Bring your ceramic animals and sculpture to life with wonderful underglazes. This course is for those who have made ceramic animals with the tutor on a previous course at West Dean College, left behind for firing. It offers the chance to underglaze your own pieces.

Underglazes are a great medium to decorate ceramics with. Unlike traditional glazes that can entirely change colour after firings, with underglazes what you see is basically what you get. 

A morning demonstration by the tutor will show you what she feels works well and she will touch on a few techniques. Then you will have the rest of the time to play and work out what works for you, while the tutor will be on hand to offer advice and guidance throughout.

You will learn:

1) An overview of underglazes and their properties
2) How to best apply the underglazes to smoothed and patterned clay surfaces
3) How a tiny bit of shiny glaze can bring your pieces to life; too much can kill it! 
4) Which temperature to fire to your underglazes 
5) Gluing breaks, covering cracks and repairing sculpture

This glazing day is primarily for those who have attended the tutor’s modelling animals course at the College and are advised to book early, as places are limited. Those who are on other sculptural/animal courses at West Dean may book if places remain four weeks before the course starts – please see note in additional information.

Included

Basic tools are provided in the pottery for use during the course.
All glazing materials are provided, and a final firing, if you choose to leave your work at the College.

What students need to bring

• Clean apron
• Chinese brushes (not essential)

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• Potter's knife
• Sponge
   

Additional information

Please Note: 
Those who have attended other sculptural/animal courses at West Dean may book if places remain four weeks before the course starts. In this instance, the pottery technician will advise if your work will be biscuit fired in time and if it is suitable for this course. 

Please note: once your work has been glazed and re-fired, it must be collected within six months.

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals, and safety boots, if specified.

Timetable for one day courses

Students should arrive by 9am for registration.

Classes are from 9.15 - 5pm

Lunch is included.

Terms & Conditions