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 focuses 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. The on-demand format is designed for the educational needs of the ceramicist.Â
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
Intro to Clay Bodies is now available in Spanish!
Lecture Slide Notes – Now Available!
Level up your online learning with Matt’s official lecture notes!  These comprehensive notes are the slides behind Matt in the videos.  They cover all the main topics discussed in the videos, providing a valuable resource for review and study.  These notes will transform your learning experience as you’ll have all the key information at your fingertips.
Enrollment
Choose from 3 great learning options!
Full Guided ExperienceÂ
Offered every April + July
$600
Next class with Matt’s expert guidance begins April 1, 2026 and includes 4 months of access.
If you want to experience the fully guided course that includes everything:
- Matt’s expert guidance for 4 months.
- 14 total – 1 to 2 hour on-demand lectures – watch as many times as you like.
- Optional curated lab experiements that accompany the lectures for an in depth learning experience. List of materials and equipment is provided upon enrollment.
- Live bi-weekly online Q&A discussions with Matt and the other students on Wednesdays 8pm and Thursdays 10am EST/NYC
- Ask Matt your questions directly on the Course Discussion pages.
- Early, immediate access to the Lectures Only Intro to Clay Bodies course to get a head start until the course officially begins
- Supplemental readings and extra resources to support your learning.
- Access to the CMW Thinkific App for on the go learning!
- Downloadable copies of the lecture slides.
- Patreon program for continued access beyond 4 months.
- Certificate of Completion
- Cost:Â Â $600 (free 3 month payment plan available at checkout)
- Enroll Here – April 2026!
Self Guided Lectures Only
Lifetime Access
$400
Includes lifetime access to the on demand lectures.
If you want the self guided lectures only with lifetime access:
You can start RIGHT NOW!
This option includes:
- Lifetime access
- 14 total – 1 to 2 hours on-demand lectures – watch as many times as you like.
- Access to the CMW Thinkific App for on the go learning!
- Certificate of Completion
Cost:Â $400 (USD) lifetime access
Note this options does not include the labs, live Q&A discussions or supplemental resources (downloads, etc…). Only the on demand lectures are included.
Self Guided Lectures Only
Monthly CMW Membership
$60/month
Includes monthly access to the on demand lectures. Pay as you go per month. Cancel anytime.
If you want the self guided lectures only with monthly access:
You can start RIGHT NOW!
This option includes:
- Monthly access that renews each month. Cancel at anytime.
- 14 total – 1 to 2 hours on-demand lectures – watch as many times as you like.
- Access to the CMW Thinkific App for on the go learning!
- Certificate of Completion
Cost:Â $60 per month (USD)
Note this options does not include the labs, live Q&A discussions or supplemental resources (downloads, etc…). Only the on demand lectures are included.
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 Full Course clay class typically runs twice a year in January and July. You can check when the next class is scheduled above. If you want to start today, check out the Self-Guided option. Â
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.
