Dates & Times:
26th & 27th September 2026
10 - 4pm (lunch 12:30 - 1:30pm)
OVERVIEW:
This brand new two-day course explores a range of possibilities offered by decorating directly onto a leather-hard (unfired) clay surface. Over the two days you will be shown various application techniques using a range of materials, so whether you prefer crisp, illustrative imagery or loose, expressive marks, you’ll discover approaches that suit your style.
During the workshop you will be taken through techniques using coloured clay slips, glaze stains, raw oxides and underglazes colours, with an explanation as to the different properties of each of these.
Using these materials we will look at a range of application methods giving you different effects and finishes. By applying grounds of coloured slips through sponging, pouring and painting before looking at options using drawing, stamps, stencils, resists and printing you will begin to build up layers of decoration with a rich variety of characteristics.
It is worth noting that most of the things you will be exposed to can be easily replicated within a home studio.
WORKSHOP TIMETABLE:
On the morning of day one you will make two slab dishes using moulds which we will let dry (so they can be decorated on day two). Then you will look at some common decorative styles associated with ceramics whilst Chris talks through the techniques and processes used to achieve these finishes.
In the afternoon Chris will begin to demonstrate each decorating process in turn and provide examples and guidance as you develop your own approach. You will then explore the techniques yourself, working onto unfired tiles which you will use like a sketch book to produce a library of visual information you will be able to keep as reference material.
These practical demonstrations and explorations will continue on day two until all the processes have been explored and you have begun developing ideas for decorating your slab dishes. During the final afternoon you can use your preferred techniques to decorate the dishes which were made in the morning of the first day.
OUTCOME:
By the end of the two days you should have gained an understanding of the materials used, how they differ, when to use them and where to buy them. You will have a group of test tiles which should have a record of each technique on their surface and two slab dishes which will showcase your own design work and will have been decorated using the techniques and materials which work best for you. All of the pieces produced can be fired and glazed for you to collect at a later date.
SOME IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER:
As you will have the opportunity to draw your own designs onto the surfaces, it’s helpful to bring imagery, photographs or cut-outs to inspire and inform your designs. It would be useful that any imagery which you intend to use is scaled to fit within a 10cm x 10cm space.
It is also recommended you bring along a sketchbook/note book with which to record your experiments and any other useful information which may be given to you during the workshop.
Finally most of day two will consist of time for your personal exploration of the techniques so come with images and ideas!
Dates & Times:
26th & 27th September 2026
10 - 4pm (lunch 12:30 - 1:30pm)
OVERVIEW:
This brand new two-day course explores a range of possibilities offered by decorating directly onto a leather-hard (unfired) clay surface. Over the two days you will be shown various application techniques using a range of materials, so whether you prefer crisp, illustrative imagery or loose, expressive marks, you’ll discover approaches that suit your style.
During the workshop you will be taken through techniques using coloured clay slips, glaze stains, raw oxides and underglazes colours, with an explanation as to the different properties of each of these.
Using these materials we will look at a range of application methods giving you different effects and finishes. By applying grounds of coloured slips through sponging, pouring and painting before looking at options using drawing, stamps, stencils, resists and printing you will begin to build up layers of decoration with a rich variety of characteristics.
It is worth noting that most of the things you will be exposed to can be easily replicated within a home studio.
WORKSHOP TIMETABLE:
On the morning of day one you will make two slab dishes using moulds which we will let dry (so they can be decorated on day two). Then you will look at some common decorative styles associated with ceramics whilst Chris talks through the techniques and processes used to achieve these finishes.
In the afternoon Chris will begin to demonstrate each decorating process in turn and provide examples and guidance as you develop your own approach. You will then explore the techniques yourself, working onto unfired tiles which you will use like a sketch book to produce a library of visual information you will be able to keep as reference material.
These practical demonstrations and explorations will continue on day two until all the processes have been explored and you have begun developing ideas for decorating your slab dishes. During the final afternoon you can use your preferred techniques to decorate the dishes which were made in the morning of the first day.
OUTCOME:
By the end of the two days you should have gained an understanding of the materials used, how they differ, when to use them and where to buy them. You will have a group of test tiles which should have a record of each technique on their surface and two slab dishes which will showcase your own design work and will have been decorated using the techniques and materials which work best for you. All of the pieces produced can be fired and glazed for you to collect at a later date.
SOME IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER:
As you will have the opportunity to draw your own designs onto the surfaces, it’s helpful to bring imagery, photographs or cut-outs to inspire and inform your designs. It would be useful that any imagery which you intend to use is scaled to fit within a 10cm x 10cm space.
It is also recommended you bring along a sketchbook/note book with which to record your experiments and any other useful information which may be given to you during the workshop.
Finally most of day two will consist of time for your personal exploration of the techniques so come with images and ideas!
