Explore some simple Japanese techniques that are not commonly used in this country. You will experience how to do spiral wedging, making a vase or dishes by Himotsukuri (coiling), making a little box by Kurinuki (hollowing a lump of clay), a tea bowl or a cup by Tamatsukuri (thumb pot) and a plate by Tataratsukuri (slab making) on a hump/press mould or on coiled clay (wet slab). Then you will learn brush drawing or printing techniques to decorate your pieces.

Each piece will be decorated by Japanese brush drawing or slip decoration techniques, such as: Hakeme, Mishima and Katagami. You will be encouraged to get inspiration from West Dean Gardens and design your patterns and drawings for the decoration.

By doing this course, you will learn Tebineri (the basic Japanese hand building) techniques, which can be developed and used for more advanced pieces of your own.

This course is part of our Japanese influence’s week led by talented artist-tutors: Yoichi Fujimori (Japanese paper making) Mieko Fujimori (Indigo dye on paper) Wayne Meeten (Japanese hammer chased and inlayed moon dish) Rie Tsuruta (Exploring Japanese pottery) Lucy May Schofield (Japanese woodblock printed landscape bound in a scroll) Rie Takeda (Calligraphy) Helen Turner (The art of imperfection in painting – wabi sabi)

Each course explores a different aspect of the influences and techniques of Japanese art and craft and how they may be applied to contemporary practices.

Each tutor will be invited to give a short talk (10 minutes) about an aspect of their work relating to the theme of the week on Tuesday evening at 5.15pm. Participants will also be encouraged to visit other courses to see work produced across the varied approaches offered in the week.

Included

All clay, glazing and firing costs (Large work in size and quantity may be charged extra.) Basic tool kits are provided in the pottery for use during the course.

What students need to bring

• Overall/apron (preferably cotton or laminated fabric)
• A sketchbook, pencils and pens to do some drawings

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• Pottery tools, pottery knife -Rough paper or sketch pad and pencil
• Natural sponge

Additional information

Firing and glazing options:

1. Leave a selection of raw, finished pieces, which you wish to keep, for biscuit firing, basic glazing and re-firing by the College, for collection within six months.

2. Leave a selection of raw, finished pieces for biscuit firing at the College. You can then book a place on a Glazing Day and glaze your own work (allowing four weeks for your work to be biscuit fired). This work will be re-fired after glazing and available for collection within six months.

3. You take away your unfired pots for firing and glazing elsewhere.

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.

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential

Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed

Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am

Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required

Terms & Conditions