Ceramics | Intermediate Hand-Building with Carol Hudson

This 4 week course is designed to expose student’s to wide range of hand-building and surface treatment possibilities. The course is best suited to students who have completed a beginners hand-building course or have some experience with hand-building ceramics.

Over the 4 week course we will explore next level hand-building techniques, work with different types of clay, experiment with a wide variety of surface treatments and explore glazing methods.

Carol’s generosity in sharing her tips, tricks and methods make this short course very productive, and rich in ideas and information to get you making professional and unique works.

What to expect

Week 1: 3 Clays — Surface texture, impressing and sgraffito

We will plan the items to be made using the hand-building and surface treatment techniques to be explored during the course.

3 small cups or bowls will be hand-built to give students the opportunity to work with and experience the qualities of 3 very different clay bodies: Red Raku, Midfire Black and Porcelain.

Students will be encouraged to experiment with a range of carving and texturing methods on their 3 cups or bowls to experience how differently each clay responds to texture creation. Students can also explore impressing with stamps or other textures (such as fabric, botanical finds etc.) and sgraffito techniques to develop the surface of their work.

The works will be dried and bisque fired after the class, then glazed in week 3 and/or 4.

Week 2: Red Raku — Decorative coiling into molds, slip trailing, wax resist and oxides

Using Red Raku clay students will make a bowl using coils in a decorative manner supported by a mold of their own choice. After making the bowl students will experiment with slip trailing and using wax resist with oxides.

The works will be dried and bisque fired after the class, then glazed in week 3 and/or 4.

Week 3: Midfire Black — Slab building, burnishing and layering dipping glazes

Using rolled-out slabs of clay students will create a geometric form or functional vessel and experiment with burnishing it’s surface.

The works will be dried and bisque fired after the class, then glazed in week 4.

Also in this class students will complete the glazing of their bisque fired work from week 1, using wax resist and oxides learned in week 2, and experiment with layering dipping glazes.

Week 4: Porcelain — Jewellery and small objects, stains and marbling

Using porcelain students will explore the making and sculpting of small objects or jewellery components. Students can experiment with mixing coloured stains with porcelain or use several stained pieces of stained porcelain that can be combined or marbled.

The vessels will be dried and bisque fired after the class, then clear glazed by the tutor after the course.

In this class students will also finalise the glazing of their bisque fired work from week 1, 2 and 3.
The aim is to continue to experiment with the techniques learned in weeks 2 and 3.

What will you achieve?

During this course you will:

• Create 6-8 beautiful ceramic works
• Use and experiment with 3 diverse types of clay
• Extend hand building techniques — slab building, decorative coiling and sculpting
• Learn professional tips and tricks
• Learn surface texture techniques, impressing, burnishing, slip trailing and sgraffito
• Learn to use wax resist, stains and marbling
• Learn to layer dipping glazes
• Learn and deepen your knowledge of the ceramics-making processes and how to ensure your work is successful

Is this class right for me?

This class is suitable for students with some hand-building ceramics experience

What materials will be provided?
Included in the course is 2kg of clay (Red Raku, Midfire Black and Porcelain) and a limited colour range of underglazes, dipping glazes and bisque, glaze firings.

Additional clay can be purchased from Art Est. Larger and additional pieces made in class can be fired at $12kg. The course includes a limited number of underglaze colours.

If you would like more specialised colours for your work, they are available at local suppliers and online for purchase. If you wish to use other specialty glazes Stephanie will help you locate them

What materials do I need to bring?

• A serrated metal rib (buy online from Keanes Ceramics - either of the following will work). Economy type. Lux version - Mud Tools Paisley Fine Type
• Inspirational reference materials
• Texture creating items such as textiles, botanical and other finds
• You are also welcome to bring drinks and nibbles. We’ll supply the glasses.

Will my works be fired?
Standard works made as part of your course program will be bisque fired and glaze fired as part of your course fee. Your work will then be food and dishwasher safe. Larger and additional pieces made in class can be fired at $12kg. Works made outside of the Art Est. studio cannot be fired in our kilns.

What should I wear?
Clothes you feel comfortable in and don’t mind getting dirty. Clay, underglaze and glaze will wash out. It is best to have short fingernails.

About studio classes

Our class sizes are small, ensuring you receive the individual tuition you need. We have a maximum of 12 students per class.

Unless otherwise noted, prices *exclude* art materials. Click here to see a list of local art supply retailers.

To learn about our studios, amenites and how to get there, click here.

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