Ceramics masterclass with Robert Cooper

About this course

The course explores clay slab construction for plates, dishes and candlesticks, including plaster press moulds and combined hand-building methods. Demonstrations cover silk screen printing on greenware, marbling, staining, agateware, mark making with stamps and coloured slips, painting fabrics, decals, ceramic transfers and on-glaze enamels. Teaching combines ongoing demonstrations, visual references, group discussion and learning through making. The tutor also discusses approaches to vessel making and shares examples from their practice, while participants have opportunities to reflect on and discuss their own work.

What you'll learn

• Construct a slab-built dish using a plaster press mould
• Apply decorative techniques including silk screen printing, marbling, staining and agateware
• Experiment with stamps, coloured slips, painting fabrics, decals and ceramic transfers
• Use on-glaze enamels and identify further ceramic surface treatments
• Follow relevant workshop health and safety guidelines

Is this course right for you?

This course is open to learners at all levels who want to develop their ceramic practice through making, demonstrations and discussion. Participation includes individual practical work, group discussions and reviewing personal ways of working. Learners should be able to follow written and spoken instructions, understand demonstrations and handouts, and carry out simple measurements and calculations.

• Includes group demonstrations and discussion alongside individual making
• Self-reflection and review of personal practice are part of the learning process
• Learners should be able to follow health and safety information

Before you go

• Departmental tools are available for use, and most material costs are included.
• Work left for firing receives one firing at City Lit.
• Bring suitable closed shoes, such as shoes that are not open-toed sandals.
• A sketchbook may be brought to the course.
• Learners are expected to follow good workshop practice and health and safety guidance.
• The studio has a safety restriction for people with pacemakers or internal defibrillators when potter's wheels are in use. Contact the Ceramics Department before enrolling to discuss this.
• Materials used during the course are paid for separately.