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10-Week Hand Building Pottery Course (Bookings Now Closed)

  • Hopewell Studios Hay-A-Park Lane Knaresborough, England, HG5 United Kingdom (map)

Key Information:

Start date: Tuesday, 11th June
End date: Tuesday, 13th August

Every Tuesday.
10AM-4PM

£450.
Booking essential.

Total of 10 Places Available.


About the Course:

This 10 week course, running on Tuesdays is suitable for beginners and those who wish to refresh their know-how, our tutor will guide you through step by step the knowledge and skills needed to begin your pottery journey.

If you already know the basics and want to create alongside like minded people, you will be supplied with 12.5kg of clay and have access to a small range of slips, glazes and firing.

You will create several pieces over the ten weeks using different techniques in hand building, and decorate these creations using the various methods you have learnt throughout the course.

Your tutor, highly experienced professional ceramicist Fiona Mazza, will guide and teach you every step of the way to ignite your creativity in the world of clay.

Suitable for complete beginners and beyond.


Course Structure

Week 1 - Introduction to Slab Building and Demonstration:

In the first session you will be shown how to make slabs from clay, how to use soft and leather hard slabs and how to use formers to support your slabs. You will then use these newly learnt skills to create a pottery item of your choice such as a bowl, vase or cup.

Week 2 - Introduction to Coiling and Demonstration:

In Week 2 you will be shown the methods of constructing a flat or pinch pot base from which to start your coil pot. You will be taught how to roll and join coils and construct and refine your coil vessel.

Week 3 - Introduction to slip decoration techniques:

In this session you will be given a demonstration of the different ways to apply slips such as paper resist, sgraffito, and brush work.

You will produce a few tiles to experiment in decorating techniques using coloured slips, textures and mark making.

You will then design a vessel which will be made from either slabs, coils or both, in preparation for week 4.

Week 4 - Begin making your own design:

You will now start to make your own creation(s) using the techniques you have learnt over the last three classes! You will have support and guidance from the tutor as you start to become more independent and work from your own ideas and designs.

Week 5 - Demonstration on adding appendages and Independent work:

On this 5th session you will be given a demonstration on adding appendages to pottery, i.e. handles, raised decoration, foot rings and sprigs. You will continue working on your own piece(s).

Week 6 - Introduction to decoration and glazing pots:

In this session you will be taught how to decorate pots after the bisque firing, using underglaze and masking techniques.

You will continue with your own work.

Week 7 to 10 - Independent work with guidance from the Tutor:

From Week 7 onwards, you will continue to develop and refine your own work using all the techniques and knowledge you have gained so far, Fiona will always be on hand for help and guidance.


  • All materials and equipment included.

  • Qualified and experienced Tutor.

  • Tea and coffee available throughout the day.

  • Bring a pack lunch and an apron!

    Join us and make friends with like-minded people, so please don’t worry about coming solo!



CANCELLATION AND RESCHEDULING POLICY

Cancellations over one month before the course start date are eligible for a full refund.

Cancellations between one calendar month and the start date of the course are only refundable at our discretion, this relies heavily on the ability to fill your place. You may send a substitute participant. 


Please contact us at info@hopewellstudios.co.uk, using the same email you booked with.


If we need to cancel a workshop or course due to unforeseen circumstances we will aim to give as much notice as possible and a full refund. We cannot accept any liability for travel or other costs.

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