From the ground up – coiling with clay with Jane Sheppard

Jane’s aim is to give students confidence to progress independently and introduce them to the very human, uplifting joys of coiling.

This three-day course is devised as an access to those in the earlier stage of their hand building journey. Jane will share her experience as practitioner, lecturer, teacher and Interfaith Minister to guide students through what clay is, how to prepare it, look after it, work with it and refine it. Over three steady-but-full days students will become familiar with clay properties and coiling skills. Learning through demos and practice, students will meet common difficulties and learn how to avoid them.

Students will gain a thorough, gentle and inclusive grounding that will enable them to progress independently. Students will discover what they need, what they don’t, and have a bank of tips embedded by practice.

Course Breakdown

Day 1: Students will ‘Get Started’. Students will learn clay preparation techniques, receive an introduction to clay types and an introduction to pinching and coil-making.

Day 2: Students will ‘Become Familiar’. Students will work with moulds, join clay, work in clay-time, control form.

Day 3: Students will ‘Gain Confidence and Execute Decisions’. Students will learn how to attach handles, refine their skills, burnish and incise.

FIRING

This is an intensive making and refining course and there will be no specific kiln firing during the week. Students’ coiled pieces will be fired following the workshop and 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 also note, we do not offer a glazing service.

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