Are you a beginner who has never touched clay but wants to have a go at pottery? Do you have top-notch crafting skills and have completed some online pottery classes but wish to elevate your skills? Do you want to create something in clay that looks professional and gives off the healing energies from nature?
With the help of pottery, you can benefit from nature and clay’s healing properties and also create beautiful ornamental/utility items. So, given the vast array of benefits, you can consider enrolling in a pottery course to master the art.
Top 8 Pottery Lessons
- Wheel-Thrown Pottery for Beginners – [Udemy]
- Handbuilt Pottery Techniques and Projects – [Udemy]
- How to Make Pottery on the Wheel for Beginners – [Udemy]
- Pottery, Clay & Leaves: Make a Beautiful Unique Leaf Platter – [Udemy]
- Pottery Lessons Online – [Skillshare]
- Online Ceramics courses – [Domestika]
- Pottery courses – [The Ceramic School]
- Free Pottery Classes – [ClayShare]
How Did We Select These Paid and Free Online Pottery Classes?
With a quick search, you can find several online pottery classes . But for a student new to this skill, finding the best match can be overwhelming. So, to simplify the task, we scouted the web and found some of the top courses. Now, the question is, how did we select these courses?
So, while searching the web, we picked the top 50 classes to learn pottery online. Then we individually screened these courses and compared them on four parameters:
- Offerings from the class
- Reviews and ratings
- Instructor’s background and experience
- Certification included
It helped us to cut down the list from 50 to 25. But, we knew 25 pottery making classes online was also a long list for interested learners. Hence, we decided to narrow down the list. So, we forwarded the list to the top pottery professionals from across the globe. And that’s what brought us to the below-listed top eight lessons.
Let us get started with these courses to learn pottery online one by one.
8 Best Pottery Lessons Online
1. Wheel-Thrown Pottery for Beginners – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.9 |
| Who should take this class? | This online pottery course is for people with varying skill levels and individuals who hope to pursue their ceramic education. With this class, you can knowledgeably speak about the medium, expand your knowledge, understand different techniques, and outline clear forming steps.
In addition, this is one of the best online pottery classes for:
|
| Enrolled | 529 students |
| Duration | 3 hours of on-demand video |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Instructor | Trent Berning |
| Cons | The instructor rushed rapidly through the techniques for throwing plates or bowls in this online pottery course. |
In these pottery lessons online, you will find a well-organized, thorough, and detailed approach to several aspects associated with the potter’s wheel. This course teaches you to use the wheel and create pottery as a mode of expression.
Throughout the class, you learn via video demonstrations, text, and skill-building exercises that walk you through a planned manner right from the basics to advanced methods.
In this course, your progress from the studio safety and setup and construction processes to artistic aesthetic choices. It is a thoughtful blend of fundamental educational goals for art students seeking guidance to learn pottery online.
Learning Outcomes
This online pottery course will help you learn the following:
- Understanding of the concepts, technical processes, and practices of pottery wheel-based art
- Students will be able to throw elementary forms on the pottery wheel
Prerequisites
These are beginner-friendly pottery lessons online. So, you need no prior experience for this class. But, you must have access to a pottery wheel and clay if you wish to partake in the exercises.
Review Kiichi T.
It was pretty much step by step especially centering and those basic techniques are well organized.
2. Handbuilt Pottery Techniques and Projects – [Udemy]
| Rating | 3.9 |
| Who should take this class? | These are perfect online pottery classes for you if:
|
| Enrolled | 416 students |
| Duration | 1.5 hours of on-demand video |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Instructor | Mandar Marathe |
| Cons | It is one of the best online pottery classes for kids. They are super simple for intermediate-level individuals. |
In this online pottery course, you will discover several hand-building techniques to make pots or objects easily with clay. So, if you are a creative person who enjoys making different things and likes to learn newer methods to give life to your ideas, this can be a good class for you.
In this session, you’ll use clay and some fundamental hand tools. Hence, there’s no need for you to invest in any expensive equipment. The lectures in these pottery lessons online are delivered via HD video format, and you can see how the instructor makes beautiful things with clay.
Currently, the instructor is attempting to add extra lectures on mask making and animal sculpture. You will receive an email update as and when he includes these lectures in this .
Learning Outcomes
These are one of the best online pottery classes for:
- Creating clay pottery with three easy hand-building techniques
- Creating animal scriptures effortlessly
- Giving spectacular textures to the objects
Prerequisites
For these pottery making classes online, you should possess an eagerness to learn and an interest in learning.
Review Gun P.
Very good introduction to building with clay. Short, concise videos were perfect for holding attention.
3. How to Make Pottery on the Wheel for Beginners – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.4 |
| Who should take this class? | It is an excellent class to learn pottery online for plenty of reasons:
However, if you wish to learn the process of firing pottery once thrown, it is not the purpose of these pottery lessons online. Also, an experienced potter will find the classes elementary. |
| Enrolled | 584 students |
| Duration | 1 hour of on-demand video |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Instructor | Steve McDonald |
| Cons | There is limited content in these pottery making classes online. |
Did you constantly have the urge to learn to do pottery? If yes, now is your chance. In these online pottery classes, you would be able to learn to throw a wheel and a pot, from pulling the clay out of the bag to removing the pot from the wheel.
It is a step-by-step course that takes you from pulling a piece of clay out to the bag to centering through to cutting your pot off the wheel. The lessons in the class do not help you learn vital skills but also help you find ways to avoid the pitfalls that the students experience when learning to throw pottery.
You will find the video demonstrations of the complete throwing process in this online pottery course. You can watch it repeatedly to better your technique. It can help you throw several pots faster and easier than learning by trial and error.
Learning Outcomes
These are not free online pottery classes. So, you will have to bear a price to buy this class. But, the course has some excellent stuff to learn. A few things you discover in this course are:
- Learning how to buy the right tools for the job for under $10
- Setting up a temporary or permanent pottery workstation.
- Organizing your pottery wheel workspace, your tools, water, and the clay
- This online pottery course gets you all set to throw a pot
- Throwing a pot on the wheel from beginning to end
- Picking the suitable clay is also a vital section these classes
- Centering the clay on the wheel
- Pulling up the walls of the pot
Other inclusions in these pottery making classes online are:
- Shaping the walls and finishing the pot rim
- Cutting your pot free from the pottery wheel
- Setting up a temporary kitchen tabletop studio when you have limited space available
- Setting up a permanent studio when there’s a lot of space available
- Throwing a trim and plate a foot into the bottom of it on the pottery wheel
Prerequisites
It is a beginner-friendly class to learn pottery online. So, if you have access to the clay and pottery wheel, you can follow it along effortlessly. The course assumes you know how to spin and can outfit your workspace with a water bucket and elementary tools like a wooden clay knife, a clay needle, a clay cutting wire, and a sponge.
But, if you do not have these tools handy, you can buy them for about $12 online or at a craft store.
Review Tracey H.
Good tips and clear instructions very helpful for beginners.
4. Pottery, Clay & Leaves: Make a Beautiful Unique Leaf Platter – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.6 |
| Who should take this class? | It is one of the best online pottery classes for:
|
| Enrolled | 99 students |
| Duration | 4 hours of on-demand video |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Instructor | Sonya Wilkins |
| Cons | There is some fluff in this course. |
It is an excellent online pottery course. This class differs from others as the instructor has employed his three years of knowledge and experience in ceramics as a holistic therapist.
He will present you with the most straightforward instructions to make a beautiful, professionally crafted pottery leaf platter or plate and be your guide at every step. Thanks to his enriched knowledge, you will receive the necessary skills to produce nature-inspired pottery after completion of these online pottery classes.
In addition, in this session you will receive ample resources you can copy not merely by making techniques but also so you can recreate the same with an equal or better finish. The instructor’s perspective behind these classes is to make you feel calmer and acquire knowledge and skills.
So, when you take this course to learn pottery online you can take pride in what you create and learn to infuse the same healing energy in your pottery items.
Learning Outcomes
In this online pottery course, you will learn the following:
- How to create a pottery leaf plate or platter with real leaves and clay in a few simple steps
- Understanding what is clay, and how to work effectively with it
- Learning the different types and states of clay
- Kneading and preparing the clay to eliminate air bubbles
- This course has pottery lessons online that cover rolling your clay out with a rolling pin
- Sharing tips to avoid warping and cracks
- Deciding what clay to use based on the object you are making, the function of the item, and the glaze effect you hope to achieve
- Selecting the best leaves to use is also a vital element of these pottery making classes online.
- Applying healing intention during the creative process of
- Overview of the decoration techniques and understanding of how underglazes, oxides, lusters, and glazes work in color pottery
- Hand building with clay
- Applying a leaf impression
- Finishing the edges like a professional
- Use glaze and oxide to color and decorate the platter or plate you are making to achieve a professional finish.
- Pulling a handle of clay and twisting it to create a vine-like handle for your plate or platter
- With this course to learn pottery online you gain info on mixing oxide and applying it to biscuit ware
Prerequisites
For these pottery lessons online you will also need:
- Access to an electric kiln for one stoneware firing to 1250/1260°C and one bisque firing to 1020°C
- Clay, materials, and tools for the project
- A wooden table to work on and a warm room for drying
- Readiness to forage (collect) leaves in nature
- Wearing a dust mask and latex rubber gloves for the glazing section of the course
- Willingness to get your hands and clothes dirty
Review Eva S.
Looking forward to getting inspiration in my pottery work and linking it to my interest in reiki.
5. Online Pottery Classes – [Skillshare]
Skillshare has some of the best online pottery courses. On the platform, you can find both paid and free sessions. However, these do not come with a certification. One of the most standout features of the Skillshare classes is that top experts and professionals offer these classes.
A few of the top courses on Skillshare are:
- The Art of Ceramics: Creating a Modern MugMake a Clay Mug: Handbuilding Pottery for Beginners
- Introduction to ceramics & hand building techniques
6. Online Ceramics courses – [Domestika]
Domestika also has free and paid sessions for pottery making. You can find them in all ceramic categories. Recognized industry professionals draft and offer these classes. You can find both paid and free online pottery classes. If you have the Pro Plus subscription, you will earn a certification with the course.
A few of the top offerings on Domestika are:
- Ceramics at Home for Beginners
- Introduction to Mosaic Artwork
- Introduction to Kintsugi: Repair Your Pottery with Gold
7. Learn Pottery Online With Ceramic School – [The Ceramic School]
The Ceramic School is also a good place to start pottery making. They have a team of top professionals associated with them. So, you will always receive top-notch sessions full of hands-on exercises and activities. They have some of the most affordable courses. So, you can easily learn the art without emptying your pocket.
Some of the pottery lessons online from this platform are:
- Adam Field – How To Make a Lidded Jar with Carved Pattern
- Agnes Husz – Make a wave shape platter with beautiful colored texture on it
- Andrew Clark – How to alter mugs, cups, and tumblers
8. Free Full-Length Classes – [ClayShare]
Do you need a free online pottery course? If yes, you should consider learning with ClayShare. The platform offers several top classes, each better than the one before.
You can browse through their courses and make your selection. Regardless of what you choose, it will be a worthwhile decision. They have options for beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners. So, there is a class for everyone. Every course is broken down into smaller lectures to make learning streamlined.
Some of the best online pottery classes you can get with ClayShare are:
Related creative courses to take your hobbies up a notch: Candle Making | Soap Making | Gardening | Cooking | Jewelry Making
Conclusion
So, these are the top 8 best online pottery courses. Though they are all top-notch classes, we do have a personal favorite. How to Make Pottery on the Wheel for Beginners turns out to be the one that caught our eye among all the others. The pros by far outweigh the cons. These are wholesome courses. So, you will enjoy what you learn.
