Painting on Clay: Hand Built Pottery & Vibrant Slip Decoration 

Thursday 10th - Friday 11th July 2025

SUMMARY

This intensive two-day course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to hand building with a specific focus on the slab technique. The course will also emphasize colourful surface decoration using stains with slip, allowing students to create vibrant and unique pottery pieces.

THE COURSE IN DETAIL

Master the Slab Technique: Students will learn how to roll, cut, and assemble clay slabs to create pottery forms. 

Explore Shaping and Moulding: Students will develop skills in shaping and moulding clay slabs into pots and other forms. 

Apply Colourful Surface Techniques: Students will experiment with various methods for decorating pottery surfaces using colourful underglazes, slips, and other decorative techniques. 

Complete and Finish Pottery: Students will understand the processes of drying, bisque firing, and glazing.

Course Breakdown

Day 1: Fundamentals of Slab Construction and Basic Surface Techniques 

AM – During the morning on the first day, Dee will provide an introduction to different types of clay suitable for hand-building and give demonstrations in slab rolling and cutting techniques. Students will practice rolling out slabs, create simple forms using slab construction and learn about joining techniques and seam blending. 

PM – Students will apply the techniques learned in the morning to create basic pottery forms and start to build their pieces. Dee will guide the group as a whole and give individual support.

Day 2: Advanced Slab Techniques and Colourful Surface Decoration 

AM – During the morning of the second day Dee will introduce colourful surface techniques. Students will receive an overview of underglazes, slips, and other colourful decoration methods and Dee will give demonstrations in application techniques.

PM – Students will start to practice applying colourful surface techniques to their pottery forms. Students will experiment with different methods to achieve their desired effects. At the end of the day Dee will lead a Final Critique and Course Wrap-Up 

By the end of this two-day intensive course, students will have acquired essential skills in pottery hand-building using the slab technique and will be able to create and decorate colorful, unique pottery pieces. This course serves as a foundation for further exploration and practice in pottery. 

FIRING

This is an intensive making and refining course and there will be no specific kiln firing during the week, however, we will encourage students to keep, and finish, just a few carefully selected pieces.

Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Details of our firing charges can be found in our Student Contract.

Please read our Student Contract here.

Please also note, we do not offer a glazing service..

About Dee

Dee Barnes grew up in London and won a place to study at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance while still in her teens.

After leaving college, she performed in theatres up and down the country. Dee’s yearning to create work less ephemeral led her first to the clay, then jewellery and now she is back with a focus on clay in her every day practice. 

Dee’s home studio is based in Grantham and aside from her creative practice, she has set up and run a number of successful, cutting-edge, contemporary craft galleries. 

When not busy in her studio, or attending fairs and exhibitions, Dee enjoys her role as a practising ceramics tutor at both Leicester and Loughborough Universities and mentor within the creative industries. She is registered on the Crafts Council Directory and is an associate member of The Craft Potters association and London Potters. 

THE SCHEDULE

DAY 1 - Arrive 9am Thursday 10th July
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 Friday 11th July
On the second day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 4pm. All facilities will close at 4pm.

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 two-day course is £400. 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.

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS COURSE YOU MAY FIND THE ANSWER IN OUR GUEST POTTER FAQ SECTION

Date: Thursday 10th - Friday 11th July 2025

Duration: Two-day workshop

Venue: The Ceramic Studio (Brenchley)

Class Size: Maximum 10 students

Level: Suitable for all levels

Clay type: Stoneware

Cost: £400 (pay in full or in instalments)