Hand Building Houses
Using slab building and decal techniques
Wednesday 18th - Thursday 19th June AND Monday 21st - Tuesday 22nd July 2025
SUMMARY
The main objective of this course is for students to build a wonderful and realistic version of their own house (or a building that they love) using slab building techniques and photographic transfers. Students will also have the opportunity to make a number of other buildings within this exciting course.
This workshop will be split into two parts. The first two days will be spent hand building the structure of each student’s house or building and the second part will take place four weeks later once the pieces have been bisque fired and glazed. When students return for the second part of the workshop they will learn to use photographic transfers to bring their structures to life.
THE COURSE IN DETAIL
The first part of the workshop will be spent creating the structure of houses/buildings. Students will be asked to bring in pictures of their chosen house or building and, using these, Alice will assist students in working out how to create the main body of their building.
Alice will demonstrate how to roll the perfect slabs to achieve the right clay consistency, and how to attach slabs to each other to make sturdy, robust models.
Throughout the workshop Alice will give demonstrations on how to create features such as chimneys, bay windows, balconies, and any other, unique feature of each building.
As well as building their own house, students will also have the opportunity to create some additional buildings using paper template. Alice will show students how to use slabs of clay to create different architectural styles.
There will be a four-week gap until the second part of the workshop, to give time for the pieces to dry, then be bisque fired and then glazed in white before being fired again.
During this time Alice will also create transfers for the bespoke houses ready for the students when they return for part two.
The second part of the workshop will involve learning how to apply the photographic transfers to the glazed structures. Demonstrations will be given on how to cut and line up the imagery and ensure a smooth application.
The final day will see students perfecting their models with Alice’s guidance. Students will be able to colour match their imagery to fill gaps and Alice will give her tips of the trade on how to fix any imperfections using secret techniques that she has developed over the years.
Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Please see our Student Contract (below) for details.
About alice
Alice Mara is a ceramic artist with over twenty years’ experience and is widely acclaimed for her skilled craftsmanship and innovative designs. She is confident and ambitious in her work and has won industry awards including the Ella Doran Award for Best New Designer, the Queensbury Hunt Award for innovative use of ceramics, and the Royal Academy of Scottish Art Award for Best Female Sculptor.
THE SCHEDULE
DAY 1 - Arrive 9am Wednesday 18th June
Welcome Breakfast (from 9am - 10am). The session will start at 10am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
DAY 2 - Arrive 9:30am Thursday 19th June
On the second day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
DAY 3 - Arrive 9:30am Monday 21st July On the third day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
DAY 4 - Arrive 9:30am Tuesday 22nd July On the final day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
A two-course lunch is provided every day. Please inform us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
PAYMENT
This cost for this four-day course is £1,100. This cost includes all necessary materials, tools, refreshments, a superb two-course lunch every day and a Welcome Breakfast on the first day.
You can pay in full or pay a deposit by clicking on the ‘Book Now’ button above. If you choose to pay a deposit we will contact you to arrange paying the remainder of your balance in instalments.
Before you book a course, please make sure you read our terms and conditions page here.
Please also read our Student Contract here.
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
The Ceramic Studio is located on a beautiful orchard in Brenchley, and there are lots of lovely surrounding towns and villages offering numerous places to stay.
We are happy to arrange transits to and from your accommodation to the studio for the duration of your course. Please get in touch to arrange this. Please email the office team at info@theceramicstudio.co.uk. To see examples of local accommodation, click here.
Date: Wednesday 18th - Thursday 19th June AND Monday 21st - Tuesday 22nd July 2025
Duration: Four-day workshop
Venue: The Ceramic Studio (Brenchley)
Class Size: Maximum 10 students
Level: All levels welcome.
Clay Type: Stoneware
Cost: £1,100 (pay in full or in instalments)
