The 6-Week Hand-Building: Next Steps
Jun 4th - Jul 9th (Thursday, 6:00 PM-8:00 PM)
Service Description
This 6-week course is the perfect next step in your clay journey. Step away from the screens, drop the daily grind, and return to our ego-free studio. For six weeks, you'll build on your foundational hand building skills to tackle a multi-day figurative sculpture in a raw, welcoming environment designed for you to experiment and push your limits. Moving beyond basic functional forms, you'll learn how to breathe life into clay, constructing a human or animal figure using just the clay and your own two hands. The Details: Length: 6 weeks (Meets 1x a week and builds skills each session) Class Time: 2 hours each week Seats: Intimate 9-person class size Price: $350 per person Bonus: Complimentary open studio hours are included while the studio is open so you can practice your new skills! What We Cover: *Building Larger Figures: Apply your foundational hand building skills to a multi-week sculptural project. We'll guide you through the process of designing, proportioning, and constructing a larger, hollow human or animal figure of your choosing. The Art of the Attachment: It’s time to tackle complex additions. You will learn how to safely and securely attach heavy components like arms, legs, tails, and heads. We will focus on structural integrity, hollow building, and moisture management to ensure your figure stands strong. Surface Narrative & Texture: Bring your character to life! We will explore advanced texturing techniques for rendering fur, scales, hair, or fabric. You'll also learn decorative methods like Sgraffito (carving through slip) and Mishima (inlaid slip) to add intricate, storytelling details to your piece. Alternative Finishing & Color: Master the art of finishing a sculptural form. We’ll move beyond basic dipping to experiment with underglazes for precise color application, use washes to highlight your carved textures, and practice layering to achieve professional, high-depth finishes. *(Note: Students are encouraged to come to the first class with a few sketches or ideas for their figure) Perfect For: Returners: Anyone who has touched clay before and wants a welcoming, no-judgment space to continue taking the basics to the next level. The Burnt-Out: Anyone looking to swap their screen time for a weekly, hands-on creative ritual to wind down. "The journey of creation is challenging but it's your own. Don't compare or judge the work of others." — The Throwdown Core
Upcoming Sessions
Cancellation Policy
1. Cancellation & Refund Policy ​ 6-week courses Our 6 week courses are in high-demand and involve significant preparation. Cancellations made 10 days or more before the first day of the course will receive a 100% refund. No partial refunds or credits will be issued once the course has started. ​ Workshops For one time workshops, a full refund will be issued if cancellation is made at least 10 days in advance. Missed workshops are non-refundable and cannot be credited or rescheduled. ​ Membership There are no refunds for Membership. To cancel, members must submit a written cancellation request to hello@throwdownceramics.com at least 30 days prior to their next billing date. Membership will remain active during the 30-day notice period and no partial refund will be issued. ​ Members are responsible for all charges incurred until the cancellation period is complete. 2. Missed Classes & Attendance ​ Because our curriculum is sequential and our classes are typically at capacity, we cannot offer "make-up" sessions, prorated refunds or credits for individual missed classes. ​ No-Show Policy: If you miss a class, we are unable to offer a refund, credit or a "catch-up" private lesson. Late cancellations are treated as missed classes. Class Absences: We cannot offer a make-up class, your instructor will do their best to provide brief recap at your next attended class to keep you on track. Emergency Situations: We understand life happens. In the event of a documented medical emergency or bereavement, please email us at hello@throwdownceramics.com to discuss eligibility for studio credit, issued at our discretion. 3. Studio Cancellations ​ Throwdown Ceramics reserves the right to cancel any class due to low enrollment, instructor illness, or unforeseen studio issues (e.g., kiln failure or power outage). ​ In the event of a studio-initiated cancellation, participants can be offered studio credit or the option to reschedule into another available session. Refunds are not guaranteed and will be issued at the studio's discretion. 4. Transferring Your Spot ​ If you can no longer attend but have a friend who wants to take your place, it may be possible to transfer your registration to them at no extra cost.The new participant must complete all required waivers and agreements before attending. ​ 6 Week Courses Transfers are only permitted if requested via email at hello@throwdownceramics.com at least 24 hours before the firsts class. Once the course has started, tran
Contact Details
hello@throwdownceramics.com
2350 Saratoga Street, Alameda, CA, USA