4-Day Beginners – Roz Wallis 1 - 4 Sep
This four-day throwing course is designed for complete beginners, or those very early in their wheel-throwing journey. Set in a calm studio environment, the focus is on building strong foundations, confidence, and ease at the wheel.
Over four days, you’ll be guided through the fundamentals of throwing — wedging and centring clay, developing height, pulling walls, and forming simple functional pieces such as cylinders, cups, bowls, and open forms. Teaching is clear, supportive, and paced, with regular demonstrations and plenty of individual guidance.
This course offers a focused introduction to wheel throwing, balanced with time to slow down and enjoy the setting.
Small group size.
About the instructor — Roz Wallis
Roz is a ceramic artist, teacher, and founder of Chiswickpots, established in 2014. What began as a personal practice has grown organically into a thriving working studio and pottery school, located in the leafy riverside setting in Chiswick, West London.
Alongside her own studio practice, Roz runs the pottery department at Chiswick Art School. She teaches wheel-throwing to all levels, as well as hand-building and a range of specialist ceramic workshops, with an emphasis on material understanding and confident making.
Over the years, Roz has developed a particular specialism in raku and alternative, glaze-less firing methods. Her own work often focuses on larger thrown forms, drawing inspiration from the quiet strength of Hans Coper’s silhouettes, combined with a colour palette influenced by the Mediterranean landscape and sea.
Daily Structure
Day 1 – Introduction to Clay & Centring
We begin with an introduction to clay and the wheel. The day includes demonstrations on wedging and centring, followed by guided practice focused on building confidence at the wheel. You’ll work on developing height and learning to throw basic cylinders, laying strong foundations for the days ahead.
Day 2 – Cylinders & Tall Forms
Building on the first day, we’ll extend these core skills and begin working towards taller, more refined cylindrical forms. Demonstrations and practice will focus on small vases, mugs, tea bowls, and other cylinder-based forms, with an emphasis on control, consistency, and confidence.
Day 3 – Open Forms & Bowls
On the third day, we’ll move into open forms. Demonstrations will cover bowls and pouring bowls, exploring how to open out clay, control curves, and create balanced, functional shapes.
Day 4 – Trimming & Finishing
The final day is dedicated to trimming and refining your work. You’ll learn how to trim leather-hard pieces, refine foot rings, and bring your forms together into a cohesive, finished collection of work.
All materials and firings included.
What’s Included
• Unlimited clay for use during the course
• Use of all tools and materials
• Slip decoration materials
• Instruction, demonstrations, and individual guidance
• Glazing and firing of selected final pieces
• Shipping of finished work (see below)
Lunch is not included. The studio is located in the center of the village, close to a wide variety of cafés and restaurants offering options to suit all budgets and dietary requirements. A roof terrace is also available for students who prefer to bring their own lunch.
Daily Schedule
10:30 – 13:30 Morning session
13:30 – 14:30 Lunch break
14:30 – 17:30 Afternoon session
Shipping of finished work
The workshop fee includes shipping for one standard box per participant, based on the workshop level.
Included Box Sizes
Beginner workshops: One box up to 40 × 40 × 40 cm
At the end of the workshop, students will select their final pieces. These pieces will then be glazed, fired, carefully packed, and prepared for shipment. All selected work must fit within the included box size for the workshop level.
Shipping is limited to one box per participant.
FAQ
Do I need any prior experience?
No. This workshop is designed specifically for beginners.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes that can get dirty and closed-toe shoes.
How many pieces will I make?
The focus of this workshop is on learning technique and developing confidence at the wheel rather than producing a set number of pieces. Over the first three days, students will create multiple forms as part of the learning process. On the final day, each student will select and refine their strongest work, resulting in a small, thoughtfully finished collection.
When will I receive my finished work?
Finished pieces will be shipped once glazing and firing are complete.
Is this a fast-paced course?
The workshop is structured but relaxed, with plenty of demonstrations and individual support.
Cancellation Policy
Due to the limited number of places available and the advance costs involved (materials, firing, shipping, and instructor time), full payment is required to secure a place on the workshop.
Cancellations made 21 days or more before the workshop start date will receive a full refund.
Cancellations made within 21 days of the workshop start date are non-refundable.
In cases of illness or unforeseen circumstances, we may offer a credit toward a future workshop, subject to availability.
No refunds are given for no-shows or partial attendance.
We strongly recommend participants ensure they are able to attend all workshop dates before booking.
Additional Notes
Finished work is shipped once glazing and firing are complete.
We take great care in packing; however, we are not responsible for delays, damage, or loss once the work is with the courier.
Any customs duties or import taxes for non-EU destinations are the responsibility of the recipient.
This four-day throwing course is designed for complete beginners, or those very early in their wheel-throwing journey. Set in a calm studio environment, the focus is on building strong foundations, confidence, and ease at the wheel.
Over four days, you’ll be guided through the fundamentals of throwing — wedging and centring clay, developing height, pulling walls, and forming simple functional pieces such as cylinders, cups, bowls, and open forms. Teaching is clear, supportive, and paced, with regular demonstrations and plenty of individual guidance.
This course offers a focused introduction to wheel throwing, balanced with time to slow down and enjoy the setting.
Small group size.
About the instructor — Roz Wallis
Roz is a ceramic artist, teacher, and founder of Chiswickpots, established in 2014. What began as a personal practice has grown organically into a thriving working studio and pottery school, located in the leafy riverside setting in Chiswick, West London.
Alongside her own studio practice, Roz runs the pottery department at Chiswick Art School. She teaches wheel-throwing to all levels, as well as hand-building and a range of specialist ceramic workshops, with an emphasis on material understanding and confident making.
Over the years, Roz has developed a particular specialism in raku and alternative, glaze-less firing methods. Her own work often focuses on larger thrown forms, drawing inspiration from the quiet strength of Hans Coper’s silhouettes, combined with a colour palette influenced by the Mediterranean landscape and sea.
Daily Structure
Day 1 – Introduction to Clay & Centring
We begin with an introduction to clay and the wheel. The day includes demonstrations on wedging and centring, followed by guided practice focused on building confidence at the wheel. You’ll work on developing height and learning to throw basic cylinders, laying strong foundations for the days ahead.
Day 2 – Cylinders & Tall Forms
Building on the first day, we’ll extend these core skills and begin working towards taller, more refined cylindrical forms. Demonstrations and practice will focus on small vases, mugs, tea bowls, and other cylinder-based forms, with an emphasis on control, consistency, and confidence.
Day 3 – Open Forms & Bowls
On the third day, we’ll move into open forms. Demonstrations will cover bowls and pouring bowls, exploring how to open out clay, control curves, and create balanced, functional shapes.
Day 4 – Trimming & Finishing
The final day is dedicated to trimming and refining your work. You’ll learn how to trim leather-hard pieces, refine foot rings, and bring your forms together into a cohesive, finished collection of work.
All materials and firings included.
What’s Included
• Unlimited clay for use during the course
• Use of all tools and materials
• Slip decoration materials
• Instruction, demonstrations, and individual guidance
• Glazing and firing of selected final pieces
• Shipping of finished work (see below)
Lunch is not included. The studio is located in the center of the village, close to a wide variety of cafés and restaurants offering options to suit all budgets and dietary requirements. A roof terrace is also available for students who prefer to bring their own lunch.
Daily Schedule
10:30 – 13:30 Morning session
13:30 – 14:30 Lunch break
14:30 – 17:30 Afternoon session
Shipping of finished work
The workshop fee includes shipping for one standard box per participant, based on the workshop level.
Included Box Sizes
Beginner workshops: One box up to 40 × 40 × 40 cm
At the end of the workshop, students will select their final pieces. These pieces will then be glazed, fired, carefully packed, and prepared for shipment. All selected work must fit within the included box size for the workshop level.
Shipping is limited to one box per participant.
FAQ
Do I need any prior experience?
No. This workshop is designed specifically for beginners.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes that can get dirty and closed-toe shoes.
How many pieces will I make?
The focus of this workshop is on learning technique and developing confidence at the wheel rather than producing a set number of pieces. Over the first three days, students will create multiple forms as part of the learning process. On the final day, each student will select and refine their strongest work, resulting in a small, thoughtfully finished collection.
When will I receive my finished work?
Finished pieces will be shipped once glazing and firing are complete.
Is this a fast-paced course?
The workshop is structured but relaxed, with plenty of demonstrations and individual support.
Cancellation Policy
Due to the limited number of places available and the advance costs involved (materials, firing, shipping, and instructor time), full payment is required to secure a place on the workshop.
Cancellations made 21 days or more before the workshop start date will receive a full refund.
Cancellations made within 21 days of the workshop start date are non-refundable.
In cases of illness or unforeseen circumstances, we may offer a credit toward a future workshop, subject to availability.
No refunds are given for no-shows or partial attendance.
We strongly recommend participants ensure they are able to attend all workshop dates before booking.
Additional Notes
Finished work is shipped once glazing and firing are complete.
We take great care in packing; however, we are not responsible for delays, damage, or loss once the work is with the courier.
Any customs duties or import taxes for non-EU destinations are the responsibility of the recipient.