If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
how do I begin?
Dear all!
i am a deep lover of ceramics but know not where to start! What do you suggest are the top 5 first things to do to get to know this art at a beginner's level? Thanks! julie |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
how do I begin?
wrote in message oups.com... Dear all! i am a deep lover of ceramics but know not where to start! What do you suggest are the top 5 first things to do to get to know this art at a beginner's level? 1 - Find a good teacher. Check your local community college and maybe, if you're in the right city, the local city arts department. 2 - Patience. That's a huge thing to learn. 3 - Wedging. 4 - technique - don't do anything sloppily. Take your time, and be willing, should you decide to throw, to cut your first 30 or so pots down from the top so that you can see where any problems lie. 5 - repetition - the more you do the same technique, and the more often, the faster you'll get better at it. But really, #1 and 2 are the most important, in my opinion. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
how do I begin?
"Scoop" wrote in message news:qWCVf.50973$oL.9804@attbi_s71... wrote in message oups.com... Dear all! i am a deep lover of ceramics but know not where to start! What do you suggest are the top 5 first things to do to get to know this art at a beginner's level? 1 - Find a good teacher. Check your local community college and maybe, if you're in the right city, the local city arts department. 2 - Patience. That's a huge thing to learn. 3 - Wedging. 4 - technique - don't do anything sloppily. Take your time, and be willing, should you decide to throw, to cut your first 30 or so pots down from the top so that you can see where any problems lie. 5 - repetition - the more you do the same technique, and the more often, the faster you'll get better at it. But really, #1 and 2 are the most important, in my opinion. Scoop has it sussed. Find classes, IMO pottery is not something you can learn from a book, you need a teacher/tutor with experience. Yup patience too is a must. However you do have the most important thing you love ceramics/pottery and once you enjoy the thrill of making stuff for yourself you will be even more hooked. Good luck. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
how do I begin?
Practice, practice, practice - and learn how to relax. If you lose a piece,
it is no biggy. It wedges back up and can be thrown or used again (coil,slab,etc.). There are dozens of different processes in pottery. Learn and enjoy as many as you feasibly can. If the throwing isn't working so well today, do recycling / read about glaze formulation / try making some tools / or whatever else might fit the moment. In other words, learn how to shift gears but be sure to invest some time in the craft in one fashion or another every day that you can. Others have already recommended taking a class or finding a teacher. That will make life easier and I imagine you already have or you wouldn't know that you have a love of the craft. The only thing I would add to that is if you have a teacher that claims there is only one right way to throw, wedge, glaze, etc - find someone else to work with because they are telling you a falsehood. And Welcome to the Joy! Donna wrote in message oups.com... Dear all! i am a deep lover of ceramics but know not where to start! What do you suggest are the top 5 first things to do to get to know this art at a beginner's level? Thanks! julie |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
how do I begin?
I started with a class and haven't looked back since.
I have many many books - all which describe how to throw, but they don't beat watching the 'real-thing'....You need to get the 'hands-on' approach to really grasp it - books afterwards are great for reference and ideas. Above all you'll learn so much from this chat group - the ppl here are so helpful. Enjoy and have fun - it's great therapy and a fantastic de-stresser. JM |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
how do I begin?
J M wrote:
I started with a class and haven't looked back since. I have many many books - all which describe how to throw, but they don't beat watching the 'real-thing'....You need to get the 'hands-on' approach to really grasp it - books afterwards are great for reference and ideas. Above all you'll learn so much from this chat group - the ppl here are so helpful. Enjoy and have fun - it's great therapy and a fantastic de-stresser. JM Like everybody sez, find a class and use it.... you'll get access to lots of clay, glazes, your firing will get done for you (usually) and all you've got to do is concentrate on learning how to do it... Plus you'll be surrounded by other people who may know more and may know less but are there to discuss with... Hugs Eddie |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
how do I begin?
Eddie Daughton wrote:
J M wrote: I started with a class and haven't looked back since. I have many many books - all which describe how to throw, but they don't beat watching the 'real-thing'....You need to get the 'hands-on' approach to really grasp it - books afterwards are great for reference and ideas. Above all you'll learn so much from this chat group - the ppl here are so helpful. Enjoy and have fun - it's great therapy and a fantastic de-stresser. JM Like everybody sez, find a class and use it.... you'll get access to lots of clay, glazes, your firing will get done for you (usually) and all you've got to do is concentrate on learning how to do it... Plus you'll be surrounded by other people who may know more and may know less but are there to discuss with... Hugs Eddie And give you interesting ideas to do with the weird shapes as well.... and cause other interesting ideas to make weird shapes on purpose. .... Bruce (took my first class in January. I'm hooked..) |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
how do I begin?
1) My very first (and I admit, my favorite) pottery teacher always
stressed that we "don't get attached to the results." It is important, early on and forever, to realize that not all of your pots will make it. Some will be dropped and misshappen when they are still wet, some will get bumped and cracked when bone dry, some will break in the first firing, some glazes will crawl, or not be the color you wanted, or not fit the clay and crack. (I could go on, but this is getting depressing!) So just remember, in the begining it is more important to learn the craftsmanship well, than to produce lots of work. 2) Think in terms of the physical properties and limitations of clay as a material. Let the clay teach you about these limitations. It is all about learning that perfect balance between strength and gentleness of your touch. Learn how to work with these limitations, and don't fight them (unless you get real brave down the road ) 3) Look at as many pots as possible. Go to your local library and see if they have back issues of ceramics monthly. Search for pots online. This will keep you motivated as well as exposing you to the vast array of techniques and possibilities. Three things that haven't been mentioned already are all I can think of. (Scoop is really right on) The best of luck to you, and keep us updated on how you are doing! Anna www.freewebs.com/annaspots |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
how do I begin?
Hi Julie,
Eddie's comments about joining a class are so right. Pottery is people! It's a form of comunication like any art, and working with others fires the imagination; you learn by their succeses and failures as they will from yours and make some good friends doing so! Andy |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Such generosity (:))
WOW! What a response, and how kind and cool you are with sharing your
advice and skills. (D) I will be enrolling this week at the local college that holds ceramic classes... YAY! I must say I am very inspired by you and hugely excited about getting started, learning about all these techniques and letting you know down the line about my experiences and my own lessons!!! Thanks again - I am very grateful...() |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
repost - Let the Hug list begin! | Queen of Squishies | Quilting | 2 | June 18th 05 02:58 PM |
let the HUG LIST begin....! | Queen of Squishies | Quilting | 25 | June 15th 05 12:14 PM |
Baseball swap is about to begin | Marilyn | Quilting | 1 | February 28th 05 05:10 PM |
Where and when did the new format begin? | [email protected] | Needlework | 6 | December 18th 04 02:19 AM |
OT - Let the beg-fest begin! | Kathy Applebaum | Quilting | 11 | December 13th 03 06:35 PM |