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This course offers a comprehensive and creative introduction to ceramic hand-building, suitable for both beginners and returning students wishing to develop their sculptural and technical skills.
Students will learn the core forming techniques — pinching, coiling and slab building— to create a variety of ceramic forms. Throughout the course, we will explore how these traditional methods can be adapted for both functional and expressive artworks.
While wheel-throwing and mould forming will be discussed, they are not the main focus of this course. Instead, the emphasis will be on creative hand-built construction, surface texture, colouring, and glazing.
Returning or advanced students are encouraged to pursue independent projects, using this time to refine technique, experiment with surface design, or explore personal themes. The course will provide open studio time for deeper experimentation and creative freedom, supported by one-to-one guidance.
By the end of the course, each student will have a completed ceramic work (or small series) ready for glazing and firing.
A calm, structured, and hands-on studio environment with a balance of demonstration, individual practice, and group discussion.
Each session will include:
A short demonstration of a specific building or decorating technique
Guided practice time with personalised support
Discussion of glaze tests, texture samples, and colouring methods
Time for reflection and planning next steps
Students will work in the same area throughout the course to encourage focus, continuity, and collaboration.
Previous sessions have received very positive feedback, particularly for the clear structure, the relaxed but professional atmosphere, and the opportunity for students of different levels to learn side by side.
Who Is It For
Suitable for beginners interested in ceramics or sculpture
Returning or intermediate students wishing to continue and expand their creative practice
Those interested in exploring form, texture, and glaze rather than production pottery
Participants & Prerequisites
No experienced students are welcomed. All the information will be introduced.
For those returning or advanced students that want to continue their own work, they should have basic awareness of the ceramic process — from forming, drying, and bisque firing to glazing. Biscuit-fired works are required for glazing sessions.
Duration & Timing:
6 or 12 weekly sessions ; 2.5–3 hours per session
Sufficient to complete at least one finished glazed piece
Course Content Outline (Example for 6-Week Term)
Week 1: Introduction to materials, hand-building overview, pinching method
Week 2: Coiling method— building larger or more organic forms
Week 3: Slab building — combining structure and surface
Week 4: Surface decoration: carving, engraving, slip painting, and underglaze application
Week 5: Glazing principles and techniques, colour exploration
Week 6: Finishing, polishing, group review, and reflection
(12-week version expands each section with longer practice and project development time.)
Delivery Format
Hands-on demonstrations
Individual and group guidance
Reference materials, glaze and clay samples
Tutor demonstration of glaze tests and surface results
Pre-biscuit-fired clay works (advanced student)
Glazes provided in-class (additional optional colours available at cost)
Brushes, small mixing containers, notebook for documentation
Optional: smartphone or camera for recording results
Develop personal glaze recipes or conduct small experiments using the reference tiles.
Explore glaze layering and combination effects in advanced sessions.
Contribute results and samples to the shared studio glaze library.
Plan personal projects applying selected glazes to sculptural or functional forms.
Continue into the Advanced or Experimental Glazing Course series.
Additional Technician / Preparation Time:
proposes to reserve approx. 6–8 technician-hours (paid or allocated workshop-prep hours) prior to course start. This will allow time to create glaze test tiles, record firing results at both 1080°C and 1280°C, document colour / surface changes, and build a shared reference library for students
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