This course will introduce you to the wide variety of hand-building techniques. With an emphasis on form and texture, you will create a series of organic sculptures and vessels, incorporating the different methods together.

An experimental beginning will give you a chance to play - exploring and manipulating the clay, making shapes and finding new ways to add texture and pattern. These three-dimensional sketches will help to develop your ideas for your final pieces. Other artists’ work will be looked at and discussed throughout the course to offer inspiration and an insight to alternative ideas.

There will be group discussions and tutor demonstrations on pinching, coiling (three different ways), slabbing and press-moulding. You will learn to successfully join different shapes together to create one form. With a greater knowledge of the different hand-building skills, you will be able to develop and construct your own designs.

Within the course, you will also learn how to use colouring slips, underglaze colours and oxides to enhance the surface textures. Decorating finishes will include: inlaying, brushing, layering and sgraffito.

By the end of the course, you will have several finished pieces of work, ready for firing.

Included

• Clay
• Decorating/glazing materials
• Firing costs of work made (large work in size and quantity may be charged extra.)
• The tutor will supply some of the materials, including: textures and materials to experiment with and images and reference books of artists whose work relates to the course.

What students need to bring

• Sketchbooks
• Photographic inspiration e.g. ideas and images of natural forms and structures that inspire you
• (This can include books, cut outs, images, drawings etc.)
• A collection of items with texture e.g. fabric, wallpaper, kitchen tools, found natural objects
• A camera and sketchbook to record the journey through the weekend
• Apron
• Pottery tools, if you have your own
• If you plan to take your unfired work away with you, please bring plenty of packaging material, boxes and bubble wrap to ensure its safe journey home.

Available to buy

• Available from shop:
• Pottery tools, wooden and loop tools
• Natural sponges
• Brushes
• Sketchbooks

Additional information

Firing and glazing options: 1. Leave a selection of your most successful raw finished pieces for biscuit firing, basic glazing and re-firing by the College, for collection within six months. 2. Take away your unfired sculpture 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