Age Requirement: 14+

Duration: 5 consecutive weeks / 3hrs per session.

Price: £300

Course Description:

This course is designed for those who have some experience making pottery who are interested in furthering their ceramic knowledge by learning the basics of glaze mixing and glaze chemistry. This course focuses on establishing a good understanding of what glaze is, and the components that make glazes work, as well as the processes for mixing and testing batches of glaze for personal use.

Participants in this course will learn about a variety of raw materials used in the ceramic industry as they work individually and in groups to test the effects of various materials on selected glaze recipes. Participants will learn the process of volumetric blending to achieve desired glaze results. At the end of this course each participant will have made a small batch of their own unique glaze to use on their work. 

Course Schedule:

This course will run for a duration of 5 consecutive weeks in 3 hour sessions. Due to the rolling developmental nature of this course it is expected that participants attend each session as we will be firing and analysing test samples on a weekly basis. The test results will ultimately drive the course.  The 6 week schedule will run as follows. 

Week 1: Introduction to Glaze Development, Preparing Test Materials. 

This week we will discuss glazes, glaze testing, and what to look for in a ceramic glaze. We will talk about setting up and designing tests to best achieve a desired result in glaze development.  And we will be using clay to make and prepare testing materials and supports. To be used for the duration of the course. 

Demonstration and Objective: Making slab test tiles.

Week 2: Batch Mixing and line blends

This week we will briefly discuss raw materials and the roles they play in forming the glaze surface, along with a discussion on safety when working with raw materials. Participants will learn how to safely and effectively mix a small batch of glaze for testing. Each participant will mix a test batch of glaze from a given recipe. Participants will learn about measuring specific gravity to ensure glaze accuracy, and will test their glaze mixtures by dipping test tiles for various amounts of time to see what the glaze will look like when applied thick or thin. With any leftover glaze material participants will pick a partner to do a line blend with their glaze mixtures to see if and how a glaze surface changes by changing the recipe’s contents. 

Demonstration & Objective: Batch mixing, volumetric blending (line blend)

Week 3: Glaze Analysis, and Making pots for final glaze

This week we will be looking at the fired results of the base glazes from the previous week and using the results to select an area of focus moving forward into our glaze development. Participants can choose to work either from the original glaze recipe, or they can choose a focus area from the line blends. If selecting a glaze from the line blends participants will calculate the new glaze recipe prior to mixing their batch. After batches are mixed and new test tiles are dipped, the remainder of time will be given to make small bowls or cups to glaze for their final project.

Demonstration & Objective: Calculating a glaze from known recipes. 

Week 4: Glaze Analysis, Quadraxial blends, Oxides and Opacifiers

This week we will be looking at the fired results from week 3 to ensure that our base glazes are suitable for use, and we will be diving into the world of colour, and surface by adding oxides, stains, and opacifiers to our glazes. Using a quadraxial blend, participants will select 4 colourants to add to their glaze recipe, and they will mix 4 small batches for each colourant. Using volumetric blending participants will create a colourful grid displaying how the oxides interact with the glaze and with each other. If time,  participants will trim or fettle their work from the previous week. 

Demonstration & Objective: Batch mixing, large scale volumetric blends.

Week 5: Final Analysis, Batch Mixing and Glazing. 

This week will be the most exciting as we will be looking at the final results of our quadraxial blends and selecting one glaze to mix in a larger batch for participants to use as they please. Participants will use their glaze for the small pots made in the weeks prior. Participants are encouraged to discuss glaze results and exchange glaze recipes.

Whats Included:

• All materials, including clay and tools.

• Expert guidance from experienced tutors.

Suggested Follow up Courses:

• Hand-Building: 7 Week Course - Level 1 (Sculpture)

• Pottery Wheel: 5 Week Course - Level 1 (The Basics)

• Pottery Wheel: 5 Week Course - Level 1 (Bowls)

• Pottery Wheel: 5 Week Course - Level 1 (Mugs)