Best pottery and ceramic classes online: Make beautiful hand-built art

Funnily enough, pottery and ceramic creations can be spotted just about anywhere in everyday life, whether in the form of your favorite coffee mug or as the rustic vase adorning your dining table. 

With the right tools, mentors, and lots of motivation, you can easily transition from pottery newbie to expert, and start creating unique, hand-crafted pieces for business or pleasure. 

If you’re looking for affordable, creative hobbies to explore and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, keep reading to discover the best pottery classes online! 

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How to choose the best pottery class for you

Regardless if you’re looking to understand the basics of ceramics or aiming to master specific techniques, there is a wide range of online pottery classes designed to meet your needs. 

The challenge may be choosing the best place to start. To help you optimize your browsing time, we’ve jotted down a few crucial factors to consider: 

• Course platforms
• Required supplies
• Class content and projects

Our list of ceramic classes includes content featured on Domestika, Skillshare, and Udemy. Each platform offers unique benefits and conditions regarding subscription options and fees. 

Besides payment details, you may want to consider each platform’s teaching style, provided resources, and course durations before making your pick. 

Checking the supply list required for each class is also an aspect to consider beforehand. After all, it’s impossible to explore these pottery classes if you don’t have access to indispensable materials such as clay shapers, glazing brushes, or molds.

The tools required for lessons will vary from course to course, so checking what materials you’ll need before signing up is always a good idea. Watching class trailers, for example, is a helpful way to learn more before purchasing.

Lastly, when choosing your online pottery and ceramic classes, take a few moments to read through the course description and projects. Ensure you’re selecting a class that will help you evolve no matter where you currently stand as a potter or ceramist. 

Best pottery and ceramics classes online

Are you looking to start creating pottery as soon as possible? If so, you’ll want to check out our top picks for the best online pottery and ceramic classes, listed just below!

Creating Your First Ceramic Vessel

If you’re new to the world of pottery, this beginner ceramic class on Domestika is a great place to start learning! 

London-based ceramist Lilly Maetzig will introduce you to everything you need to know to make your very first ceramic vessel — exciting! Being a starters course, your teacher will thoroughly guide you through the tools you’ll need and how to set up your craft station effectively before creating. 

Read also: What is Domestika? Is it worth it?

From there on, you’ll learn an easy-to-follow method to mold clay, how to approach the firing process, use glaze to enhance your work, and decorate your handmade ceramic items. To put your newfound skills into action, you’ll design a clay flat-slab ceramic vessel or vase for your class project. 

To learn more about the materials required, check out the course trailer by clicking below and enjoy unlimited access to class content upon purchase! 

Creating Ceramics with Character

Are you searching for a pottery course that combines both functionality and creativity? 

Sandra Apperloo, The Pottery Parade founder, is the instructor for this Domestika class and will show you how to create quirky ceramic pieces to impress the most demanding of ceramists!

Read also: 15 best Domestika courses in English (plus 5 in Spanish)

Before tackling your class project, you’ll start with the basics in vase-building: understanding tools and functionalities, shaping techniques, painting, and glazing. You’ll also study how to waterproof ceramics to ensure durability. 

For your class project, you’ll develop a clay bud vase from scratch which you’ll embellish with funky characters to flaunt your creativity and personal style!

This is one of the most engaging pottery classes online and on Domestika. And remember, you’ll be able to keep content forever once you’ve signed up.

Wheel-Thrown Pottery for Beginners

While many online pottery courses tend to skip over this skill, this beginner-level Udemy course focuses on unveiling the wonders of wheel-thrown pottery.

Your teacher Trent Berning will guide you through basic wheel-thrown pottery techniques while covering essential safety guidelines as you learn. Once you’ve got the method down, you’ll have the fundamental know-how to create an array of ceramic items such as cups, plates, and bowls.

Read also: Best Udemy alternatives

Because a pottery wheel is an essential tool for most ceramists, this comprehensive course is a great choice for all skill levels who can benefit from exploring and improving this technique. 

Once you’ve purchased this Udemy course, you’ll have full, unlimited access to all of its content and resources; click below to discover more!

Ceramics at Home for Beginners

This Domestika class is an excellent choice for curious newbies seeking a more in-depth overview of ceramic art. 

Fine Arts graduate Paula Casella Biase will shed some light on clay usage, shaping techniques (including coiling and slabbing), and making reusable plaster molds for future projects. 

Read also: Udemy vs Domestika

You’ll also complete this course with several glazing skills under your belt and will receive tips on using a kiln when working with fired clay.  

Like most pottery classes on this list, this course will invite you to participate in a class project to showcase your talents. The assignment will be creating a stunning set of mushroom-shaped tableware! 

Creation of Molds for Ceramic Reproduction

If you’re flirting with the idea of starting your own handmade pottery business or would like to create a collection of identical ceramics, this is one of the best pottery classes you can take online!

Turning to nature for inspiration, pottery expert Xènia Bas is the star of this Domestika course. The artist will cover the steps to creating molds for ceramic reproductions and guide you through crafting a two-part mold.

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You’ll prepare a ceramic paste to apply casting to the mold, insert incisions, and learn scraping and texture techniques. Once this process is covered, Xènia will encourage you to select an item and create multiple ceramic reproductions with the skills acquired. 

Because you’ll gain lifetime access to this course upon purchase, you’ll be able to watch each lesson at your own pace. Keep scrolling to find more beginner pottery classes on the best online learning platforms for creatives!

The Art of Ceramics: Creating a Modern Mug

If part of your pottery-making dreams is to create handmade mugs, check out this (very) quick, project-based course taught by Helen Levi. 

Though this class might not provide quite as much basic information about clay working techniques in comparison to other pottery classes on this list, it does function as a clear-cut guide for creating your first ceramic mug.

Read also: Udemy vs Skillshare

Additionally, each lesson is less than ten minutes long, making this one of the better options if you’re budgeting time. Still, in just a few brief lessons, you’ll discover everything you need to know about crafting a ceramic mug from scratch.

From preparing your clay to glazing your new piece, these easily consumable lessons will walk you through the process step-by-step, leading you to make attractive ceramic mugs everyone will love.  

Sign up for Skillshare’s yearly subscription to take this course or click below to access an exclusive free one-month trial!

Ceramic Plant Pot Design

Creating your very own plant pots may be the primary reason why you’re exploring your passion for pottery. If so, you’ll love this Domestika ceramic design course!

Whether or not you’ve taken Xènia’s Bas’ class on mold creation for ceramic reproduction listed above, this is a great course to complement many of the options on our list of the best online pottery classes. 

Read also: Best botanical illustration courses

Unlike most plant pot design courses explicitly created for beginner-level ceramists, this class explores modern aesthetics. So, instead of crafting ‘snake rope’ pots with broad, basic designs, you’ll learn how to produce contemporary plant pots that exhibit eye-catching shapes.

Your teacher will introduce seven unique plant pot designs, guiding you through the creation process for each one. You’ll also learn how ceramics designed for plants differ from other types of pottery.

This course is an ideal pick if you’re a fan of plants and gardening (or know someone who is!) and want to spruce up your home with an impressive art piece of your own.

Introduction to Ceramics & Hand Building Techniques

The primary purpose of this brief Skillshare course is to pass on essentials when it comes to hand-building techniques to create a clay vessel. 

Although this class includes an introductory lesson on the basics of ceramics, it isn’t as comprehensive as the other beginner pottery classes in this guide. 

Read also: Skillshare vs Domestika

That said, your instructor Pau Stephens has set up this project-driven course as the ideal follow-up option, especially if you’re just getting started and want to begin practicing and tweaking your skills.

Besides covering essential tips and tricks within a short amount of time, you’ll complete this class by creating a clay vessel or pot of your own — a creative gift any loved one or friend will be happy to receive!

To take this course, sign up for Skillshare’s yearly subscription or click below to test out the platform’s free, one-month trial.

Marbling Techniques for Ceramics

After you’ve mastered clay shaping, glazing, and firing, it’s time to focus on aesthetics.

But learning how to produce beautifully marbled clay pieces can be tricky, even for more advanced-level ceramists. Fortunately, Coralí Lecca Céspedes is here to teach you how to get it done! 

Read also: Check out these free Domestika courses

One of the modules in this class is entirely devoted to clay piece construction and integrity. As such, you’ll discover how to create gorgeously marbled clay pieces while also perfecting many valuable shaping skills.

This course can be purchased individually or as a bundle — check out Domestika Plus to enjoy great discounts and deals on Domestika pottery classes.

Want to know more? Read our comprehensive guide on Domestika to see all that’s on offer.

Creative Ceramics: Give Shape to Your Ideas with Artisanal Technique

The last course on our best pottery classes guide features Spanish artist Lola Giardino who will teach you how to explore your creative side and make one-of-a-kind pieces of art! 

This class begins with an overview of ceramics and its many tools. If you’re unfamiliar with pottery supplies, this course is a great place to learn more about the materials needed for this craft.

Read also: Best sculpting classes 

However, the main highlights of this class include understanding basic hand shaping techniques and exploring creativity.  For your class project you’ll be creating a customized breakfast set — yes, you! 

While your final project might not be technically perfect, it’s bound to express something about yourself. Remember, expression is (at least partially) what art is all about!

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That’s it for our list of best pottery and ceramics classes! Do you have any more recommendations? Let everyone know in the comments below!