Beginner Wheel Throwing Course

Learn to throw on the pottery wheel and create pieces you’ll be proud of in this 5 week course!


Shontal Ceramic
Shontal Ceramic
5.0 (172)

5 x 2.5 hours Class size 1 to 6 guests       $730 (PayPal Pay in 4 available)

Week 1: Foundations – Learn the Basics

Week 1: Foundations – Learn the Basics

In your first session, you’ll be introduced to the pottery wheel and the essential foundations of wheel throwing.

You’ll learn how to wedge clay, centre it on the wheel, and create your very first cylinder—the foundation of all pottery forms.

We’ll start with small amounts of clay to build confidence and control, while focusing on hand positioning and technique.

You’ll also have the option to decorate your pieces using coloured slip.


Week 2: Creating Forms – Bowls, Mugs & Morer

Week 2: Creating Forms – Bowls, Mugs & Morer

In week two, you’ll build on your foundation skills and start creating different forms on the wheel.

You’ll learn how to shape bowls, create a belly for mugs, and begin exploring more expressive forms using slightly larger amounts of clay.

This session focuses on improving your control and understanding how to manipulate clay to achieve different shapes.

I’ll also share tips and techniques to help you create more balanced and confident pieces.


Week 3: Refining Forms – Improve & Expand Your Skills

Week 3: Refining Forms – Improve & Expand Your Skills

In week three, we continue building on your skills by refining the forms you learned in the previous session.

You’ll focus on improving consistency, control, and shape while creating more intentional pieces such as small vases and refined bowls.

If time allows, you may also explore making a plate and working with slightly larger amounts of clay.

This session is all about practice, repetition, and gaining confidence on the wheel.


Week 4: Trimming & Detailing – Refine Your Pieces

Week 4: Trimming & Detailing – Refine Your Pieces

In week four, you’ll refine the pieces you created in previous sessions by learning how to trim and shape them to their final form.

You’ll use trimming tools to clean up the base, improve balance, and give your work a more professional finish.

You’ll also learn how to attach handles to mugs and explore surface decoration techniques such as sgraffito and coloured slip.

This session focuses on turning your best pieces into beautifully finished work, ready for glazing.


Week 5: Glazing & Finishing – Bring Your Pieces to Life

Week 5: Glazing & Finishing – Bring Your Pieces to Life

In the final session, you’ll return to glaze and decorate your bisque-fired pieces.
You’ll learn a variety of glazing techniques including brush-on and dip glazing, as well as exploring underglaze and oxide washes to add depth and character.

You’ll also have the opportunity to experiment with creative finishes such as bubble glazing, sponge effects, and textured surfaces.

At the end of this session, your selected pieces will be glaze-fired and prepared for collection, completing your pottery journey.


Ready to take your pottery skills to the next level?
This 5-week beginner wheel-throwing course is designed to help you build confidence on the pottery wheel through guided practice, repetition, and hands-on learning.
If the scheduled time doesn’t work for you, feel free to message or email me — private bookings or alternative times may be available depending on my schedule.
Whether you’re completely new or have tried wheel throwing before, this course focuses on developing strong foundations and improving your technique over time.
This course is designed to encourage practice and experimentation. You’ll create multiple pieces throughout the course as you develop your skills.
At the end of the course, you will select your best pieces to be fired and glazed — learning how to recognise strong work is an important part of the pottery process.
Additional pieces can be fired for an extra fee, or students are welcome to arrange their own firing externally if preferred.
Why join this course?
  • Small group classes for personalised guidance
  • A relaxed and supportive learning environment
  • Ideal for beginners who want more than a one-off workshop
  • Focus on skill-building, not just making
Important information
Minimum 2 participants required for the course to run
What you'll get
  • All clay and tools
  • Step-by-step guidance in a small group setting over 5 weeks
  • Firing and glazing for up to 5 selected pieces
  • Hands-on experience on the pottery wheel
  • Improved skills in centring, shaping, trimming, and glazing
  • A deeper understanding of pottery techniques and materials
Knowledge required
No prior experience is required. This course is designed for complete beginners, as well as those who have tried wheel throwing before and would like to build confidence and improve their skills over multiple sessions.
What to bring
  • Wear comfortable clothing that can get a little messy
  • Short nails are recommended for wheel throwing
  • You’re welcome to bring your own apron if you prefer
Session repeats

This class series runs over 5 consecutive sessions, at the same time every week.

Location

Stafford, QLD

Exact location is masked for privacy. You'll automatically get the specific address after booking.

Beginner Wheel Throwing Course location
Your teacher

Shontal Ceramic
Shontal Ceramic

5.0 (172)
female Women-owned

My name is Shontal, I am a passionate ceramic artist based in Stafford, Australia. I was born in Jordan and moved to Australia in 2001.
My love for ceramics dates back to my childhood when I used to accompany my mother to ceramic classes in Jordan. My journey into the world of ceramics began in May 2021, starting with hand building techniques, but I soon found myself fascinated by the art of throwing on the wheel. Being so in love with pottery, I took the bold step of acquiring my own wheel and began perfecting my throwing skills at my home studio.
My dedication to mastering the art of ceramics led me to explore glazing techniques with a keen interest in Amaco and Maco glazes. While progressing in my pottery journey, I unexpectedly found myself drawn back to hand building, finding it to be an incredibly relaxing and therapeutic experience. Slab hand building became my canvas for crafting unique and beautiful designs, especially in creating captivating mugs. More recently, I have ventured into the realm of coil hand building, resulting in the creation of some stunning large bowls.
Initially, I attended various schools in Brisbane, such as Mas And Meik and Indooroopilly Ceramic Studios, to grasp the basics of ceramics. However, as my skills evolved, I took the initiative to self-educate myself further by exploring different techniques online.
Japanese pottery has captured my heart, and I have started incorporating the Japanese style into my ceramic creations. My artistic inclinations lean toward the allure of matte glazes, intriguing textures, and the art of stamping, carving, and utilizing the sodium silicate technique.
I prefer using white stoneware clay, which I skilfully enhance with Iron Oxide and Cobalt Oxide stains, adding depth and character to my pieces.
In summary, my artistic journey is one of passion, dedication, and continuous exploration. My ceramics beautifully showcase my love for Japanese influence, intriguing textures, and captivating glazing techniques. As I continue to evolve and innovate in my home studio, my work is sure to inspire and delight anyone who appreciates the beauty of handmade ceramics.
class V48I01Z33L 34c052b7f77f35dccea660a6ce51910d production brisbane Brisbane QLD AU brisbane