Introduction to Clay Bodies
Knowing what is in your clay body is the first step to making your clay body work for you.
Course Overview
Introduction to Clay Bodies Online is a 4-month course focused on the science behind clay bodies. No more myths and legends about how clay bodies work, only facts and science. The course provides information and science to help everyone utilize clay bodies in ways that will help them take control of their materials and make their studios the best they can be.
This course aims to develop a basic understanding of the following:Â origins, chemical composition, properties, and function of clay types including earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain, the processing and usage of clay formulas, clay formulas: analysis and performance, applications of clay formulas: throwing, construction and casting and the tenants of heat and temperature and clay flaws: identification and correction.
Introduction to Clay Bodies consists of 14 on-demand video lectures presented over 3 months with a month to review. The on-demand format is designed for the educational needs of the ceramicist. Students will engage with the teacher and other students in bi-weekly, live, online discussions. We will discuss the questions from the class that arise, as well as explore experiments and the studio in general. In addition, students are provided with discussion forum for each lecture, so they may start the conversation, there and then.
Sample Video
Course Outline
- Introduction to Clay Bodies – Geology
- Studio Performance – Clay mineralogy / Clay types
- Geology – More Geology
- Chemistry – Fluxes / Fillers / Material selection
- Clays I – Types of Clay
- Clays II – Rheology; Drying and shrinkage
- Fluxes and Flint – Thermal properties / Quartz
- Other Fluxes and Fillers
- Working with Clays – Mixing; Casting slips
- Firing I – Thermal properties
- Firing II – Firing / Heat work
- Clay Flaws – Physical properties / Defects
- Dispersants, Density and Calculators – Alternative Bodies / Processes; Low Temperature Bodies
Course Announcements
Pay as you go with our new monthly CMW membership!
Our convenient new payment option for Lectures Only Intro to Clay Bodies allows you to start at any time that works best for you at your own speed and on your own schedule. It includes immediate and unlimited access and can be managed through your account settings.
Enrollment
Choose from 2 great learning options!
Full Course Experience
$600
Next class with Matt’s expert guidance begins January 1st
If you want to experience the full course:
- The class session will officially begin January 1st, but you can enroll now to get early free access to the lectures to get a head start!
- Full Course Experience course includes:
- Matt’s expert guidance for 4 months
- 14 total – 1 to 2 hour on-demand lectures
- Optional curated lab experiements
- Live bi-weekly online Q&A discussions on Wednesdays 8pm and Thursdays 10am EST (NYC time)
- Early, immediate access to the Lectures Only Intro to Clay Bodies course to get a head start until the course starts
- Supplemental readings
- Access to Course Discussion pages to ask questions about class content
- Downloadable copies of our lecture materials
- Patreon option for continued access
- Certificate of Completion
- Cost:Â Â $600 (free 3 month payment plan available at checkout)
- Enroll Here!
Self Guided Option
$30/month CMW Membership
You can begin right now. Enroll and start learning today!
If you want just the self guided lectures:
You can start RIGHT NOW!
Self Guided option includes:
- 14 total – 1 to 2 hours on-demand lectures
- Certificate of Completion
Cost:Â $30/month for as long as you want or need.Â
Note this option does not include labs or live Q&A discussions
Instructor
Meet Your Instructor Matt Katz
Matt Katz has been teaching for years at world class institutions including The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Rhode Island School of Design and Harvard University.
Course Reviews
What Students are Saying
★★★★★
“Hey, just a quick message to say how fantastic your course is, I am only 5% through but learning so much. Love the style, love the module set up, love the clarity of the information. I will recommend to all my potter friends and just wanted to say a big thank you.”
~
Simon, Student – Dec 2021
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Your Most Pressing Questions
When are your clay classes held?
Our clay class runs twice a year in January and July. Note due to our 2023 Summer travel schedule, there will be no July 2023 session.
Are you going to talk about…
Let me stop you there. We are going to talk about EVERYTHING.
Temperatures? Yes? Clay Flaws? You bet your buttons. Atmosphere? You better believe it. Materials? No way around it. At the end of this course you will have a thorough understanding of ALL aspects of clays.
Do you talk about glazes in this class?
There is some discussion of glazes in the class, but this is a clays-centric class. We have a class exclusively on glazes – Understanding Glazes.
Are you going to teach about commercial clays?
Our goal is to help you make your work better. It is possible to make exciting dynamic clays at ALL temperatures. Even if you are just working in your garage or community studio, with knowledge, a scale, and materials, we will help you understand your work better.
