pots: the simple bowl and a cylinder-shaped cup. And each demo begins with centering options for you to try.
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Plus: hand and finger positions, water and tool use, moving pots from the wheel head, finishing and trimming steps, and lots of handle-making options… and much more. So, let's get started…
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Making Sets: Repetition Throwing
Once you've mastered the basics of throwing, making sets or multiples of pots that look alike is often the next challenge.
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In this 4-part lesson I'll show you how to simplify the process: getting prepared for a ‘run’ of pots, the quality and weights of clay, measuring options, and the rhythm of making are the foundations. You'll see 3 different types of pots made and finished in repetition: the spoon rest as a beginning exercise, the soup/cereal bowl as a slightly more challenging effort, and a cylinder-shaped utensil jar with handles as a skillful accomplishment. Lots of measuring techniques, throwing, and finishing tips here!
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Bonuses​
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Glaze and Slip Recipes - Cone 6
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High Fire Reduction Glazes
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Wood Fire Slips and Glazes
