Eight week evening course in ceramics - intermediate

Our studio is based in the creative bustling area of Leith. Public transport is good, with buses running along the street and the tram a short walk away. We are on the ground floor in our self contained studio.

Held on Thursday evenings, each weekly class will be from 6 - 8.30pm. This course is aimed at those with some prior experience (this could be a taster class, longer course or individual tuition, with us or elsewhere) who want to build on their skills and knowledge. As its longer than some of our other courses, its ideal for those who want to explore a range of techniques, or narrow down and go into more depth on what they want to focus on. You may want to spend longer on each piece or experiment with new techniques. We can help you develop your own individual approaches and as numbers are limited there will be lots of input on your projects. 

Run by both of us (Fiona and Chris), you will be able to benefit from our varied approaches and expertise. A couple of different stoneware clays are used at the studio, with different textures and colour responses and suited to different methods of making. Most of the demonstrations will be in the first few weeks and then you will be able to work on individual projects. As appropriate, we can include other demos to suit each student. 

It will include different kinds of handbuilding. Firstly, the traditional method of coil building which is ideal for making unique vessels or sculptures. Fiona, who mainly specialises in coil building, will take you through the different stages of making and refining your individual pieces over a few weeks. We will also be covering slab-building, another popular technique where you create pieces out of sheets of clay (these will be prepared for you in advance so are at the right consistency, and we will show you how to prepare your own slabs for later sessions). We have a selection of press moulds for you to use for dishes and plates as well. Other handbuilding techniques will be included as appropriate, such as carving or pinching forms, or combinations of a couple of techniques. 

Wheelthrowing will be taught by Chris, his main specialism. As you build on your skills and confidence at the wheel over the weeks you will be able to try new forms; jugs, plates, candle holders and more. He will help you plan what you want to make, and work with each student to achieve individual goals.

Surface decoration is a big part of the course - we will cover slip decoration (painting, monoprinting and stencilling for example), markmaking, and creating texture and pattern. We have a range of coloured slips and glazes for you to use. You can create some small test pieces experimenting with combinations of layered slips and glazes; these will help you decide how you decorate your bigger pieces.

Throughout the course you will be able to switch between different projects and techniques, and learn a lot about the different stages involved in making your own unique ceramic pieces. We tend not to be too prescriptive- we will show you how to plan and make pieces, to enable you to feel confident in working with clay, and let you choose what you make and explore your creativity. Most weeks we will be working on a couple of different things and switching between techniques as appropriate, allowing the clay to dry when needed.

As its a working studio, you will be able to see our own work in progress and handle finished pots in our studio shop space (while we have classes running the shutters are down and its shut to members of the public so you won't have an audience!).

All materials are provided, and the use of tools and equipment. Everything is prepped and fired for you. 

£380 per person, inclusive of materials, preparation, firings, use of tools and booking fee. There is a maximum of 5 places on this course.