This workshop will guide you through the whole process of making
and firing your own ceramics; hand-building, surface decoration and
firing techniques are demonstrated and discussed to enable you to
develop your own ideas and enjoyment of ceramics. Caron O'Rourke is
an experienced tutor and potter, you can expect sound tuition and
good fun in the beautiful Spanish countryside.
Workshop will include: Tuition, materials, firing, personal and group discussions on techniques, coffee/ tea and a daily vegetarian lunch.
Days 1 & 2 - Ceramic Workshops
Welcome to the studio
Developing your ideas, discuss prefered styles
Hand building
Surface decoration techniques
Day 3 - A Morning of Smoke & Raku Firings Followed by an Afternoon of Optional Activities
Explore firing techniques using test tiles and bisque fired work brought from home
Smoke firing with slow & fast firing fuels
Using glazes & oxides to achieve a wide range of finishes
Naked Raku glaze techniques using resist slip and smoke
Please bring 6 - 8 small (teacup size) bisque fired pieces for the smoke and Raku firings. It is suggested you also bring up to 15 'test tiles' (saucer size) which are very useful to make a record of the smoke & Raku effects.manufactured bisc tiles can be purchased from the studio, please request these on the booking form to ensure adequate stock.
Afternoon Options:
Health & Beauty Pampering
Yoga
Cycling
Hill Walking
Personal Gallery
Visit to Murcia or Alicante
Day 4 - Bisc Firing of New Work & Raku Firing&
Drying and bisque firing of work created during day 1 & 2
Refining firing techniques using test tiles and bisque fired work brought from home
Smoke firing with slow & fast firing fuels
Using glazes & oxides to achieve a wide range of finishes
Naked Raku glaze techniques using resist slip and smoke
As soon as your work is cool enough from the bisc kiln we will review the new work, make comparisions with previous firing experiements and then glaze the work in preparation for the final days exploration.
Day 5 - Smoke & Raku Firing
Explore firing techniques using bisque fired work created in Spain
Smoke firing with slow & fast firing fuels
Using glazes & oxides to achieve a wide range of finishes
Naked Raku glaze techniques using resist slip and smoke
Tapas and Wine Celebration with fellow artists and new friends where you can review your artwork created during the workshops and discuss plans for future developments.
Suitable Clays & Firing Temperature
For these firings use any open bodied clay - low bisque between 820 - 920 degrees centigrade. Burnishing is advised but not necessary. If you are travelling by aeroplane it is suggested you bring pieces which will fit inside one another and bring plenty of tiles.
Workshop Times
Daily 10am - 6pm Lunch/Siesta 2 - 4 pm. The pool and sun terraces
are available during lunch.
On the Friday evening we will gather for a Spanish Tapas & Wine Celebration where we can chill out a little more,watch the sun go down and celebrate a great week.
Transporting your Ceramics Home
Pots can be transported home in your normal luggage allowance but there are restrictions on size and weight, please check with your airline before travelling.
Travel Information
Encebras is located in the mountainous border region of Murcia and Valencia in southern Spain; flight are available from most European airports to Alicante and San Javier (Murcia) Airport pickup can be arranged, Alicante 50mins, San Javier 1hr 20mins. Information and specific directions on how to get to the studio by car or plane will be sent on receipt of your booking.
Costs
Cost for this workshop is 400€. Clay is charged at cost (10Euros/10kgs) to allow you to work at your prefered scale and speed. Advance booking and payment is essential as numbers are strictly limited.
Workshop will include: Tuition, glaze materials, tools, individual and group discussions on techniques, coffee/ tea and a daily vegetarian lunch.
To buy unique artwork, arrange your own commission or book onto one of the courses contact Caron directly:
