In this Two Day Handbuilding Workshop we will guide you through all three of the key techniques of handbuilding; Coil, Slab and Pinch. Using these multiple techniques you will then explore an array of forms. This course is both suitable for beginners and intermediate makers. For those who are more experienced we will explore the techniques you find most suited to your aims. We will then help you improve your skills and aim for those forms you wish to pursue. The wonderful thing of taking a two day course is really being able to delve into more complex ideas and explore bigger pieces, carving out more time to contemplate and build upon your shapes and expand the knowledge of this beautiful material.
In the Saturday session, you will first be introduced to the material and will begin to build with soft clay using the coil building technique. This method will allow you to create a range of forms such as cups, bowls and vases, your instructor will also show you how some potters then use the pinching method alongside the coil technique to create thinner ‘walls’ of your vessels. During the second half of the session, your instructor will demonstrate how to use the slab roller to compress clay into long sheets. These sheets of clay will be left overnight to firm up in preparation for Sunday's session. On the following day, your instructor will demonstrate the process of slab-building, allowing you to work on larger scale structures. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to refine your pieces further by adding attachments such as handles, applying texture and slip decoration.
The course allows you to keep 4-6 pots per student depending on the scale of your work. If you wish to keep more pots, by all means, you can, we charge £10 for each additional piece kept to cover the material and firing costs. We do however encourage students to be as critical of their work as possible and only keep what they know they will use, or is going to sit proudly somewhere to look at, as we want to aim to be as environmentally friendly as possible and clay can only be recycled pre their firings, but not after!
We are now offering the option of returning to the studio 1 week (minimum) after your workshop to glaze your own pieces in a selection of our 10 house glazes. These sessions will take place under the guidance of one of our experienced instructors. You can book your glaze add on session here.
There is a maximum of 10 people who attend each class. All workshops are from 11:00-17:00 both days.
Two Day Courses - Throwing on the wheel - ALL LEVELS
All classes will run from 11:00-17:00 on both days
Suitable for complete beginners as well as those who are more advanced; An All Level Course.
For our beginners we will take you through the basic techniques of throwing on the wheel. We will start with learning how to centre your clay, moving straight on to throwing cylinders and bowls, then learning how to turn your work on the Sunday to give your bowls feet and to tidy your pieces up. On the last half of your second day, we experiment with decoration techniques with slip as well as mark making with texture tools and stamps. We will then fire your work for you, putting a tin white glaze over your finished pieces, after they have been through their initial firing, giving a lovely muted affect to any coloured slips you have used beneath this glaze.
If you are already more experienced, we will help you progress from the level you are at , taking into account your current aims to increase your skills further.
We are now offering the option of returning to the studio 1 week (minimum) after your workshop to glaze your own pieces in a selection of our 10 house glazes. These sessions will take place under the guidance of one of our experienced instructors. You can book your glaze add on session here.
Saturday 19th and 20th September - 11:00-1700
This fantastic weekend workshop dedicated to the art of jar making, led by the talented potter Ervin Cirikovic. This workshop will take place from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on both days at Crown Works Pottery. With a maximum of 10 attendees, each student will have their own dedicated potter’s wheel.
Designed for throwers at an intermediate level who wish to further their skills, this course will cover advanced aspects of jar design. You’ll learn how to make diverse shapes and explore the aesthetics and functionality of interlocking mechanisms between the body and lid.
The workshop includes all materials, glazes, and firings, allowing you to keep up to six pieces, with additional pots available for £10 each. Due to limited storage space, please ensure you collect your finished pots within one month of receiving the pickup notification.
For any questions, feel free to reach out to Giulietta at giulietta@crownworkspottery.com. We encourage students who are comfortable centering and pulling approximately 1 kg of clay to sign up for this course.
Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November
This will be a fantastic intermediate-level weekend workshop focusing on all things related to the Tea Bowl form, from Yunomis to Chawans. Joseph Ludkin will guide you through various techniques for slip decoration, exploring a range of shapes and approaches to crafting the foot of each piece. We’ll also provide a selection of teas for you to enjoy as you work! This is a workshop that always produces fantastic work and furthers the skills of each potter in a very inspiring way.
General Class Information…
All classes will be held at Crown Works Pottery: 11 Crown Works, Temple Street, London, E26QQ.
Please bring your own apron, and avoid wearing your best clothes as you’re likely to get a bit muddy!
Please ensure you can attend both dates, as we are unable to refund or reschedule bookings without at least 7 days’ notice.
The price includes all materials, glazes, and firings. You may keep up to 8 finished pots, and additional pieces can be kept for £10 each if desired.
We regret that due to limited shelf space, unclaimed pots will be disposed of one month after the original pick-up email is sent.
For any questions, please email Giulietta atgiulietta@crownworkspottery.com
Workshop Dates:
Saturday - 19th and Sunday 20th September - 11:00-17:00
Saturday - 12th and Sunday 13th December - 11:00-17:00
We welcome Nancy Fuller as a guest potter to teach a two-day workshop at Crown Works Pottery. Nancy brings with her a wealth of experience. She studied Fine Art Printmaking at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and holds an MA in the History of Art and Archaeology from SOAS, University of London. Her pottery journey began in Taiwan, and she trained with a master potter in Japan, where she built her own wood-fired kiln. Since then, she has participated in residencies and symposiums around the world. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from someone with deep roots in pottery and a passion for teaching.
In this course, you will learn various pot-making methods that can also be used to create sculptures. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this class will introduce you to traditional techniques that Nancy learned while studying with master potters across Asia. The starting point will be familiarising yourself with the clay through wedging and pinching, and you will learn how to create a medium-sized pot over the two days. Nancy will guide you on how to control the form and create even clay walls by using your hands as tools and paying careful attention to how you move the clay. Her experience has shown that it’s often the small details that participants find most useful for their practice. By the end of the course, you will have the skills to continue working in the size and style that suits you.
—————————
General Class Information…
Each class is limited to a maximum of 8 students.
The price covers all materials, glazes, and firings. At the end of the workshop, you can choose and keep the pieces you’ve made. There is a maximum of six pieces per person included with the workshop. If you wish to keep further work, we charge £10 per additional pot to cover firings, us glazing your work and to help cover materials.
[Please contact giulietta@crownworkspottery.com in advance to confirm that you are of a sufficient standard to join this course, Thank you]