Skip to content

Pottery : Ceramics – Hand Building and Decorating Techniques – Mixed Ability

  • STRODE'S COLLEGE
  • ENTRY
Apply
Student enjoying pottery.

Course Overview

TThis course is designed for the hobby potter who has mastered basic hand building skills, feels confident with clay but wants to gain experience working on a structured, challenging project.
As examples, past projects included pinching a slab built teapot, slab building abstract vessels with bespoke slump moulds, coiling large pots, building slab vessels with nested lids, and using moulds to make sculptural items, using different types of clay.
To hear what our students say about their experience studying with us, and watch the classes in action please see Here

This course is taught at the Strodes College campus in Egham, Surrey, where you will learn from experienced teaching staff in a supportive learning environment.

Course Code

XEZZCRA1S0

Course Fee
£235.00
Start Time

18:30

End Time

21:00

End Date

Mon, 23 Nov 2026

Entry Requirements

You should have completed a beginners class or have basic skills already

Course information

You will be encouraged to build upon and expand on your own interests during the class. Some projects will be set by your tutor to expand your knowledge of building and decoration techniques. In addition, you will be able to build upon and expand on your own interests and projects during the class. Hand building techniques such as pinch pots, coiling, slab techniques and slumping in moulds will be covered, to an intermediate level.

Decorative techniques covered throughout the course include slip work, slip trailing, under glazes, resist techniques, sgraffito, incising, inlaying, sprigging, and the application of glazes.
You will be encouraged to keep a sketch book in respect of your designs, sketches and technical notes. Expanding your knowledge through online resources such as, but not exclusively, Pinterest, YouTube, and Ceramic websites

20 hours, one evening a week for 8 weeks

The course is designed to introduce the student gradually to methods of making pottery and to the student who has had some previous experience in handling clay. There will be an opportunity to use the potter’s wheel.
For the beginner it is important to attend the first two consecutive sessions in order to familiarise oneself with the material. There will be various techniques introduced then which are important for advancement. Each pot made will be first fired when it has dried out. The student will then glaze the pot before it is fired again. Each piece will be ready to take home within three to four weeks of it being made.
Homework is voluntary but students who have the time may find it useful to keep a sketchbook in which to jot down ideas. Students may find it useful to keep a file in which to keep photographs of their work and hand-outs.

This is not an accredited course – it does not lead to a formal qualification.
Each student’s progression is rewarded through teacher assessment

The size and number of items created will be limited, in order for them to be completed to a high standard and fired. Please note you may need to collect items after the course has finished.