12 Lessons – Intensive Korean Style Wheel Throwing Course
Our 12-Lesson Intensive Korean Wheel Throwing Course is designed for potters of all levels, including complete beginners. This immersive 3-month program is perfect for anyone with a passion for pottery, whether you’re looking to turn it into a fulfilling hobby or even envisioning running your own studio one day.
In this course, you’ll master traditional Korean pottery techniques while gaining hands-on experience with practical studio operations. Through guided instruction and personal practice, you’ll build essential skills like spiral wedging, even-wall throwing, Buncheong slip decoration, and Korean-style trimming. You’ll also dive into important studio practices, from clay recycling and pugging to electric kiln loading and firing.
With a carefully curated balance of technique-based lessons and independent practice, this course ensures that each student builds confidence in their craft and studio skills. Classes are kept to a maximum of 8 students to ensure personal guidance. By the end of the program, you’ll be equipped with both the artistry and knowledge needed to progress your pottery journey and create with purpose and precision.
In this course, you will learn to:
- Develop the skills to create even-walled cylinder forms and classic Sabal bowls using authentic Korean methods.
- Learn the art of trimming with Korean L-shaped tools, practicing on a variety of chucks to enhance your technique.
- Create and Apply Surface Decoration. Experiment with Buncheong engraving, gwiyal brushwork, and Deombeong dipping, enriching your pieces with unique, traditional finishes.
- Build Studio Operation Skills: Gain experience with kiln loading/unloading, recycling clay, pugging, glaze mixing, and essential firing techniques.
- Take Home up to 3kg of fired works.
36 hours of instructional class time, this 3-month course provides a thorough education in both the artistry and technical aspects of pottery. Our small class size (maximum of 8 students) ensures each participant receives personalized guidance to make the most of each lesson.
Meet Your Instructor: Cindy Koh
This course is led by Cindy Koh, a passionate and experienced ceramics artist with over two decades of teaching and professional expertise. Cindy holds a ceramics degree from the USA (Class of ’95) and has been teaching pottery since 2000. Recently, she further honed her skills under the guidance of Master Kwak in Korea, gaining in-depth knowledge of traditional Korean wheel throwing techniques and studio practices.
Cindy’s teaching philosophy is grounded in fostering each student’s potential, combining classic techniques with personal guidance. Her classes encourage students to embrace both the artistry and technical skill involved in pottery. With her warm approach, Cindy is committed to supporting students in refining their skills, achieving their artistic goals, and building a solid foundation for a lifelong passion—or even a professional career—in ceramics.
Course dates:
Saturday Class (930am – 1230pm): 22nd February – 10th May 2025
Thursday Class (130pm – 430pm): 4th Sept – 20th Nov 2025
NOTE: This is an intensive workshop with a fixed class schedule. If you miss a class, you can replace on a Thursdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
**We’re pleased to offer an **interest free instalment payment plan, 6-months/ 12-months** exclusively for Public Bank credit card holders. If you’re interested in this option, let us know when you register.
Lesson #1 | Overview of the course and Korean pottery styles. Basics of spiral wedging and clay preparation. Practice centring and creating a simple Sabal bowl |
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Lesson #2 | Throwing Basics Focusing on even-walled Sabal bowl forms. Building muscle memory and practicing consistency. |
Lesson #3 | Refining Form I Throwing more Sabal bowls. |
Lesson #4 | Refining Form II Throwing more Sabal bowls. |
Lesson #5 | Refining Form III Throwing more Sabal bowls. Start to keep bowls. |
Lesson #6 | Introduce basic trimming techniques with the Korean L-shaped tool. Making of the L-shaped tool. |
Lesson #7 | Introduction to Surface Decoration Apply Buncheong slip and practice simple gwiyal brushstrokes. Experiment with Deombeong dipping for unique finishes. |
Lesson #8 | Introduction to Cylindrical Forms Emphasis on control and consistency for upright forms. |
Lesson #9 | Production of cylinder forms. Making a chuck on the wheel. |
Lesson #10 | Trimming on a hump. Apply Buncheong slip and practice simple gwiyal brushstrokes, Deombeong dipping for unique finishes. Carve and engrave designs onto leather-hard pieces. |
Lesson #11 | Glazing and Final Touches Final glazing for all pieces. Learn tips for achieving even and aesthetic glaze finishes. |
Lesson #12 | Kiln Loading and Firing Basics Hands-on practice with electric kiln loading/unloading. Introduction to firing schedules and kiln safety. Studio Wrap-Up and Project Critique Review key techniques learned throughout the course. Individual critique and guidance on finished projects. |
* Each lesson is a 3-hour class
Clay | “Free-flow” of clay |
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Firing | 3kg fired weight is based on fired items (extra fee applies if total weight of final product exceeds 3kg) |