Maybe you are in search of a comprehensive list of online pottery classes to hone your skills in making your own ceramics. You are absolutely on the right track.
We have carefully listed out the best online pottery classes for you from the best online learning platforms. In addition, this will give you the ability to learn at your own comfort and pace.
Interestingly, these pottery courses online have both free and paid courses as well. Also, these pottery classes are well-suited for those who are still beginners, intermediates, advanced learners, or experts who want to improve themselves more.
However, before we begin this listing of the best pottery classes online, we will take a look at some important things about pottery. First of all, I will give you a brief overview of pottery and the demands regarding pottery classes.
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What is the Meaning of Pottery?
Pottery is the process and product of the formation of vessels and other objects with clay and other ceramic materials that are fired at high temperatures to give them a hard and permanent shape.
The main types are earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. The place where these products are made by a potter is also known as pottery.
Certainly, pottery is made by shaping a ceramic body (often a clay body) into objects of the desired shape. Heating it to high temperatures (600–1600 °C) in a campfire, pit, or kiln.
This triggers reactions that lead to permanent changes, including an increase in the strength and stiffness of the object.
Many ceramics are purely functional, but many can also be viewed as ceramic art. However, a clay body can be decorated before or after firing.
For instance, clay-based pottery can be divided into three main groups: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain.
These require an increasingly specific clay material and increasingly higher firing temperatures. All three are made in glazed and unglazed varieties for different purposes. All of them can also be decorated with different techniques.
What is the Difference between Pottery and Ceramics?
Pottery is a special form of ceramics that only uses clay. Ceramics, on the other hand, can involve working in a variety of mediums such as tile, glaze, zirconia, and silica, all of which can be molded by heating.
Good pottery Classes near me [ceramic classes near me]
Maybe you are wondering about your location for pottery. We have made it so that you can still get the pottery classes near you. Also, when you search for pottery classes near me or pottery near me, the search is tailored to your country or a particular region.
You can check out some pottery classes here.
Some Pottery Classes in Utah
Maybe, you want to get hands-on training in pottery classes in Utah County. Here, we have brought to you an amazing list of pottery classes in Utah. One of the classes there is hosted by Petersen Art Center, which has an amazing 4.6 rating from 91 reviews.
So, if you really want to get pottery classes within Utah County, then check here.
The Pottery Classes NYC [New York City]
New York City has been a center for digital and scientific skills, but there are still those who engage in pottery. For pottery classes in NYC, We have gathered a list of pottery classes in NYC to help you shape your art career while in New York.
Obviously, you will get your hands dirty while learning to create your own ceramics in these pottery classes in NYC
Whether you want to be inspired by famous sculptures or just want to make handmade tableware, you can glaze and bake the pottery you make in class to take home. And who knows? If you really like ceramics, maybe one day your artwork will appear in the major art galleries in New York.
If you want to see the pottery classes in NYC, check here.
Best Pottery Classes in Chicago
The Chicago Ceramic Center is the ideal destination for both novice and experienced sculptors. Their facilities are located in the historic Bridgeport Art Center, five miles south of downtown Chicago. With ample parking, they offer weekly pottery courses for adults and workshops for children.
Check it out here
Pottery Classes for Kids
Also, there are pottery classes for kids, unlike pottery classes for adults. These pottery classes for kids help them with the basic things to know based on their level of understanding. The instructor will teach them to be careful with clay as some will play around with it.
So, we can say that it is for children from the ages of 6 and upwards who can join the pottery online kids classes.
The possibilities with clay remain endless at home, and instructors guide the kids step by step through each new project and encourage them to add their own creative flair.
The pottery classes for kids? Sign up here!
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Best 10 Pottery Classes in Los Angeles
Yelp.com provides a wide range of pottery classes in Los Angeles which are so interesting and inviting. Below are the top 10 pottery classes in Los Angeles from Yelp.
- POT
- Bitter Root
- Throw Clay LA
- Good Dirt LA
- Full-Circle Pottery
- Still Life Ceramics
- Cobalt And Clay Ceramic Studio
- Peach Tree Pottery
- Echo Art Studio
- Toros Pottery
See the classes here
Pottery Classes Houston, TX
Here also, Yelp listed some amazing pottery classes in Houston and also, pottery wheel classes for you to learn. I scanned their site and pottery class gallery to find these top 10 pottery classes in Houston, Texas. Below are the pottery courses…
- Foelber Pottery Gallery & Studios
- Potter’s Wheel
- Serenity Studios
- Potters’ Place
- The Mad Potter
- Honey Art Cafe
- Ceramic Store of Houston
- Forth and Nomad
- Fire It Up Pottery & Art Studio
- Art Class & Wine Glass
Check here for the classes.
Also read: 18 Best Free Excel Courses & Classes Online With Printable Certificates [2023]
5 top Pottery Classes in India
There are pottery classes in India as well and I will be giving you a comprehensive list below just in case you want to know.
These are the 5 best Pottery Classes in India for Viator travelers:
- Wheel Pottery Workshop
- Jaipur’s Famous Blue Pottery – A Workshop
- Delwara Handicraft Experience
- Pottery Workshop around Jodhpur
- Hands-on experience at Pottery Town Bangalore
See all Pottery Classes in India on Viator.
Top 7 best pottery Classes in London, UK
In the act of pottery, London has not been left out as there has been an increase lately in pottery in London.
Ceramic Art London had one of its biggest events in March 2018, and later in September of the same year, Barbican Open Fest saw huge crowds gather for a chance to browse the Turning Earth ceramic market.
If you stay in London, here is the best list of pottery classes in London to enroll.
#1. SkandiHus Pottery Studio
Your instructor Stine will take you to her studio for 12-week pottery courses for all levels from beginners to advanced where you can get a real idea of the joys of playing with clay.
Over the weeks you’ll learn hand-building techniques including pinch pots, slabbing, coiling, and how to combine them.
You’ll also get expert hands-on tuition on the pottery wheel (not in a creepy ‘Ghost’ way!). You’ll then finish off your pieces by trimming and glazing them, and at the end of the course, you’ll leave with lots of lovely wonky creations.
The classes are for a maximum of 12 people, so you get plenty of attention, but also the freedom to experiment. Surrounded by Stine’s beautiful designs, you can create your own Skandihus-inspired pieces or simply freestyle.
The vibe of the class is focused, but relaxed: you start by learning the techniques, and then you can have coffee, listen to music, and chat with your fellow potters while you work.
It’s a fluid and productive way to start your weekend or spend an evening. And for those who sit at the computer all day, it’s a pleasure to get a little dirty and create something with your hands.
Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to exercise if you still have to quit your day job.
This is one of the best pottery classes London has.
#2. Turning Earth E10
With a studio under the arches in Haggerston and a huge plant-filled second space in Leyton, Turning Earth is also a thriving open-access members’ studio (and it runs great courses).
It’s the perfect place whether you’re a beginner who wants to see what it’s all about or are aiming to take your potting to the next level.
#3. Peckham Levels
If you haven’t picked up a piece of clay since school, fear not. The Kiln Rooms in Peckham offer one-off five-hour taster sessions and four-week beginners’ courses where you can learn all the basic techniques and see if pottery is for you.
Best for beginners
#4. Kana London
Ana Kerin’s east London studio space produces handmade ceramics and holds occasional workshops in its ‘Kana Clay Parlour’.
Is your kitchen looking a little drab? Make your own set of tableware at Kana with guest teacher Sinead Axworthy.
Over five weeks, you’ll create something to eat off, a vessel to drink from, table decoration, and two other small dining items.
All of which will teach you plenty of techniques and give you the perfect excuse to throw a dinner party.
With all these, you will be sure to get one of the best pottery classes London has to offer.
#5. Crown Works Pottery
If you want to get to grips with the devilishly difficult wheel, taking one of the intensive throwing courses at this Bethnal Green studio should sort you out.
Book on to a day or weekend course and you’ll soon be having your very own ‘Ghost’ moment.
#6. Ceramics Studio Co-op
This New Cross artist-run cooperative wants to help make ceramics more accessible. As well as running 12-week courses, they also teach specific one-off workshops on throwing, glazing, and using the kiln to help you hone your skills and build up your confidence.
Artist-run ceramics studio with regular workshops for novice potters.
#7. Clay Time Pottery Studio
Clay Time Pottery Studio is a pottery studio where you can make your own creations from scratch, paint something pre-made, or build on basic pottery skills.
If you’re better with a paintbrush than a pottery wheel, visit this not-for-profit community studio for one of its drop-in sessions.
It provides the prebaked pieces and the decoration is up to you.
You now have a comprehensive list of pottery classes in London to choose from. Have fun buddy! But it’s a time to get our hands dirty… Lol.
The best pottery classes for beginners
If you remember, I said that this list of pottery classes is mostly for beginners, then intermediate and advanced learners. So, if you are a beginner this list of pottery courses suits you well. Just take any course on the list and start learning.
The instructors assume that you don’t have prior knowledge which allows them to teach you from scratch. In addition, this list of best pottery classes online has both free and paid courses as I told you earlier as well.
Ok, having seen some of the offline pottery courses in different locations, let us now look into the best pottery classes online.
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Top 11 Best Online Pottery Courses & Training in 2023 with Certificates
#1. Wheel-Thrown Pottery for Beginners (Udemy)
If you have absolutely no experience with clay, this course is for you. Not only will you learn practical clay throwing techniques, but you will also gain insight into specific clay concepts to understand the art of pottery in an intellectual way.
This course was created by ceramics teacher Trent Berning and is one of 4 art courses that Trent offers. With over 25 years of experience in the ceramic arts, he has his own book on cycling techniques, as well as a regular follow-up of students for his workshops across the United States.
In terms of course material, students will learn the technical concepts of ceramic wheel art as well as practical methods for making clay art on a wheel.
Through a mixed-media learning experience with video demonstrations, text, and skill improvement exercises, you will learn about the process of creating a recording studio. focuses on the artistic details and textures of your design.
Generally, this is a good starting point for someone looking for a comprehensive, technical introduction to pottery.
This course has contributed to my growth and development in ceramics. Trent has a very easy teaching style to follow and to implement instructions. I would recommend this course.
Samantha Farrell
Benefits of the course
- You will learn and have an understanding of the technical processes, concepts, and practices of pottery wheel-based art.
- The student will be able to throw basic forms on the pottery wheel.
Course rating: 4.6 out of 5
#2. Whereby to Make Pottery on the Wheel for Beginners (Udemy)
In this course for beginners and advanced learners, you will learn step-by-step how to create a pot and plate from start to finish.
Amazingly, this is one of 15 courses Steve McDonald offers on Udemy, where more than 250,000 students have taken his courses.
During his 18 video lectures, students will learn methods for tossing, cutting, drying, and trimming the pot and plate design on the wheel.
What’s special about this course is that Steve offers additional advice on the biggest mistakes beginners make when creating pots and plates.
This class inspires me with the ease in which this is done, I’m going out and buy a pottery wheel, clay, and have some fun.
Gary Douglas
Benefits of the course
- Set up your permanent or temporary pottery studio.
- Arrange your wheel, water, and tools, and get ready to throw a pot.
- Throw a pot on the wheel from start to finish.
- Choose the right clay.
- Centre your clay on the wheel.
- Pull up the walls of your pot.
- Shape the walls and finish the rim of your pot.
- Cut your pot free from the pottery wheel.
- Throw a plate and trim a foot into the bottom of it on the pottery wheel.
Course rating: 4.7 out of 5
#3. Make Easy Handmade Ceramic Pottery Dishes Without Fancy Tools (Skillshare)
Third on my list is a great beginner pottery class that will walk you through the basics of making freeform ceramic dishes. You also don’t need a pottery wheel or extra equipment – just your hands and an open mind! Lol…
Ceramic artist Cindy Guajardo guides you through working with wet clay in these easy-to-follow handmade clay techniques for beginners.
Moreover, Cindy has been in the clay arts for almost 20 years and has extensive experience teaching both kids and adults. so with that, you are incompetent hands.
Some of the video lessons taught include clay-crafting supplies and tools (suited for beginners), how to roll an even wet-clay slab, methods for texturizing clay, cutting shapes, and how to print and format designs on the clay. Additionally, you’ll be guided to make a free-form pottery dish.
This pottery class from Skillshare can be accessed for free with the 2-month free trial. Overall this is a great introductory course for beginners with minimal tools.
Really enjoyed this class. I like the option of alternate choices of clay (ie: polymer) for those of us who do not have access to a firing oven. In the past, I was also challenged when using the pottery wheel and the instructor did not believe in hand building. I can’t wait to start the first of many projects with you as the teacher………Thank You
Renata Taylor
Benefits of the course
- It is widely rated as a beginner course
- You will have access to the course for free
- You can chat with the instructor should there be confusion
- The instructor has an experience in art for closely 20 years
Course rating: 4.5 out of 5
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#4. Pottery on the Wheel for Beginners – Throwing Clay, Beginning Ceramics (Skillshare)
This is another great course from Skillshare that teaches beginners basic techniques for using a pottery wheel.
Definitely, in these guided videos, you’ll learn how to operate a pottery wheel from start to finish. From simply throwing a clay pot to using advanced design techniques to bring its edges and surfaces to life.
Steve McDonald guides you through the skills of the beginner and advanced pottery wheel. A ceramic artist for over two decades, Steve shares most of his work on his website pottery-on-the-wheel.com as well as in his paperback, Pottery on the Wheel for Beginners…
Lastly, in this course, you will learn how to set up the wheel, methods of throwing, centering, pulling walls and shaping a pot, cutting off the wheel, and quick trimming.
In addition to the simple production of pots, this course covers the methods of edge finishing, spouts, corrugated edges, and a three-step process for making your own pottery mug.
For a beginner like myself, this was a great class taught by a regular guy. The instruction was clear and easy to understand and it makes me feel a little more confident about using my wheel.
Janie Brown
Benefits of the course
- This course is a beginner and intermediate-level class
- You’ll learn how to operate a pottery wheel from start to finish
- You will also have 2 months of free access free for the course
Course rating: 4.3 out of 5
#5. Wheel-Thrown Pottery II, Intermediate Skill Builders (Udemy)
This course provides a comprehensive, well-organized, and detailed approach to the many aspects of the potter’s wheel as an artistic form of expression.
Students learn through text video demonstrations and skill-building exercises that guide people through a strategic hierarchy for advanced training techniques.
The class moves through wedge tips, bottles, mandrels, pouring containers, lids, cutlery, double-walled shapes, individual sections, and more.
The pottery class is a thoughtful combination of artistic orientation and basic educational goals for art students. Wheel-Thrown Pottery II is designed for people of different levels of experience who want to improve their pottery education.
Finally, this course will allow you to speak knowledgeably about the medium, understand the techniques, outline clear training steps, and expand your knowledge of the pottery wheel.
Benefits of the course
- Understanding of intermediate technical processes, concepts, and practices of pottery wheel-based art.
- The course will be accessible on mobile and your TV
- The course also has a 30-day money just in case you were not comfortable with the class
Course rating: 4.9 out of 5
#6. Handbuilt Pottery Techniques and Projects (Udemy)
In this course, you will learn manual construction techniques to make objects and pots out of clay.
If you are a creative-thinking person who enjoys doing different things and wants to learn new techniques to bring your ideas to life, this course is for you.
In this course, we will use clay and some very simple hand tools. That means you don’t have to buy expensive equipment.
This course is perfect for you if
- You are a person wanting to make different things using your creative imagination or
- A student looking to increase your understanding of clay as a material or
- You are interested in claymation or you are a budding sculptor or a pottery artist or
- A homemaker wanting to make good use of time or
- Someone who just wants to have some creative fun
A very good introduction to building with clay. Short, concise videos were perfect for holding attention.
Gun Penhoat
Benefits of the course
- Able to create clay pottery using three easy hand-building techniques.
- Give interesting textures to your objects
- Create animal sculptures with ease
Course rating: 4.4 out of 5
#7. 4 Time-Tested Ways to Make Pottery Without Potter’s Wheel (Skillshare)
Without having to purchase professional pottery equipment, this course is ideal for aspiring potters who want to learn simple handcraft techniques for making pots and other items out of clay.
Mandar Marathe is a complete fine artist, illustrator, designer, and sculptor. He offers 35 courses on the Skillshare platform in which artistic techniques from painting and drawing to ceramic art are taught.
In 22 in-depth lessons spanning over an hour, Mandar guides you through creating four beautiful clay objects without the need for fancy tools.
You will start with a simple pot design and work your way up to a sculpture of a turtle and a rabbit. Additionally, the content includes manual pottery techniques for lifting, and building plates, and coils, as well as tips for creating a textured pot.
Benefits of the course
- You will learn pottery without any professional pottery equipment
- All the lectures in this course are delivered in HD video format
- Free 2 months access
Course rating: 4.4 out of 5
#8. Introduction to Pottery (Craftsy)
In just over an hour, you will learn the basics of ceramics through the 13 easy-to-understand lessons.
Aside from the common technical methods, the unique aspect of this beginner pottery class is Sarah’s mindful guidance on how to find project inspiration and how to think about pottery for aesthetic and practical reasons.
Meanwhile, Sarah Wolf is the founder of Wolf Ceramic Studios in Oregon, USA. She studied ceramics at the Oregon College of Arts and Crafts and shared her homework for sale in her studio.
Now she is leading beginners in this online pottery class.
Definitely, you will learn ceramic casting methods to make your own mug. The topics range from furnishing the clay and studio space to balancing the clay on the wheel to making the cup using opening, drawing, and crafting methods, as well as the final glazing.
Course rating: 4.5 out of 5
#9. Wheel-Thrown Pottery III, Advance Techniques (Udemy)
First of all, this course provides a comprehensive, well-organized, and detailed approach to the many aspects of the potter’s wheel as an artistic form of expression.
Students learn through texts, video demonstrations, and skills development exercises that guide individuals through a strategic hierarchy for advanced training techniques.
The class moves through wedge tips, bottles, mandrels, pouring containers, lids, cutlery, double-walled shapes, individual sections, and more.
The pottery class is a thoughtful blend of artistic orientation and basic educational goals for art students. Wheel-Throwing Pottery III is designed for people of different levels of experience who want to improve their pottery education.
This pottery course will allow you to speak knowledgeably about the medium, understand the techniques, outline clear training steps, and expand your knowledge of the ceramic lathe.
Benefits of the course
- You will have an understanding of advanced technical processes, concepts, and practices of pottery wheel-based art.
- Access on mobile and TV
- Over 5 hours of on-demand video lesson
Course rating: 4.5 out of 5
#10. Online pottery courses online (SkillShare)
SkllShare proves to be the best platform for learning pottery. Why this I so is that they have a wide range of pottery classes of any level.
In addition, the courses focus on a specific topic of pottery just in case you are on the lookout for a particular method of making ceramics.
Just like some of them I listed above, there are lots of them here that will help you make quite an easy choice on a particular area in pottery skill.
Also, SkillShare allows you to get 2 months of free access to the courses on their platform which is a bonus for you.
Course rating: 4.6 out of 5
#11. Wheel-Thrown Pottery: Personalizing Your Work (Udemy)
This course provides a comprehensive, well-organized, and detailed approach to the many aspects of the potter’s wheel as an artistic expression.
Students will learn to develop skills through texts, video demonstrations, and exercises that guide people through techniques to personalize their ceramic work.
This class covers handmade tools, distortions, forming processes, slips, and more.
The class is a thoughtful mix of artistic orientation and basic educational objectives for art students. Wheel-Throwing: Personalizing Your Work is designed for people of different levels of experience who want to enhance their ceramic education.
The course allows you to speak knowledgeably about the medium, understand techniques, outline clear training steps, and expand your knowledge of the potter’s wheel.
Benefits of the course
- Understanding technical processes, concepts, and practices for personalizing wheel-thrown pottery.
- Full access to mobile and TV
- 2.5 hours on-demand video
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Course rating: 5 out of 5
Conclusion
This list of the best free online pottery classes and courses was well sorted to give you an ultimate unique list. The courses on this list are also good for beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners.
In addition, the pottery classes here have both free and paid courses. But for the free courses, it’s just for 2 weeks. But the advantage of the paid courses is that you will be issued a certificate.
Lastly, you can share your experiences in pottery or your challenges for help. If this blog post was of help to you, share it with friends on social networks.
Cheers!
