Surface Treatment on Clay

There is a particular satisfaction in following a piece of clay through its whole journey: centring it on the wheel, drawing it up into form, decorating its surface by hand, and finally bringing it to life with glaze. This two-session workshop combines wheel throwing, surface decoration, and glazing, guiding participants through the full process from raw clay to finished ceramic. In the first session, participants will throw their own forms — bowls, cups, or small vessels — before turning to surface treatments such as carving, stamping, texturing, sgraffito, and the application of coloured slips and underglazes to add depth, pattern, and personal expression. After the pieces are bisque fired, participants return for the second session to learn glazing techniques and apply their chosen glazes, completing the surface designs begun earlier. By the end, each participant will have created their own finished, individually decorated ceramic pieces.

Why Choose This Workshop?
This workshop welcomes participants of every level, from complete beginners to experienced makers looking to deepen their practice — no experience or materials required. By following a piece all the way from the wheel to the final glaze, participants gain a complete understanding of how form, surface, and finish work together, something a single-session class rarely allows. The unhurried two-session structure offers time to make, reflect, and refine, making this an ideal way to build real skills and spend a few absorbing hours away from the screen.

What Participants Will Learn?
Participants will learn the fundamentals of wheel throwing — centring the clay and shaping bowls, cups, or small vessels — before exploring a range of surface decoration techniques, including carving, stamping, texturing, sgraffito, and the use of coloured slips and underglazes. In the second session, they will learn how to select and apply glazes, understanding how a final glaze interacts with the decoration beneath it to complete a piece. Along the way, they will come to understand the creative relationship between form, surface, and finish, leaving with both their own finished ceramic works and a solid foundation for continuing to work in clay.