If you have some experience of ceramics and would like to develop your skills further, perhaps with a view to selling or exhibiting your work, or just for pleasure, then this course is for you.
Arange of making and decorating techniques will be demonstrated, along with glazing and firing methods. You will be encouraged to build up a body of work in your own individual style suitable for exhibiting and selling.
Projects will be set which might require you to do some visual research, and will allow you to interpret things in your own way.
You will probably find it beneficial to keep sketch books or work journals of inspirational material from the internet, magazines and books, and to make sketches and technical notes as you progress.
Course Outcomes
• You will learn how to select and prepare clay for hand building or throwing
• You will learn how to construct a form using hand building or throwing technique
• You will learn the skills to create at least one finished glazed piece of work
• You will Keep a sketchbook, notebook or digital notes to record your work and to collect inspiration.
• You will discuss your aims with your tutor and come up with some achievable personal targets for the course, making progress in independent projects and identifying skills to learn or improve.
CLAY AND GLAZING
The cost of slip, glazes and kiln firings are included with the cost of the clay, which learners buy as needed from the technicians’ office. Learners will need an FFP3 mask for glazing, also available to buy from the technicians’ office.
There are various types of clay available, and the tutor will explain which clay is appropriate for which project. Glazing will be done throughout the course, bearing in mind strict health and safety rules.
Pieces will normally take about two weeks to dry out and bisque fire (the first of two firings) and another one to two weeks to be returned after the glaze firing. Any work which is bigger than 28cm (H), 38 cm (W) and 28cm (D), or over 5kg in weight, will incur an extra charge.
All learners will be asked to keep detailed notes in their sketch books regarding each piece made, noting clay used, decoration applied, glaze(s) used, firing temperatures and approximate size. This could record could also be kept digitally and include photos of the work.
To be eligible for this course you must be 19 or over on 31st August prior to the course start date.
Please attend and be on time for the first lesson as it will cover a lot of basic information. Please also bring an apron, sketchbook and pen. You may have already got some tools to bring along too. If not, this equipment will be provided.
On the first day of the course, the tutor will inform you of any materials that may be required for this course.
To successfully complete this course, you must commit to aim for 100% attendance and punctuality.
The assessment process is carried out using Personal Learning Plans (PLPs) and regular discussions with the tutor.
This includes tracking your own practice through written notes and tutors written responses, gauging your progression and personal development through the course.
You could progress to a qualification course or further Ceramics courses.
No food or drink is allowed in the studio, a hub area nearby is available for snacks and drinks. If you require further course information or advice & guidance that is not answered in this outline, please email art@rhacc.ac.uk [1]
We strongly recommend that learners wear non slip, closed footwear in the pottery area as there is often a lot of dust created and the floors may become slippery when wet if there are spillages.
You will be required to pay for materials that you use from the college and for your firing. Details will be given out at the first class and prices will be dependent on materials used and size of work. You may also bring in your own glass, clay or wax etc should you wish to, however there is no storage on site for materials unless they are purchased from the college.
If you would like general information about the college, for example, fees and finance, funding, term dates or opening times please email info@racc.ac.uk [2] or drop in to our main reception area.