Ceramics for the Intermediate with Kevin Andrew Morris

At the start of this 9-week course you will be taught the foundations of clay, clay bodies and clay preparation.

You will explore a series of hand building techniques such as pinching, coiling, slab building and carving.

Through these techniques you will experiment with shaping, building, and adapting different forms whilst developing your understanding of clay. In addition, you will be taught how to make clay stamps by carving plaster, a process that will allow you to test indenting different designs or textures into clay.

Following this you will be introduced to a variety of mould making techniques.

Firstly, you will be invited to create a one-piece plaster mould in the form of a simple ‘drop out mould’. This can be achieved using a simple found object, sourced independently.

Secondly, you will be invited to learn two separate techniques called ‘Press Moulding’ and ‘Hump Moulding’ both of which will be introduced via demonstration.

Thirdly, you will be introduced to slip casting, a technique whereby a mixture of clay and water is poured into a mould made of plaster.

Furthermore, you are invited to learn how to decorate your work using finishing techniques such as inlay, incising, sgraffito stencils, slip trailing, combing, marbling or agateware and glazing. 

Lastly, you are invited to learn alternative finishing techniques via the process of ‘Raku Firing’; a low temperature earthenware firing which involves a rapid firing cycle. Through this process you can learn how to treat your bisque fired work by plunging pieces into sawdust or by quenching work directly into water.

Learning Methods

This course will be delivered on campus from 18:30 – 21:00 on Wednesdays for 9 weeks.

Activity Summary

• Minimum of 8 students, maximum of 10 in the group
• 22.5 hours of teaching in total over 9 evenings, 18:30 – 21:00

Timetable

• Week 1: 15 January 2025 - workshops start
• Week 2: 22 January
• Week 3: 29 January
• Week 4: 5 February
• 12 February - no class due to public holiday
• Week 5: 19 February
• Week 6: 26 February
• Week 7: 5 March
• Week 8: 12 March
• Week 9: 19 March – last workshop

Independent Study

This course allows participants to develop independent projects with both guidance and demonstration from the tutor. Participants are encouraged to carry out research into their own personal interests to direct their projects and their own creative practice. In week 3 participants are asked to bring an object to make a one-piece mould also known as a drop out mould. Alternatively, participants can make a multiple part mould. Details in relation to this will be discussed during the first two workshops.

For Academic Year 2024/2025

Course fee: £270 per person

The fee is to be paid as part of sign up process and prior to the first session.

After completing the registration form, you will be directed to the payment page. Your place on the course is not confirmed until payment has been received. If you have any difficulties locating the payment link or if you have registered for this course but have not completed the payment form, please contact us for a direct link to pay which will bypass registration.

Additional Costs

Essential core materials are provided. 

The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:

• Accommodation and living costs
• Printing

Course Cancellation

If minimum participant numbers for this course are not met, the course will be cancelled and participants will receive a full refund.

If you have registered and paid for your place on the course, but now wish to cancel, please email engage@rgu.ac.uk at least 48 hours prior to the first evening session commencing.

Disclaimer

For new intakes course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in advance. For further information see: