Explore natural forms through ceramics

Overview

Explore natural forms through ceramics with artist Melanie Hopwood through this two-session course: Session 1 (introduction and making) – Friday 9 May, Tower Knowe, Kielder, 10.30am – 4pm; Session 2 (decorating and glazing) Thursday 5 June, 10am – 1pm, at The Hearth in Horsley.

The workshop will focus on exploring natural forms through sculptural ceramics:

“Curving leaves, twisting branches, spiky seed pods – take some inspiration from all things natural to begin or continue your ceramic journey. Develop a rhythm to your clay work by using the ancient hand-building techniques of pinching and coiling, learn how to make structured forms using the ‘slab-building’ technique and explore the myriad of ways that clay can be textured using fingers, tools, found objects and clay ‘stamps’”. (Melanie Hopwood)

Session 1 will explore different ways to develop ideas and extract interesting elements from natural materials. Tutor Melanie will bring examples and resources to show how other artists interpret and explore similar themes. Participants will discuss and explore different surface treatments for their fired pieces and begin to discover the possibilities of underglazes, oxides, glazes and non-fired finishes.

Session 2 will take place at the artist’s studio (The Hearth at Horsley, Northumberland) and will be spent decorating and glazing the pieces produced during session 1.

Over the 2 sessions participants will combine a number of the techniques learned to create one or more sculptural forms, vessels or wall-pieces.

Cost: £40 for the two sessions.

Please bring to the workshop: Prepare for the day by bringing along some ideas for inspiration. For example: collect natural forms, take some photographs, do some simple drawings or make a collage of things in the landscape that you find interesting.

Explore natural forms through ceramics takes place at...

• Tower Knowe Visitor Centre, Kielder (Museums)