Mixed Ability Ceramics: Traditional and Alternative Techniques and Processes

About this course

The course combines talks, demonstrations, note-taking and practical workshops. Learners explore hand-building methods including pinching, coiling and slab work, then decorate ceramic pieces with slips, oxides and glazes. Projects are adapted to individual ability and needs, with beginners developing basic techniques and more experienced ceramicists extending their skills through personal projects. Smoke and Raku firing processes may also be explored when weather conditions allow.

What you'll learn

• Construct ceramic pieces using pinching, coiling and slab-building techniques.
• Apply slips, oxides and glazes using different decorative methods.
• Develop ceramic pieces through personalised projects suited to individual ability.
• Use smoke or Raku firing processes when conditions permit.

Is this course right for you?

The course is designed for beginners, intermediate learners and experienced ceramicists, with projects adapted to different abilities and needs. Beginners can work through basic hand-building and decoration techniques, while more experienced participants can extend existing skills through personal projects. A strong interest in ceramics and a desire to improve are stated as entry requirements.

• Suitable for learners across a range of experience levels.
• More experienced ceramicists may work on personal projects.
• Each term is accessible as a separate course, although the programme builds from one term to the next.

Before you go

• Clay is charged separately.
• Some tools are available to purchase at the college.
• Learners need to bring an apron, dust mask and notebook.
• Smoke or Raku firing is weather-dependent and is likely to take place only in spring and summer terms.