Ceramics: surface decoration on clay

Working with paper stencil, block printing on unfired clay, biscuit and glazed surfaces, you will create pattern and images with slips, oxides, glaze and on-glaze enamels on simple moulded forms and tiles.
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  • Start Date: 04 Jan 2027
    End Date: 08 Feb 2027
    Mon (Evening): 18:00 - 21:00
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
    Course Code: VR719
    Tutors:  Trish Spence
    Full fee £349.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £227.00
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In stock
SKU
248480
Full fee £349.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £227.00

What is the course about?

This ceramics course explores different clay surface decoration techniques through the construction of rolled slabs and tiles. Decoration will be used to enhance plates, dish forms and tiles, and you will find out how to do this using slips, underglaze colours and oxides.

What will we cover?

-You will make clay slabs and tiles on which to lay decorative surfaces using coloured slips, oxides and glazes.

-Learn how to use use simple moulds to form vessels.

-Use simple imagery and patterns with clay decorative processes: 'slip trailing', potato printing, paper stencil, graffito, free mark making, 'sprigs' and the use of glazes.

-Create a set of decorated tiles and examples of using simple moulds to create decorated plates, dish forms or plates.

-You will be introduced to health and safety issues and good practice within the studio.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Roll out clay for tiles or for use in shallow moulds
- Use printing techniques shown at the different stages of making, before and after the glazing processs
- Create a personal colour palette
- Work with pattern and its repeat possibilities and understand the basics of designing tiles
- Create a series of repeat imagery tiles and dishes
- Be aware of, and work to, health and safety guidelines

Intermediate students will be able to:
- Develop their work using personal research.
- Further develop their skills.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Beginners and intermediate.

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, Self-reflection is an important part of art education and practice, you will be encouraged to evaluate and review your own learning, ways of working and progress and be invited into group discussions. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Demonstrations, both group and individual.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

No prior research is needed. Aprons will be provided. There is a charge of £3.00 per 500g for clay before firing, the porcelain charge is £24:00 per bag/ £12:00 per half bag.

In the final week you will need to pay for materials that you have used, payments to be made by contactless card reader.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Your tutor will advise you on which courses to progress .

Within City Lit you could progress onto VR710 City Lit Ceramics, VR711 Ceramics Intermediate Course or VR712 Diploma Course in Ceramics all of which are structured courses that can lead to higher education or independent studio practice.

Trish Spence

Trish is a ceramicist living and working at her multimedia studio in London. She currently teaches ceramics at City Lit and the WMC Camden, (The Working Men's College). She is also a visiting practitioner at the London Collge of Fashion (UAL). Trish has a Degree (First) and an MA in Ceramics from UWIC, (University of Wales in Cardiff). Her degree work was chosen for FRESH at the British Ceramics Biennial in 2011 and by The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (Nceca) in 2012, for an exhibition in Seattle. She has work in both public and private collections. After university Trish was chosen as ceramicist in residence at the prestigious Harrow School for boys in London. Adult education has now become Trish's main teaching direction, enjoying the enthusiasm and determination that adults bring to the learning environment. Having started her creative path in ceramics through adult education, prior to university and with several years of teaching across a wide spectrum of learners, her experience and wide skill set make her a dynamic and innovative teacher.

Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.