Ceramic Arts: Specialization: Traditional Techniques

Inspiration / Jeremy Bellina

Having never studied art or design, I entered this field as a blank slate. I still struggle to pinpoint as many references as my creative counterparts. Of course, I definitely look up to fellow members of the ceramic community, and many have influenced my style and practice. Fundamentally, however, I am inspired by the retro-futuristic aesthetic.

Inspiration / Sarah Pike

Let me show you now my major influences. I will explain why they have been important to me and how my style has developed.

Inspiration / Hessa Al Ajmani

I will tell you about the things and people that inspire me most, whether that's due to the way they've developed their practices or because they sparked my curiosity to explore and experiment with my own practice.

Inspiration / Nastia Calaca

I will share with you my go-to spots and some tips; how and where I boost my creativity and look for inspiration.

Inspiration / Clara Graziolino

In this lesson, I am going to tell you about a book that, in my opinion, is very important to understand the spirit of kintsugi. I will also talk to you about artists and references that inspire me when I create my sculptures.

Module 2

Join Lilly to discover the full process of creating ceramics at home, from design to the final glaze. Imagine crafting your own unique mug, vase, or pot—Lilly, with her experience at Mäe Ceramics, will guide you every step of the way. Learn to shape clay, master essential tools, and bring your designs to life in a meditative and rewarding process.

19 lessons (3h 20m)

What Will We Do in This Module?

In this lesson, we will cover exactly what I’ll be showing you in the upcoming lessons and the things that we’ll be making.

Setting Up

You are about to learn some basic skills of hand-building forms with clay. But first, I am going to show you how to set up a workspace for yourself at home.

Introduction to Clay and Ceramics

In this lesson, I’ll explain to you the main types of clay that are used in ceramics and what their uses are and a little bit about air-drying clay. I will also show you how to prepare clay to begin working with it.

Pinch Pots

Let me show you how to make a pinch pot. Pinch pots are a really basic but beautiful way to begin understanding clay and how to make pots.

Now, we’ll take our understanding of clay to the next step as I’ll show you how to make a coil pot.

Coil Pots 1

Now it is time to attach the coils to the base, I'll share my best tips and tricks to make it.

Coil Pots 2

Here, we’ll take our understanding even further by learning construction skills by making a slab pot. I’ll also show you how to make and attach a handle in this lesson.

Slab Pots 1

Slab Pots 2

Once that the slab is all smooth and ready, we are going to use it to create the components of the vase.

Let's draw some shapes to decide what to make for our larger object. Once we’re happy with our drawings, I’ll show you how to translate it into something larger to cut out and make into a template.

Designing

In this lesson, I’ll go over the skills learnt in the previous unit to make a few large slabs to use for the project.

Getting Slabs Ready

Cutting

I will show you how to take our templates from lesson one, and transfer them onto the clay. Then we’ll cut the shapes out to be used as the elements to build our vessel from.

We will get a little bit more technical as I show you how to take your prepared slabs and construct them into a vessel. This lesson requires slow movement and patience with yourself and the clay as you construct a larger piece.

Assembling Vessel 1

16m

Assembling Vessel 2

During this second part of the lesson, we are going to finish the assembly of the vessel.

In this lesson, I’ll show you how to add a little bit of character and personality to your vessel by adding adornments. I’ll cover making a bottleneck and attaching a handle.

Adding Adornments 1

16m

Adding Adornments 2

Let me show you in detail how to build and add a handle!

Finishing and Transporting

I’ll show you how to box up your finished piece in the safest way possible, ready for transporting it to the studio where it’ll be fired.

Firing

Now, I will take you through all of the changes that clay goes through on its journey to becoming ceramic, as well as a little bit of information about the kiln firing process itself.

Glazing

In this lesson, I will briefly explain glazing, and what glaze is. I will then demonstrate how to glaze your bisque vessel, ready for it to be fired again.

10m

Workspace Clean up and Clay Scraps

Last, but not least, I will show you how to wedge your clay scraps up, ready to be used to make loads more pots!

Module 3

Discover the beauty of simplicity with Jeremy Bellina and the slab technique. This method focuses on understanding clay’s natural behavior rather than relying on experience. Jeremy, who turned his passion into a profession, will guide you in creating unique ceramic pieces with just your hands and intuition. Get ready to shape, explore, and enjoy the art of pottery from home!

20 lessons (3h 46m)

Introduction to the Tools and Materials

To begin with, you will learn how to find the right clay and the essential tools. I will also teach you how to repurpose some items already in your house, so that you have the skills to be resourceful.

Understanding How Clay Behaves

From wet to bone-dry, I will teach you how to identify what leather-hard clay is. You will learn four types of clay at different levels of dryness.

Making Your Own Slip

By gently adding water to bone-dry clay, I will now teach you how to make your own slip. Slip is a very gooey kind of glue made from clay. It's important to take your time with this process—if too much water is added, you will achieve the wrong consistency.

Rolling the Clay into Slabs

An essential skill in pottery is making clay slabs. In this lesson, I will demonstrate how to create multiple flat slabs to cut out and use as templates for the bowl walls and floor.

Assembling the Mold and Creating the Walls

Next, I will show you how to make a wavy mold using the cylindrical shapes at your disposal. Then, I will lay the templates according to the corresponding future walls.

After a half-hour wait, the leather-hard wall ribbons should be dry. Then, it's time to start assembling! I will teach you how to connect all the walls together, ready to attach the bowl floor to the walls.

Connecting the Walls

Flooring, Cleaning, and Detailing

To bring the wavy bowl to a strong finish, I will show you how to connect the floor of the bowl, cut off any excess clay with a surgical knife, smoothen out the clay with a wooden modeling tool, and add any final details.

Let's draw some wavy ghost-looking silhouettes until you identify what pleases your eye! How many waves will you add? How deep will those be? These are some of the aspects that I will help you to define. However, while listening to my advice, remember that the objective of your course project is to freestyle a little. You don't have to stick to my personal plan.

Sketching the Silhouette

10m

Rolling the Slab

To create the hollow vase, we will follow a similar process to that of the wavy bowl. First, I will guide you in making multiple flat slabs. You will cut these and use them as templates for the vase walls and floor. After, I will show you how to make a wavy mold using cylindrical shapes and then lay the templates (as before).

Laying the Walls

Once again, the time to assemble has come! Let's reveal the silhouette by creating the ribbons of the inner and outer walls.

Connecting and Gluing the Walls to the Faces 1

When you have all the walls ready, the next step is to connect them and assemble both faces of the vase. In this lesson, I will show you how to do this. At this stage, your vase will come to life and start to resemble the initial sketch you created.

Connecting and Gluing the Walls to the Faces 2

Now that I'm happy with the shape of my walls, I will demonstrate how to prepare and attach the faces. Remember to imitate my process as quickly as you can to avoid the clay drying out.

Cutting and Inserting the Inner Hole 1

Let's take it one step further. I will now demonstrate how to cut the center of the vase to insert the inner wall we made in the lesson "Laying the Walls". This is the most challenging step, so if you've been struggling with the process so far and feel happy with what you've already achieved, it's possible to skip this step and jump to the finishing touches. But, if you can, I encourage you to rise to the challenge!

Cutting and Inserting the Inner Hole 2

As with all challenging steps, this part of the process requires a little more time and guidance. In the second part of this lesson, I will put my bean-shaped structure into place so that it's touching the base of my vase, before gently pushing it toward the slip and filling in the cavities.

To finish it, I will show you how to smoothen out the rough edges of the piece and cut off any excess clay with a surgical knife. Over the course of this lesson, you will see the importance of approaching this stage with caution and precision.

The Finishing Touches 1

16m

The Finishing Touches 2

Now that the walls and faces are smooth with clean edges, I will turn my attention to the base of the vase. You will learn how to patch up the floor with some flat slabs following the scratch, slip, and patch procedure. By the end, the vase will be able to stand.

Recycling the Leftover Clay

When it comes to clay, there is no waste. As long as it hasn't been fired, your dry leftover clay can still be restored to its fresh-out-the-bag status. All it needs is a little rehydration and some time.

Preparing the Glaze

To prepare for this step, your creation will need to be fired. My vase has been fired already, so it's now ready to get glazed. Before showing you how to apply your glaze with the pouring technique, I will demonstrate the preparation and mixing process.

Pouring the Glaze

It's finally time to glaze the vase using the pouring technique and the freshly-made glaze! Let's bring our creations to a strong finish.

An Alternative Glazing Method

Glazing a big piece can be tricky. Brushing the glaze is the most straightforward method. For a more refined finish, spraying the glaze in a glazing booth is ideal (but you probably don't have access to this). Dipping the pieces isn't always an option. But luckily, there's the pouring method. In this clip, I do just that! I will show you how to pour the glaze onto both faces of your piece, making sure that no spot is left nude. Once the glaze is dry, if you feel like you applied too much or don't like the drips, you can gently remove the top layer with a blade. Be careful not to remove too much, or the stone will show. Please note that this tutorial doesn't contain any dialogue.

Module 4

Explore the art of textured ceramics with Sarah Pike and transform everyday objects into handcrafted treasures. Using slab-building techniques and handmade stamping tools, Sarah will guide you in creating a unique ceramic mug from start to finish. Learn to shape, stamp, glaze, and fire your piece, adding a personal artistic touch to your daily rituals.

13 lessons (3h 11m)

Tools and Materials

Let's first take a look at the materials and tools you will need to make your slab-built pLet's first take a look at the materials and tools you will need to make your slab-built project.

Making Texture Tools Out of Non-clay Objects

In this lesson, I will show you how to make textures with handmade cutouts. Think about what inspires you and what you love. How can you use these techniques to create cutouts based on your interests?

Learning about Repeated Patterns with Clay Stamps

Now, we will explore repeating shapes. We will look at the versatility of five basic shapes, and you will learn how to create your own unique patterns using these shapes.

Next, I want to show you how to carve clay stamps. The advantage of clay stamps is the detail you can achieve and the ability to smooth an area and start again!

Making Clay Stamps

Rolling and Cutting the Slab for the Mug

In this lesson, you will learn how to roll the perfect clay slab with simple tools and how to cut and prepare the slab for the best results.

Playing with the Stamps for Different Patterns

Here, you will see how just a few stamps of various shapes can create an endless variety of patterns. Through trial and error and creative play, we will explore patterns in preparation for the final mug.

Texturing the Slab for the Mug

After exploring some patterns, I will start working on my mug. I will show you how I texture and cut my slab prior to building the form.

Joining the Slab and Adding Volume

In this lesson, you will learn how to form and join your slab to make a cylinder. You will then learn how to flare and stretch the cylinder to add volume and alter the profile of the form.

Once the cylinder is formed, we will add the bottom. For my mug, I will make a flared bottom, but you can use the same technique to make a flat bottom. Just place the circular base slab on a non-stick flat surface and then attach it in the same way.

Adding the Bottom

Refinements and Making a Handle

The mug isn't quite finished! Let's make sure it's circular and refined. In this lesson, you will learn different ways to make handles and how to attach your favourite to your pot.

To show you how to wax and glaze your mug and prepare it for the final firing, I will use my already bisque-fired mug. But first, let me tell you a bit about the firing process.

Glazing and Firing

Creating Other Mug Forms 1

In this lesson, you will learn some supplemental techniques to help you design your own mug form. I will demonstrate three different mug shapes.

Creating Other Mug Forms 2

Considering the various forms and techniques I show you, think about different styles and variations and imagine how you could create your own designs.

Module 5

Hessa Al Ajmani invites you to explore the art of creating bespoke ceramic tableware adorned with real flowers. Inspired by the landscapes of the UAE, she will guide you through the process of incorporating botanical elements into your pieces. Get ready to shape, design, and bring nature into your everyday rituals!

14 lessons (1h 57m)

Tools and Materials

In this lesson, I will go over all the tools and materials you will need for this course and explain what they will be used for.

Technique Foundations and Making a Product Food Safe

Now, you will be introduced to the basic hand-building techniques. With these foundational techniques, you will be able to create various forms and objects with clay, including the floral mugs that will become the main focus later on in this course. Before diving into the production process of your ceramic mug, let’s take a moment to go over some important food safety and functional design elements that can help to improve the durability and functionality of the piece.

Let's take a look at the simple process to create your own plaster molds using just two ingredients and other objects you can easily find at home.

Plaster Mold-Making

Finding Your Flowers and Plants

It's now time to talk about what types of leaves and wildflowers are best for imprinting on clay, and how to collect them from the wild in a way that is sustainable and respectful to nature. I will then discuss how to clean the cuttings and prepare the arrangement or design that you would like to see on your ceramic mug.

Cutting the Slab

In this lesson, I will model how to roll out the clay into a flat sheet called the "slab", from which I will cut the wall, base, and handle of the mug using templates.

Imprinting Flowers

Now, I will imprint the flowers and leaves that I prepared earlier onto the clay to create the botanical design.

Creating the Form

Next, let's form the wall of the mug by wrapping the clay slab around the plaster cylinder mold.

Attaching the Components, Finishing Touches, and Firing

I will demonstrate how to assemble the components you prepared, using the score-and-slip technique, to create the mug. Then, I will briefly cover the essential step of bisque firing and how you can work with your own local pottery studios to do this.

In this lesson, I will show you how to prepare your bisque for glazing by first sanding it down and cleaning it, then testing the glazes.

Preparing the Bisqueware

Underglazing

Now, you will see how to mix underglazes to create different shades of color to make the flowers look more realistic.

It's time to clean the excess underglaze to reveal the lines of the imprints. Let's see how it turns out!

Cleaning the Excess

Clear Glazing and Glaze Firing

In this lesson, I will clear glaze the piece to seal it and make it food safe. I will discuss different approaches to this. Then, I will briefly go over the process of glaze firing. This step will produce a finished ceramic piece.

10m

Accessorizing and Applications

In this lesson, I will show you some alternative applications whereby the same process and technique can be used to create different functional ceramic ware. I will also talk about some additional decorative elements you can add to your piece to personalize it with your own style.

Care Tips and Packaging

Now, I will discuss how to care for your piece in the long run with some extra packaging and storage tips.

Module 6

Step into a world of imagination with Nastia Calaca as she guides you through the art of ceramic character design. Inspired by childhood memories and everyday life, you'll learn how to transform a simple sketch into a vibrant ceramic creature. Discover the magic of slip trailing and bring your unique creation to life, one detail at a time.

15 lessons (3h 9m)

Materials

In this lesson, I will show my favorite tools and briefly explain how to work with each of them. I will also suggest alternatives and talk about where you can find them.

Inspiration and Sketching 1

This is the most exciting part and, honestly, my favorite: developing the character design. This stage involves hours of guiltless surfing online for various references on Pinterest, sketching on paper and clay, then creating a small miniature for a better understanding of proportion.

17m

Inspiration and Sketching 2

In this lesson, I will continue to model how to create your small miniatures.

Working with Clay

Never has a task been so exciting! Next, we are going to focus on those precious details. Before starting to work on your project, you will need to warm up a little by experimenting with different shaped eyes, fingers, claws, legs, and paws. Let me show you how to do this!

17m

Decorative Techniques

Now that you're becoming more familiar with the skills of this craft, it's time to move on to the next phase: finalizing all the required preparations. Next, I will guide you in developing a color palette and trying new decorative techniques to breathe more life into your magical creature.

Let's work and shape the sculpture with slabs. I will explain how to transform simple basic shapes into a lively and lovely creature.

The Body 1

Here, I will continue to work on the body. I will smoothen, stretch, and shape my cylinder until it looks more like a toad.

The Body 2

With the body complete, it's time to move on to the eyes. Are you ready?

The Eyes

Incorporating Elements and Details into the Body 1

At this stage, you should have finished the toad's basic shape, making it already recognizable. Next, I will show you how to add all the details that will bring your piece to life.

Incorporating Elements and Details into the Body 2

In this lesson, I will finish putting the details into place according to their marked indications, making sure that they are well-blended.

Texture and Finishing

In this lesson, I will show you how to decorate the sculpture with slips, adding a beautiful texture. In the previous unit, you can find a useful resource about how to make this material. Take a look if you haven't already. This step will also enhance the tactility, add depth and character to the surface, and breathe more life into the creature.

Adding Color and Glazing 1

Finally, let's paint! I will demonstrate how to glaze your toad, using a color palette and test tiles.

Adding Color and Glazing 2

In this lesson, I will continue to apply the underglaze, progressing to the smaller details and shading.

Selling and sending my ceramics worldwide, from Japan to Canada, has shown me the importance of packing my work well. Even if the distance is short, protecting your ceramics is a must. In this lesson, I will teach you the skill of packing. This will come in handy should you want to move house and need to protect your art while on the road.

Packaging

Other Applications

Before throwing away your test color palette or miniature 3D sketch, let's explore other alternatives. In this lesson, I will show you how to make a plate or coaster out of the palette and a planter pot totem from the small sculpture. As I said before, once the clay is fired it becomes ceramics, so it will live for hundreds of years. Why not make another masterpiece out of a simple tile?

Module 7

Join Clara Graziolino in exploring the ancient art of Kintsugi, a Japanese technique that finds beauty in imperfection. Through gold-infused restoration, you’ll not only repair broken ceramics but also embrace patience and mindfulness. Discover the philosophy behind this practice and learn two exquisite techniques—gold relief and gold flush—to give new life to cherished pieces.

13 lessons (1h 45m)

What Is Kintsugi?

In this lesson, I am going to briefly tell you about the history and philosophy of kintsugi.

Knowing the Materials

Here, I am going to show you all the materials that you will need to complete your kintsugi project and I’ll also explain to you where to buy them.

How to Choose the Bowls for Your Kintsugi Project

Now, I am going to explain what kind of bowls you will need for your project.

How to Break the Bowls

Now that you have all the materials to get started, we just need to break the bowls that you have chosen for your project. In this lesson, I will explain to you how to break the bowls before getting to work.

The Kintsugi Diary

In this lesson, I am going to teach you how to keep a kintsugi diary by taking notes and photos. In doing so, you will be able to remember the steps when you practice on your own.

Joining the Broken Pieces

During this lesson, I am going to show you how to prepare the glue to join the broken pieces.

I am going to show you how to give your piece the finishing touches to make it shine. To finish your first kintsugi project, you are going to give it the final touch to make the gold lines shinier.

Final Touches

Joining the Broken Pieces with Glue Flush

In this lesson, I am going to show you how to join the broken pieces without leaving excess glue.

I'm going to show you how to rebuild the missing part of your bowl. What we are going to do is to fill in all the small gaps, lines, and fissures using Paris plaster.

Rebuilding the Gaps

Sanding the Rebuilt Parts

It's time to go a bit further. Therefore, I'm going to teach you how to sand and seal all the rebuilt parts of your bowl.

The Gold Paint

In this lesson, I am going to teach you how to finally paint with gold the rebuilt parts of your bowl and the fracture lines.