Ceramics for the Intermediate with Kevin Andrew Morris

Over this 9-week block, you will begin by exploring the foundations of clay, including different clay bodies and preparation techniques.

You will then delve into various hand-building methods, including pinching, coiling, slab building, and carving. Additionally, you will learn 'Kurinuki,' a traditional Japanese technique that involves carving away from a single block of clay. This meditative process, meaning "to hollow," emphasises discovering unique forms through subtraction. Through these methods, you will experiment with shaping, building, and adapting forms, deepening your understanding of clay.

You will also learn how to create clay stamps by carving plaster, enabling you to test various designs and textures on your work. Following this, you will be introduced to mould-making techniques. You will start by creating a simple one-piece plaster mould, or 'drop-out mould,' using a simple found object, sourced independently.

You will explore 'Press Moulding' and 'Hump Moulding' through demonstrations and learn slip casting - a technique where a clay-water mixture is poured into a plaster mould.

Next, you will learn various finishing techniques for decorating your pieces, including inlay, incising, sgraffito, stencilling, slip trailing, combing, marbling, agateware, and glazing.

Lastly, you will discover alternative finishing methods through 'Raku Firing,' a low-temperature earthenware technique that involves rapid firing. This process allows you to treat bisque-fired work by plunging it into sawdust or quenching it in water.

Learning Methods

This workshops 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: 16 September - first workshop
• Week 2: 23 September
• Week 3: 30 September
• Week 4: 7 October
• 14 October- no workshop due to public holiday
• 21 October- no workshop due to public holiday
• Week 5: 28 October
• Week 6: 4 November
• Week 7: 11 November.
• Week 8: 18 November
• Week 9: 25 November - last workshop

Independent Study

The workshops allows participants to develop independent projects with both guidance and demonstration from the workshop facilitator. 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. 

Tools and Equipment

Workshops will take place in our purpose-built Ceramics Workshop at Gray’s School of Art, where participants will work with shared tools and equipment.

Participants should bring the following each week:

• A sketchbook and pen or pencil
• An apron or overalls 
• A small pot(s) or jar with a lid (for slip or glaze)
• Cling film or a plastic bag (to keep work airtight)
• A camera or phone for visual documentation
• Week 3: an object to make a one-piece mould/ multiple part mould

Core materials are provided, and work produced during the sessions will be fired as part of the fee. 

Please note that final pieces requiring firing will need to be collected at a later date. Depending on the firing schedule, this may take up to four weeks. Participants will be notified by email once their work is ready, with collection dates and times provided.

Academic Year 2025/2026

Course fee: £290 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:

• Accommodation and living costs
• Printing

Workshop Cancellation & Changes

If minimum participant numbers for this 9-week workshop are not met, the workshop will be cancelled and participants will receive a full refund.

If you’ve signed up and paid for this workshop but need to cancel, please email us at engage@rgu.ac.uk at least 7 days before the first evening session begins.

If the named practitioner is unable to deliver the scheduled workshop, the session may be cancelled or delivered by an alternative facilitator.