Background - Colored clay techniques have been in use for over 4000 years, and yet aside from closely related slip decorating methods, they have been largely ignored in the evolution of Western ceramics in favor of glaze surfaces where the true nature of the claybody is often concealed.   Except for isolated historic examples such as pate-sur-pate, basaltware, sprigging, and marbleized wares, it is only recently that colored clays have become a visible part of the ceramics mainstream.  Colored clays and slips offer extraordinary richness and depth of color which is distinctly different from glazed surfaces.  With patterned colored clay loaves, you can achieve a multitude of pattern and image effects available through no other ceramic technique.

Workshop Description - This workshop is designed to provide a thorough introduction to patterned-loaf colored clay techniques in a relaxed but productive atmosphere.  Although previous experience with clay is an advantage, these techniques can also provide a good beginning in clayworking.  Subjects to be covered include toxicity concerns with colored clays, oxides, and ceramic stains, making/mixing colored clays, marbleized and patterned colored clay loaf construction, lamination of colored clay veneer onto slabs and forms, creation and use of colored clay murrini, construction of simple soft-slab and stiff-slab forms, simple slumped soft-slab plates and bowls, use of colored clays in wheel-thrown forms.

With every workshop group the pace is different, and it is conceivable that we might not cover all the subjects listed above.  Foreseeing that possibility, you will receive handouts which include all the technical information and describe the methods in detail.  This should provide enough information for you to continue with your colored clay work after the workshop is over.  The pace at which you work is entirely up to you, but I recommend that you attempt to do all of the colored clay loaf patterns during the workshop so that I can assist you with questions or problems.  We will bisque-fire as much work as possible to simplify transport, but the primary emphasis of this workshop is on patterned clay loaf development.

A great appeal of colored-clay techniques is that very effective work can be created with a minimum of studio facilities and equipment.  A slab-roller, spray-booth, potter's wheels and hi-fire kiln are nice to have, but this kind of work can be done very effectively with nothing more than work tables and an electric kiln.

We will accomplish a lot in the next five days, and you can get a great deal of work done if you are diligent.  I encourage you to be inventive and to make things which are meaningful to you.  However, if you want to learn all of the loaf patterns and also try some soft-slab and stiff-slab forms, I recommend you keep the latter simple and small.  This will also help with rapid drying and firing.

Materials Supplied by Host - Gritless white midrange clay (as white as possible in the damp state), Mason stains (#6600 Best Black, #6464 Yellow Zirconium, #6300 Mazerine Blue, #6126 Hazelnut, #6223 Ivy Green - one pound each for my demos, 1/2 pound each for each student), one gallon white vinegar, one pint of slurry made from the base clay, one box each of quart and gallon Ziploc bags, one roll of plastic wrap, one standard propane canister for a propane torch (I'll bring the torch). 

Note: Generally, clay, stains, and cutting/slicing jigs are furnished by the workshop host, with cost of stains, cutting/slicing jigs, and the first box of clay included in fees paid by participants.  Additional clay should be available for purchase onsite.   

Facilities and Equipment Provided by Host - Digital projector, appropriately dark room with large screen or large white wall, work tables, 24" stool, electric kiln, potter’s wheels, slab-roller (optional), clay veneer slicer and vertical slicing frame for instructor and each participant, foamboard or plaster slump molds, one plastic spray-bottle for vinegar water, two clear plastic snap-lid storage bins approximately 18" by 24" by 8" deep.

Suggested Schedule for Five-Day Workshop

If you are interested in hosting one of my workshops, please contact me for terms, pricing, and scheduling.