This 9-week evening course has been designed to allow participants to develop projects with guidance and demonstration from the tutor. Throughout the duration of the course, you will be introduced to several different techniques used to create ceramics. Techniques include hand building, mould making, casting and a variety of finishing techniques including raku firing.
At the start of this 9-week course you will be taught the foundations of clay, clay bodies and clay preparation.
You will explore a series of hand building techniques such as pinching, coiling, slab building and carving.
Through these techniques you will experiment with shaping, building, and adapting different forms whilst developing your understanding of clay. In addition, you will be taught how to make clay stamps by carving plaster, a process that will allow you to test indenting different designs or textures into clay.
Following this you will be introduced to a variety of mould making techniques.
Firstly, you will be invited to create a one-piece plaster mould in the form of a simple ‘drop out mould’. This can be achieved using a simple found object, sourced independently.
Secondly, you will be invited to learn two separate techniques called ‘Press Moulding’ and ‘Hump Moulding’ both of which will be introduced via demonstration.
Thirdly, you will be introduced to slip casting, a technique whereby a mixture of clay and water is poured into a mould made of plaster.
Furthermore, you are invited to learn how to decorate your work using finishing techniques such as inlay, incising, sgraffito stencils, slip trailing, combing, marbling or agateware and glazing.
Lastly, you are invited to learn alternative finishing techniques via the process of ‘Raku Firing’; a low temperature earthenware firing which involves a rapid firing cycle. Through this process you can learn how to treat your bisque fired work by plunging pieces into sawdust or by quenching work directly into water.
Disclaimer
The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our course and module disclaimer for more information.
Learning Methods
This course will be delivered on campus from 18:30 – 21:00 on Wednesdays for 9 weeks.
Activity Summary
- Minimum of 8 students, maximum of 10 in the group
- 22.5 hours of teaching in total over 9 evenings, 18:30 – 21:00
Timetable
- Week 1: 4 September 2024 – workshops start.
- Week 2: 11 September
- Week 3: 18 September
- 25 September - no class due to public holiday
- Week 4: 2 October
- Week 5: 9 October
- 16 October - no class due to other commitments
- 23 October - no class due to other commitments
- Week 6: 30 October
- Week 7: 6 November
- Week 8: 13 November
- Week 9: 20 November – last workshop
Independent Study
This course allows participants to develop independent projects with both guidance and demonstration from the tutor. Participants are encouraged to carry out research into their own personal interests to direct their projects and their own creative practice. In week 3 participants are asked to bring an object to make a one-piece mould also known as a drop out mould. Alternatively, participants can make a multiple part mould. Details in relation to this will be discussed during the first two workshops.
Assessment
This course is not formally assessed.
Staff Delivering on this Course
Kevin Andrew Morris
Often referred to as a ‘Nomadic Ceramicist’, Kevin Andrew Morris is motivated by an investigation of his own family heritage and material culture. His work engages with concepts of craft, material and place. Based in Aberdeen, Morris exhibits work both nationally and internationally, working with a range of artists, institutions, and various public projects.
Opportunities to travel, research and make work internationally are important to him as are opportunities to work locally. He considers participation and engagement an opportunity for him to learn new skills, feeding the development of his own creative practice.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
This course is suitable for intermediate level.
Required Age
All students are required to be at least 16 years of age on the commencement of the course.
For Academic Year 2024/2025
Course fee: £270 per person
The fee is to be paid as part of sign up process and prior to the first session.
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.
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.
If you have registered and paid for your place on the course, but now wish to cancel, please email engage@rgu.ac.uk at least 48 hours prior to the first evening session commencing.
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.