Play with clay
Let your hands do the talking

This course covers the design and build of clay sculptures for kiln firing. The emphasis is on style development and construction for firing. We’ll cover contemporary approaches including basic to advanced construction, modelling and texturing techniques.

This is a hands on course which is suitable for absolute newcomers to clay or those with some handbuild experience. The course will be led by an experienced potter and is suitable for those wishing to explore figurative or abstract approaches.This course explores the versatility of clay and contemporary approaches to ceramic sculpture design.  Participants will learn how to create different clay forms using a variety of techniques:figurative and abstract forms will be covered. Also, how to manipulate ceramic surfaces, kiln and glazing basics.

The course will cover:

• Health and safety
• An overview of contemporary ceramic sculptures
• Importance of a sketchbook
• Design and build processes and special considerations when kiln firing
• Experimental ceramic surface design
• Tools and equipment
• Clay types
• Working with clay at the green and leather hard stage to achieve
• Overview of glazing materials, techniques and methods
• Main handbuild techniques
• Special considerations for outdoor sculptures
• A brief look at handbuild versus casting processes
• How to use slump, hump moulds or props in the build process
• Considerations when building larger or more complex work over a number of days
• Surface decoration

Day 1
am.
At the start of this course we’ll inspire with a short presentation on contemporary ceramics. We’ll then cover the tools, equipment and methods to achieve a variety of forms and surface decoration. Critically, we’ll discuss the special considerations when planning and building sculptural pieces which can be fired and glazed in the kiln.  Students will then be encouraged to sketch out and to explore the build of sculptural forms and to try out different approaches whilst working on smaller scale prototypes.

pm
Following a brief critique, students can potentially start to work on a larger scale ceramic piece or continue to produce smaller scale experimental pieces. Experienced tutors will be on hand to offer technical or directional guidance and to put students at their ease. So don’t worry if you’re a nervous beginner or worried about drawing or creative skills.

Day 2
Continue build of main piece. Surface decoration and potential use of slips.

Please note that pieces will need to dry out completely (approximately 10 days) before they can then be bisque kiln fired. Students can then come back to the studio to glaze their pieces which will then need to go back into the kiln for a final firing.

Prior experience required: none

Included in the course price: materials, use of tools, kiln firings.