Ceramics: Introduction

This course is an achievable and easy to follow introduction to the foundation skills and techniques used in hand-building studio ceramics. Using terracotta and earthenware clays along with various decorating and glazing materials, students are taken through a range of hands on exercises to develop foundation skills. Students will gain an overall understanding of the ceramic process and gain confidence in how to work with, and enjoy working with clay.

This course is suitable for students with no previous experience using clay.

Continuing students, who have done the course previously or have prior ceramics experience are also welcome to join the class to further their skills and knowledge by working on their own projects, with some guidance from the teacher.

During the course you will learn about:

• The fundamentals of the ceramic process – Design, Make, Decorate, Glaze, Fire.
• Hand building techniques – Pinch, Coil, Slab
• Decoration techniques – Slip Trail, Sgraffito, Mishima, Found Object Stamping
• Applying glazes
• Basic Firing Processes

 

Materials used:

Terracotta clay

Earthenware slip/engobe

Earthenware glaze

These materials will be provided.

 

 

What to bring:

An old towel, apron, and/or old clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.

An A4 (or larger) sketchbook.

Any inspirational images or examples of ceramic work you admire (digital is fine).

If you have any clay modelling tools or synthetic paintbrushes you are welcome to bring them but this is not essential.

This course is suitable for students with no previous experience using clay.

Continuing students, who have done the course previously or have prior ceramics experience are also welcome to join the class to further their skills and knowledge by working on their own projects, with some guidance from the teacher.