Earthenware hand-building short course; cups, beakers, small bowls, jugs and vases

Following the success of the recent Earthenware Beakers Short Course, this Autumn we will be running a slightly extended follow-up course of six, two-hour sessions, running from Thursday 12th September to Thursday 17th October. The course will act as an opportunity to continue developing and broadening skills introduced in the initial course, but will also introduce key skills from scratch, along with techniques and approaches not covered in the summer term, making it suitable for both new and returning participants.

The Museum of Royal Worcester is known for its spectacular collection of porcelain and bone china but many of the workers making these fine objects would have used earthenware vessels at home. Starting in the Museum Displays, we will then explore hand-building and decorating techniques using earthenware clays that have been practiced in these islands since the Neolithic.

The course focuses on hand-building rather than throwing, encompassing pinch pots, coil building and slab-building, and will introduce a variety of ideas for surface decoration and treatment, including use of slips and simple glazes.

Over 6 weeks you will gain skills and be supported to experiment and discover forming and decorating techniques in this tactile, local and everyday clay material:

• Week 1: An introduction to ceramics, starting with a presentation and a quick visit to the Museum gallery, plus a detailed, ‘hands-on’ introduction to pinch pot making.
• Week 2: A detailed ‘hands-on’ introduction to the two other key hand-building techniques; coil and and slab building, followed by working on designs and plans for your own pots
• Week 3: An introduction to decorative techniques – including use of slips, plus time for working towards finished pieces
• Week 4: Working towards finished pieces
• Week 5: Finishing touches and introduction to simple glazes. Preparation for biscuit firing
• Week 6: Glazing biscuit fired work

This is a course that will connect directly to both the museum display and the suitability of different clays across these islands for different uses and outcomes.

Course leader Rupert Brakspear has more than thirty years of ceramic practice and a background in archaeology, education and sustainable development.

Suitable for all abilities.

The course will run over 6 weeks, on Thursday evenings 7:00pm – 9:00pm

All your materials are included, plus tea and coffee on Royal Worcester china during the session – so all you have to do is turn up. Please wear covered shoes and old clothes/an apron that you don’t mind getting clay on.

£150.00 for the full course.

Book your space here