Ceramic Animals
Monday 27th - Wednesday 29th October 2025
AND
Monday 24th - Tuesday 25th November 2025
Summary
During this five-day workshop students will make a standing animal of their choice, as well as a wall-mounted animal head and a wall-mounted animal positioned in a dynamic pose, using James’s unique sculpting techniques.
ABOUT THE COURSE
This five-day workshop will allow students to create their own sculpted animals using a contemporary technique that is loose, expressive and breaks all the rules! The technique is fast and easy to learn and brings energy and grace to the creations.
Students will make a wall mounted animal portrait head as well as a four-legged standing animal and a wall-mounted animal in a dynamic pose. James will give a series of demonstrations throughout the course that will show the key stages and principles for creating the animal structures.
Once completed, the sculptures will be dried out and then fired in our kilns. Students will then be asked to return four weeks later for a two-day glazing session to bring colour and life to their pieces.
Please only book this course if you can attend all five dates: 27th, 28th, 29th October and 24th, 25th November 2025.
Each student will receive plenty of individual attention as well as continued advice and guidance from James.
COURSE BREAKDOWN
Day 1 – Create wall-mounted animal heads: Students will make the head of any animal of their choice - be it a mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian. James will guide students in making an armature and then demonstrate how to add clay by breaking down the head into key muscle groups and shapes.
Day 2 – Create four-legged standing animals: On day two students will tackle the more challenging part of the course – creating their four-legged animal. Students will learn how to make an armature using a range of material and techniques, and will build on the skills they learnt on day one.
Day 3 – Create wall-mounted dynamic animals: Students will take the skills they have learnt over the first two days and use them to create a full bodied animal with extra life, movement and dynamism. James will guide students to capture their chosen animal in a single second action – be it leaping, jumping, running, pouncing or fighting.
Four-week break
Day 4 – Underglazing: During the four-week break the students’ pieces will be bisque fired. During day four James will teach students how best to apply underglazes. James will give details demonstrations and will talk about underglaze application. James will be on hand all all times to assist students in getting their animals exactly as they want them.
Day 5 – Continuation of underglazing: During the final day of the course James will assist students in finalising the decoration of their animals using underglazing techniques.
FIRING
After the first part of the workshop in October, students’ pieces will be bisque fired ready for the second part of the workshop in November. Students will then decorate their sculptures and these will be fired again following the workshop. All final sculptures will be ready for collection at a later date.
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 James
James is a wildlife artist and his work has been exhibited in local and national exhibitions. Creating in ceramic is his main love but he also makes art using wire, mixed media, painting, and drawing.
He discovered sculpture when he became manager of the Phoenix Studio – an art school in Oxfordshire. Having a lifelong fascination with wildlife and a former career in conservation, James uses his understanding of anatomy and form to push ceramics to its limits. He teaches sculpture and is passionate about using his art to benefit others – be it wildlife or mankind. James was very much inspired and influenced by his nature loving Grandfather, Brian Price Thomas who illustrated a number of the Ladybird Children Books.
THE SCHEDULE
Monday 27th October (arrive at 9am)
Welcome breakfast (9am - 10am) – an opportunity to meet James Ort and your fellow students. The session will run from 10am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
Tuesday 28th October (arrive 9:30am) The session will run from 9.30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
Wednesday 29th October (arrive 9:30am)
The session will run from 9.30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
Monday 24th November (arrive at 9:30am) The glazing session will run from 9.30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
Tuesday 25th November (arrive at 9:30am) The glazing session will run from 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.
COST
This cost for this five-day course is £1,100. This cost includes all necessary materials, tools, refreshments and a superb two-course lunch every day. Also included is a Welcome breakfast which will be provided on the first day of the course.
Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Please see our Student Contract (below) for details.
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 Guest Potter Course, please read our terms and conditions page here.
Please also read our Student Contract here.
TRAVEL AND ACCOMODATION
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: 27th, 28th & 29th October AND 24th & 25th November 2025
Duration: Five-day workshop
Venue: The Ceramic Studio (Brenchley)
Class Size: Maximum 10 students
Level: Suitable for both beginners and experienced artists.
Clay Type: Stoneware
Cost: £1,100 (pay in full or in instalments)
“I recently attended The Ceramic Studio on a guest tutor workshop creating ceramic animals with James Ort. What a magical four days they were.
Spent in a beautiful studio, with a fantastic group of students all under the guidance of James who kindly and patiently shared his technique and knowledge, and encouraged creativity and to find our own way with the process. Making a technical process achievable to each of us and being honest when things both needed to be reworked or encouraged to fight on and trust the process.
I achieved far more than I could ever have imagined, as the only complete newcomer to the wonderful world of clay in our group, I never felt disadvantaged or on a back foot and finished the four days feeling proud of my pieces and hungry for more. Total escapism and leaving with new friends. Couldn’t recommend it more highly. ”
