Master the fundamentals of the wheel with high-repetition practice and patient coaching. Mornings break down ergonomics, centering, coning, pulling even walls and shaping. Afternoons focus on refining forms, trimming, attaching handles and preparing pieces for bisque and glaze. You’ll also learn reclaim and simple studio workflow so practice stays sustainable. Troubleshooting sessions target common issues like S-cracks, wobble and uneven rims. Leave confident throwing basic forms and knowing how to keep improving after the retreat.
Day 1: (3:00 pm to 5:30 pm) Let’s Get Started
Day 2: (11:00 am to 1:30 pm)
Day 3: (11:00 am to 1:30 pm) Playing with Shapes
Day 4: (11:00 am to 1:30 pm) Adding Your Personal Touch
Day 5: (11:00 am to 1:30 pm) Polishing and Perfecting
The course is spread over five sessions, each designed meticulously to cover various aspects of pottery wheel throwing.
Introduction to the potter’s wheel, tools, and clay. We’ll introduce you to the potter’s wheel, the tools you’ll be using, and the feel of the clay. It’s all about getting comfortable and excited to create!
Making Your First Forms – Refining centering techniques. Learn how to center your clay and shape it into simple forms like cylinders and bowls. This session is all about finding your rhythm on the wheel. Our instructors will help you to get the basics of centering right. Practice till you get perfect. Remember, this is the fundamental step of getting better at working on the wheel, so no compromise, do your best!
Playing with Shapes – Pulling, trimming, and altering shapes. Now that you know the art of centering, begin your journey to creating beautiful shapes. Take your skills up a notch by exploring advanced techniques like pulling clay into elegant shapes, trimming, and altering forms to make them uniquely yours.
Adding Your Personal Touch – Introduction to surface decoration: carving and adding textures. This is where your creativity shines. We’ll show you how to decorate your pieces with carving, incising, and adding textures to give them character.
Polishing and Perfecting – Focus on refining shapes, smoothing surfaces, and final touches. It’s all in the details! Spend this session refining shapes, smoothing surfaces, and putting those final touches on your pieces before they’re ready for firing.
Workshop Highlights:
Dharamkot Studio is a creative retreat nestled in the serene village of Dharamkot near McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh. Positioned high in the Himalayas, the studio specializes in immersive pottery, painting and creative arts retreats that combine mindfulness, clay work, and self-expression in a peaceful mountain setting. Guests can participate in multi-day workshops that weave art-making with introspection, yoga, and meditation. The relaxed environment includes simple accommodations, vegetarian meals, and group classes guided by skilled artists. Ideal for those seeking to disconnect, reconnect with their inner muse, and explore creativity through tactile and reflective practice, Dharamko
The accommodation and studio lie amidst the pine and cedar forest, completely secluded from the hustle-bustle of the town yet easily approachable by road and just a 5-minute walk away from the village. We have single and double-occupancy rooms. We don’t put up strangers together- so you will either have the whole room or share it with someone you bring along.
All the rooms are with attached washrooms, high–speed WiFi, power backup, hot water, electric kettle, heaters/Fan private balcony and modernist aesthetics. You will have a view of the Dhauladhar mountain range from your room!
An in–house cafeteria provides delicious and healthy vegetarian food. Vegan or gluten-free food is also available on request.
All meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) are included in the price.
Apart from our in–house cafe there are many other cafes to explore, just a 7-10 minutes walk away from the retreat centre.
Meals Provided
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Snacks
Diets Catered
Dairy-free
Egg-free
Gluten Free
Vegan
Vegetarian
By Air – Kangra Airport (DHM) is the nearest airport which is around 20 km (50 minutes) from the studio, direct taxi (Rs. 1200/-) to the studio will be available.
By Bus – Overnight journey from Delhi by semi-sleeper bus. The nearest bus station is Dharamshala (8 km), and from the bus station, you can take a taxi (Rs. 600/-) to the studio.
By Train – Pathankot (85km) is the nearest railway station. From Pathankot, you can take public transport to Dharamshala and then a taxi to the Studio. Or you can take a taxi from Pathankot to the studio.
Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled. The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
