This Art Weekender invites beginners to learn how to hand build with clay as a material and encourages experimentation with shape and form. A workshop, whereby participants will be able to create their own hand-built clay creatures.
This two-day workshop will begin with a demonstration which communicates how to create basic forms with clay and how pieces of clay can be connected.
Participants will be encouraged to formulate individual plans on how they wish to create their own clay creatures. Examples will be shared to aid individual creativity alongside continued support from the artist.
Throughout the weekend, participants will learn a variety of basic hand building techniques these involve coiling, slab building and pinch potting. Using such techniques, participants are encouraged to build their own sculptures by hand, creating organic forms or more structured creations.
In addition, participants will be taught how to add detail and texture to their work and will be supported in how to add simple yet effective facial expressions to their clay creature(s).
Following this participant’s will be introduced to underglaze - a method of adding colour to clay.
During the workshop participants will be taught the basic application of underglaze, but will also be taught techniques such as sgraffito - a technique whereby a layer of glaze is applied, allowed to dry then removed to show the layer of colour beneath.
Following the process of firing, a transparent glaze will be applied to all final pieces on behalf of participants. These can be collected at a later date.
It’s hoped that more clay creatures will emerge from our ceramic’s studio.
Learning Methods
This course will be delivered on campus over Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 - 16:00 each day.
Activity Summary
- Minimum of 8 students, maximum of 10 in the group
- 10 hours of teaching in total over 2 days. 10:00 - 16:00 each day with a 1 hour lunch break from 12:30 - 13:30.
Assessment
This course is not formally assessed.
Staff Delivering on this Course
AJ Simpson
AJ Simpson graduated from Gray’s School of Art in 2021 with a BA Hons in Three-Dimensional Design, specialising in ceramics. In 2022 they won ‘The BBC’s Great Pottery Throwdown’ and now find themselves practicing full time. The ceramist is based with the Deemouth Artist Studios community, based in Aberdeen and is part of the Aberdeen Ceramics Society.
Explored in their practice is the novel side of ceramics. This is demonstrated by their fun ‘blob’ series of decorative one-off characters. Additionally, the ceramicist combines their fun with function and as a result has created a series of blob crockery including blob mugs, bowls, plant pots and more. Recently exploring larger forms, Simpson has introduced a series of dinosaur blobs which showcase bright colours and goofy expressions.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
This workshop is suitable for beginners.
Required Age
All students are required to be at least 16 years of age on the commencement of the course.
For Academic Year 2022/2023
Course fee: £160 per person
The fee is to be paid as part of sign up process and prior to workshop date.
After completing the registration form, you will be directed to the payment page. Your place on the course is not confirmed until payment has been received. If you have any difficulties locating the payment link or if you have registered for this course but have not completed the payment form, please contact us for a direct link to pay which will bypass registration.
Additional Costs
Essential core materials are provided.
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided, however participants should bring their own lunch as most catering outlets on campus are closed during the weekend.
The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:
Course Cancellation
If minimum participant numbers for this course are not met, the course will be cancelled and participants will receive a full refund.
Disclaimer
For new intakes course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in advance. For further information see:
Any questions?
Get in touch with the Engage Team and we'll do our best to help.