Eight-Session Traditional Pottery Course Plan

Course Overview

This eight-session course introduces students to the fundamental techniques of traditional Afghan pottery-making. Students will learn how to prepare and wedge clay, center clay on the wheel, shape vessels, remove vessels from the wheel using a traditional technique, refine the bottoms and feet of vessels, and prepare finished pieces for the next stages of the pottery process.

The course is based on traditional Afghan pottery knowledge and techniques that I learned from my father and developed through many years of working with clay.

Session 1 — Understanding and Preparing the Clay

Main Focus: Clay preparation and wedging

Students will learn why properly prepared clay is essential for successful pottery-making.

Topics include:

• Understanding the basic properties of clay
• Preparing clay for wheel throwing
• Proper wedging techniques
• Making the clay uniform in texture and consistency
• Removing trapped air pockets
• Understanding how properly prepared clay affects the shaping process

Practice:
Students will practice wedging the clay until it becomes consistent, workable, and ready for the wheel.

Session 2 — Centering Clay on the Wheel

Main Focus: Centering

Students will learn one of the most important skills in wheel throwing: properly centering the clay.

Topics include:

• Placing the clay firmly on the wheel head
• Using the hands and body correctly
• Establishing control over the clay
• Recognizing when the clay is properly centered
• Understanding how centering affects the entire vessel

Practice:
Students will repeatedly center clay on the wheel until they develop greater control, balance, and confidence.

Session 3 — Opening and Beginning the Vessel

Main Focus: Opening the centered clay and establishing the basic form

Students will learn how to begin transforming the centered clay into a vessel.

Topics include:

• Opening the center of the clay
• Establishing the thickness of the bottom
• Creating the initial interior space
• Maintaining even pressure
• Beginning to raise and shape the walls

Practice:
Students will practice opening the clay and establishing the basic structure of a vessel.

Session 4 — Pulling and Shaping the Walls

Main Focus: Building the form of the vessel

Students will learn how to raise the walls and develop the shape of a vessel.

Topics include:

• Pulling the clay upward
• Controlling wall thickness
• Maintaining even pressure
• Creating different forms and proportions
• Using both hands together effectively
• Developing control and consistency

Practice:
Students will make a simple vessel while focusing on even walls and controlled movement.

Session 5 — Traditional Method of Removing the Vessel from the Wheel

Main Focus: My traditional working method

Students will be introduced to my traditional method of working directly on the wheel head rather than using a removable round bat.

Topics include:

• Working directly on the wheel head
• Understanding when the vessel is ready to be removed
• Using two fingers to carefully separate the vessel from the wheel
• Handling the vessel without damaging its form
• Understanding the difference between this method and commonly used bat techniques

Practice:
Students will observe and practice the technique under guidance, with an emphasis on patience and careful handling.

Session 6 — Smoothing and Refining the Bottom

Main Focus: Bottom preparation and traditional tools

When the vessel reaches approximately 30 percent dry and is becoming leather hard, students will learn how to work on the bottom of the vessel.

Topics include:

• Checking the condition of the clay
• Smoothing and leveling the bottom
• Introduction to the traditional Afghan tool called “Tabak”
• Understanding how the tool is made and used
• Refining the bottom of bowls, plates, and other vessels

Practice:
Students will practice smoothing and refining the bottom of their vessels using appropriate tools and techniques.

Session 7 — Trimming and Refining the Foot

Main Focus: Trimming

When the vessel reaches approximately 40–50 percent dry and is at the appropriate leather-hard stage, students will learn the trimming process.

Topics include:

• Removing excess clay
• Refining the bottom of the vessel
• Creating and shaping the foot
• Maintaining balance and proportion
• Creating a clean and finished base
• Understanding how the foot supports the overall form

Practice:
Students will trim and refine their vessels according to their individual forms.

Session 8 — Final Refinement and Preparing the Vessel for the Next Stage

Main Focus: Final preparation before decoration and firing

The final session will focus on completing and refining the vessels made during the course.

Topics include:

• Checking the overall form
• Refining edges and surfaces
• Cleaning the vessel
• Checking the bottom and foot
• Understanding proper drying
• Allowing the vessel to reach the bone-dry stage
• Preparing the finished greenware for the next stage of the pottery process

Students will also review the complete process they have learned throughout the eight sessions, from preparing the clay to completing the vessel.

General Information About Decoration

Decoration is an important part of traditional Afghan pottery, but it will be taught separately from this eight-session course.

After the vessel has completely dried, the surface can be carefully prepared with water and a sponge. A white surface layer made from china clay (kaolin) and quartz may then be applied before decoration.

Traditional Afghan pottery can include floral designs, geometric patterns, natural elements, and other traditional motifs. After decoration, the vessel can proceed to bisque firing, followed by glazing and the final firing.

These stages will be covered separately in a dedicated decoration and finishing lesson.

Course Goal

By the end of the eight sessions, students will have a strong foundation in the traditional process of making pottery on the wheel. They will understand the importance of properly preparing clay, centering, shaping, removing the vessel from the wheel, refining the bottom, trimming the foot, and preparing the vessel for the next stage.

Most importantly, students will gain an understanding that pottery is not simply about making a shape. It is a process that requires patience, control, observation, and respect for the clay.

Through these traditional Afghan techniques, students will have the opportunity to experience a pottery tradition that has been passed from one generation to another.