Throwing Big with Tony Hall

Timings: - Saturday 11th July, 10am - 5pm - Sunday 12th July, 10am - 2pm Details: In the 1970's Tony trained at La Borne France once famous for producing big salting pots, for it's wood fired kilns and even now for it's stoneware pottery. When he returned to Britain Tony transferred his skills to throwing big ware terracotta at Whichford Potteries in Warwickshire developing throwing techniques with Jim Keeling. Since the early 2000's Tony has built his pottery studio in Knucklas on the Welsh Marches where he continues to makes his terracotta garden pots and stoneware ceramics. Your workshop will begin with a demonstration from Tony, giving you a chance to see the process and get an idea of what you will be mastering later in the day. After a break you will take to your wheels and begin throwing, learning how to join multiple parts to create a large-scale vessel. You will learn how Tony prepares his clay - ensuring it is the perfect consistency for centering larger weights. On the second day you will spend some time finishing up and refining your pieces. If the weather allows, you will work outside practicing some plein-air pottery! (Don’t worry - if it’s raining then we will move to work inside the studio.) Firing: Firing is not included in the course, if you have access to your own kiln then you can take away any work you make on the day. If you would like to pay for your pieces to be fired with us, please select this option at checkout or let a member of the team know on the day. As you will be making larger pieces, any fired work will be for collection only. Practical Information: As a guide, to do this course we would recommend that you are comfortable centering at least 2kg (4lbs) of clay. You will be shown how Tony uses a flamethrower in his throwing practice, though heat guns will be available for students. Please make sure any long hair is tied back and that you wear appropriate clothing. Lunch is not included in your course so please bring something along for Saturday. We will have plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits available for you throughout the workshop. *Photos of Tony Hall were taken by Gilles Pouliquen