A chance to use different clays with the addition of oxides, fluxing agents and natural combustible materials. Fuse found objects in the kiln, make biscuit slips and investigate the textural possibilities of glazes.
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Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This experimental ceramics workshop will focus on less conventional ways of making, introducing new and unfamiliar ways of hand building using a variety of different clays. You will be able to explore the potential of glaze-making to create textural surfaces; fire metal and organic objects in saggers (boxes made of clay), and ultimately discover a more immediate expressive approach to ceramic practice.
What will we cover?
This short course will investigate: - Paper clay, exploring its properties and its potential as a medium for expression. - Discover the exciting things that happen when you add combustible materials to clay such as saw dust pearlite and rice. - The making of glazes which will produce textural qualities imitating volcanic surfaces - Transforming found objects by dipping them into casting slip. - Saggers - clay boxes to contain metal and organic objects during the firing process.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Explore Paper Clay, its specific properties and how to use and fire it. - Mix a glaze; test a glaze; evaluate tests and apply to your work. - Dip combustible materials into porcelain casting slip. - Develop a more experimental personal approach to making with confidence. - Prepare experimental work appropriately and safely before firing. - Fully understand the health and safety guidelines associated with all ceramic practice.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is either for the adventurous beginner or more ideally for those with some experience of ceramic practice. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations. 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.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught through demonstrations, illustrated talks and handouts, individual and group discussions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All basic tools and equipment are provided. You will be asked to bring in simple cheap metal objects such as nails and organic materials such as dried plants, rice, paper, and cloth. This will be explained in depth in the first session. Please bring a sketchbook in which to record results and develop ideas. A camera or a camera phone is very useful for making a visual record.
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.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/experimental-ceramics138446Experimental ceramicshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/r/vr747_experimental_ceramics.jpg649649GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Ceramics & sculpture/Courses/Art & design/Ceramics & sculpture/Ceramics & pottery22851132143111431228511321431A chance to use different clays with the addition of oxides, fluxing agents and natural combustible materials. Fuse found objects in the kiln, make biscuit slips and investigate the textural possibilities of glazes. <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">This experimental ceramics workshop will focus on less conventional ways of making, introducing new and unfamiliar ways of hand building using a variety of different clays. You will be able to explore the potential of glaze-making to create textural surfaces; fire metal and organic objects in saggers (boxes made of clay), and ultimately discover a more immediate expressive approach to ceramic practice.</div>44.82539771Experimental ceramics599599https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/r/vr747_experimental_ceramics_9.jpgInStockDaytimeSunKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekend2026-06-07T00:00:00+00:00Some experience, AdvancedJun 2026Art & designVR747599599Experimental ceramics479389599Tana Westexperimental-ceramics/vr747-2526A chance to use different clays with the addition of oxides, fluxing agents and natural combustible materials. Fuse found objects in the kiln, make biscuit slips and investigate the textural possibilities of glazes.0010-StartedAvailable|2026-06-07 00:00:00This experimental ceramics workshop will focus on less conventional ways of making, introducing new and unfamiliar ways of hand building using a variety of different clays. You will be able to explore the potential of glaze-making to create textural surfaces; fire metal and organic objects in saggers (boxes made of clay), and ultimately discover a more immediate expressive approach to ceramic practice.A chance to use different clays with the addition of oxides, fluxing agents and natural combustible materials. Fuse found objects in the kiln, make biscuit slips and investigate the textural possibilities of glazes.This short course will investigate:<br>- Paper clay, exploring its properties and its potential as a medium for expression. <br>- Discover the exciting things that happen when you add combustible materials to clay such as saw dust pearlite and rice.<br>- The making of glazes which will produce textural qualities imitating volcanic surfaces<br>- Transforming found objects by dipping them into casting slip.<br>- Saggers - clay boxes to contain metal and organic objects during the firing process.- Explore Paper Clay, its specific properties and how to use and fire it.<br>- Mix a glaze; test a glaze; evaluate tests and apply to your work.<br>- Dip combustible materials into porcelain casting slip.<br>- Develop a more experimental personal approach to making with confidence.<br>- Prepare experimental work appropriately and safely before firing.<br>- Fully understand the health and safety guidelines associated with all ceramic practice.This course is either for the adventurous beginner or more ideally for those with some experience of ceramic practice.<br>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.You will be taught through demonstrations, illustrated talks and handouts, individual and group discussions.<p>There is a charge of £2.75 per 500g for clay before firing, the porcelain charge is £24:00 per bag/ £12:00 per half bag.<br><br>All basic tools and equipment are provided. Please bring additional personal tools if you have them. You will be<br>asked to bring in simple cheap metal objects such as nails and organic materials such as dried plants, rice, paper, and cloth. This will be explained in depth in the first session. Please bring a sketchbook in which to record results and develop ideas. A camera or a camera phone is very useful for making a visual record.</p><p>In the final week you will need to pay for materials that you have used, payments to be made by contactless card reader.</p><p>Part-time, full-time courses and workshops are available at City Lit. Advanced students will be encouraged into more adventurous projects. There will also be a glazing session at the beginning of September for those wanting to glaze pieces of work made during the Summer Term (course codes VR767 and VR766).<br><br>After completing this course, depending on your level of experience, you may also be interested in VR710 City Lit Ceramics ‘ VR711 Ceramics Intermediate course’. Please check the website for the full range of ceramics courses. Courses may be subject to change<br><br> </p>Ceramics & sculptureCeramics & potteryvirtual3037459Experimental ceramics649649https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/r/vr747_experimental_ceramics_10.jpgInStockDaytimeSunKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekend2027-05-30T00:00:00+00:00Some experience, AdvancedMay 2027Art & designVR747649649Experimental ceramics519422649Tana Westexperimental-ceramics/vr747-2627A chance to use different clays with the addition of oxides, fluxing agents and natural combustible materials. Fuse found objects in the kiln, make biscuit slips and investigate the textural possibilities of glazes.0000-Available|2027-05-30 00:00:00This experimental ceramics workshop will focus on less conventional ways of making, introducing new and unfamiliar ways of hand building using a variety of different clays. You will be able to explore the potential of glaze-making to create textural surfaces; fire metal and organic objects in saggers (boxes made of clay), and ultimately discover a more immediate expressive approach to ceramic practice.A chance to use different clays with the addition of oxides, fluxing agents and natural combustible materials. Fuse found objects in the kiln, make biscuit slips and investigate the textural possibilities of glazes.<p>This short course will investigate:<br>- Paper clay, exploring its properties and its potential as a medium for expression.<br>- Discover the exciting things that happen when you add combustible materials to clay such as saw dust pearlite and rice.<br>- The making of glazes which will produce textural qualities imitating volcanic surfaces<br>- Transforming found objects by dipping them into casting slip.<br>- Saggers - clay boxes to contain metal and organic objects during the firing process.</p>- Explore Paper Clay, its specific properties and how to use and fire it.<br>- Mix a glaze; test a glaze; evaluate tests and apply to your work.<br>- Dip combustible materials into porcelain casting slip.<br>- Develop a more experimental personal approach to making with confidence.<br>- Prepare experimental work appropriately and safely before firing.<br>- Fully understand the health and safety guidelines associated with all ceramic practice.<p>This course is either for the adventurous beginner or more ideally for those with some experience of ceramic practice. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations. 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.</p>You will be taught through demonstrations, illustrated talks and handouts, individual and group discussions.<p>All basic tools and equipment are provided. You will be asked to bring in simple cheap metal objects such as nails and organic materials such as dried plants, rice, paper, and cloth. This will be explained in depth in the first session. Please bring a sketchbook in which to record results and develop ideas. A camera or a camera phone is very useful for making a visual record.</p><p>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.</p><p>In the final week you will need to pay for materials that you have used, payments to be made by contactless card reader.</p><p>VR708 Pottery Intermediate.</p>Ceramics & sculptureCeramics & potteryvirtual479,519599,649389,422VR747NONESun30/05/27 - 04/07/2710:00 - 17:0010:0017:006 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksWeekendKSKeeley StreetTana WestSome experience, AdvancedAvailable courses2026-06-07T00:00:00+00:00,2027-05-30T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeJun 2026,May 2027Art & design599599,649Experimental ceramicsexperimental-ceramics/vr747-2526,experimental-ceramics/vr747-2627A chance to use different clays with the addition of oxides, fluxing agents and natural combustible materials. Fuse found objects in the kiln, make biscuit slips and investigate the textural possibilities of glazes.0000-Available|2027-05-30 00:00:00This experimental ceramics workshop will focus on less conventional ways of making, introducing new and unfamiliar ways of hand building using a variety of different clays. You will be able to explore the potential of glaze-making to create textural surfaces; fire metal and organic objects in saggers (boxes made of clay), and ultimately discover a more immediate expressive approach to ceramic practice.A chance to use different clays with the addition of oxides, fluxing agents and natural combustible materials. Fuse found objects in the kiln, make biscuit slips and investigate the textural possibilities of glazes.This short course will investigate:<br>- Paper clay, exploring its properties and its potential as a medium for expression. <br>- Discover the exciting things that happen when you add combustible materials to clay such as saw dust pearlite and rice.<br>- The making of glazes which will produce textural qualities imitating volcanic surfaces<br>- Transforming found objects by dipping them into casting slip.<br>- Saggers - clay boxes to contain metal and organic objects during the firing process.,<p>This short course will investigate:<br>- Paper clay, exploring its properties and its potential as a medium for expression.<br>- Discover the exciting things that happen when you add combustible materials to clay such as saw dust pearlite and rice.<br>- The making of glazes which will produce textural qualities imitating volcanic surfaces<br>- Transforming found objects by dipping them into casting slip.<br>- Saggers - clay boxes to contain metal and organic objects during the firing process.</p>- Explore Paper Clay, its specific properties and how to use and fire it.<br>- Mix a glaze; test a glaze; evaluate tests and apply to your work.<br>- Dip combustible materials into porcelain casting slip.<br>- Develop a more experimental personal approach to making with confidence.<br>- Prepare experimental work appropriately and safely before firing.<br>- Fully understand the health and safety guidelines associated with all ceramic practice.This course is either for the adventurous beginner or more ideally for those with some experience of ceramic practice.<br>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.,<p>This course is either for the adventurous beginner or more ideally for those with some experience of ceramic practice. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations. 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.</p>You will be taught through demonstrations, illustrated talks and handouts, individual and group discussions.<p>There is a charge of £2.75 per 500g for clay before firing, the porcelain charge is £24:00 per bag/ £12:00 per half bag.<br><br>All basic tools and equipment are provided. Please bring additional personal tools if you have them. You will be<br>asked to bring in simple cheap metal objects such as nails and organic materials such as dried plants, rice, paper, and cloth. This will be explained in depth in the first session. Please bring a sketchbook in which to record results and develop ideas. A camera or a camera phone is very useful for making a visual record.</p><p>In the final week you will need to pay for materials that you have used, payments to be made by contactless card reader.</p>,<p>All basic tools and equipment are provided. You will be asked to bring in simple cheap metal objects such as nails and organic materials such as dried plants, rice, paper, and cloth. This will be explained in depth in the first session. Please bring a sketchbook in which to record results and develop ideas. A camera or a camera phone is very useful for making a visual record.</p><p>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.</p><p>In the final week you will need to pay for materials that you have used, payments to be made by contactless card reader.</p><p>Part-time, full-time courses and workshops are available at City Lit. Advanced students will be encouraged into more adventurous projects. There will also be a glazing session at the beginning of September for those wanting to glaze pieces of work made during the Summer Term (course codes VR767 and VR766).<br><br>After completing this course, depending on your level of experience, you may also be interested in VR710 City Lit Ceramics ‘ VR711 Ceramics Intermediate course’. Please check the website for the full range of ceramics courses. Courses may be subject to change<br><br> </p>,<p>VR708 Pottery Intermediate.</p>Ceramics & sculptureCeramics & potteryconfigurable
