Ceramics: surface decoration on clay

About this course

The course explores surface decoration on rolled clay slabs and tiles, with applications including decorated tiles, plates and dish forms. Learners will experiment with slip trailing, potato printing, paper stencils, graffito, free mark making, sprigs, oxides, underglaze colours and glazes. Simple moulds will be used to form vessels, while demonstrations for the whole group and individuals introduce the making and decorating processes. The course also covers pattern repeats, tile design, colour palette development and studio health and safety.

What you'll learn

• Roll clay for tiles and shallow moulds
• Apply surface decoration using slips, oxides, underglazes, printing techniques and glazes
• Use simple moulds to form decorated plates and dish shapes
• Develop repeat imagery, pattern arrangements and a personal colour palette
• Follow relevant health and safety guidance in the ceramics studio

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for beginners and intermediate learners. Participants should be able to follow written and verbal instructions, demonstrations and health and safety information, and take part in self-reflection and group discussion. Simple numerical work, measurements and calculations are also involved.

• No prior research is needed before the course
• Participation includes reviewing and evaluating individual ways of working and progress
• Intermediate learners may use personal research to develop their work further

Before you go

• Aprons are provided.
• Learners with a pacemaker or internal defibrillator cannot work in the ceramics studio while potter's wheels are in use and should contact the Ceramics Department before enrolling to discuss this.