Jeanne Bonnefoy-Mercuriali

Mishima Decor

18th - 21st October 2027 | 4 Day Workshop | £850

“Mishima” is an original, graphic and refined decor technique. By sketch researching then with the creation of a coiled piece, students will discover the pleasure of this engraved decoration, playing with lines and colours.

Book your place 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Course in Detail

The main objective of the “Mishima” decor course is to understand and acquire this traditional oriental technique through exercises in sampling and manufacturing slips, in order to acquire complete autonomy in the different phases of creation and production of the decor.

Students will create initial samples which will allow them to train, test and, above all, give free rein to students’ imagination in order to open up as many research paths as possible for the creation of a more accomplished piece.

Engrave the clay, fill these furrows at the right time and finally scratch the surface: these different stages require a detailed knowledge of the consistencies of the clay that you will acquire during this workshop.

Jeanne will prompt students to question the relationship between form and decoration. How to understand and implement graphics on a volume piece?

Preparatory drawing work will allow students to develop and deepen their graphic and formal research. After this work of reflection, students will move on to the creation of the final piece using the coil technique.

This slow shaping work will be a good exercise to try to follow students’ initial sketches as much as possible and to understand the dynamics of the shape. Then, moving from the flat surface of the pieces, to the curve of a volume, will be the last step in acquiring the “Mishima” technique.

Jeanne will teach students to adapt their gestures to the shape, following the path of the line: the pleasure of engraving will be followed by the appearance of the decoration. 

All of these exercises will also allow students to think about the organisation of their work in different stages between shaping and decoration, in order to best follow their desires and the constraints of the clay.

Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Please see our Student Contract for details.

USEFUL INFO

Course Breakdown

Day 1: Drawing and Experimentation

The first day will begin with Jeanne giving a group presentation on Mishima and how to approach the notion of ceramic decoration.

Students will create tiles ready for the testing of decoration techniques and Jeanne will demonstrate the production of filling slips.

Jeanne will talk to students about graphic research work - the path of the line on a tile, and formal research work - what form for what setting?

Students will create preparatory drawings and then start engraving the tiles.

Day 2: Shaping

Day two will see the start of the coil shaping. Jeanne will give demonstrations and provide support to each student in the creation of their piece.

Jeanne will also guide students in creating the decorations and students will finish the tiles to reveal the decoration – mastering the different stages of drying the Mishima.

Day 3: Shaping continued

Students will continue to create their pieces using the coil shaping technique. Possibility of carrying out other Mishima tests according to each student's project.

Day 4: Decoration

The final day will involve students finishing their coil shaping and decorating their form: drawing, engraving and filling. Students will use accelerated drying techniques for smoothing the decor and finally all students will review their work.

There will be no specific kiln firing during the workshop, however, students’ pieces will be fired and be ready for collection a few weeks later. Alternatively, students are welcome to take away their greenware (students must bring protective packaging when taking or collecting their pieces).

Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Details of our firing charges can be found in our Student Contract.

Book your place

Key information

  • DATE

    Monday 18th - Thursday 21st October 2027

  • DURATION

    4 day workshop

  • CLASS SIZE

    Maximum 10 students

  • LEVEL

    LEVEL

    Suitable for those with some experience with clay

  • CLAY TYPE

    Stoneware

  • COST

    £850 (Flexible payment plans)

GUEST POTTER BIO

About Jeanne

Jeanne Bonnefoy-Mercuriali graduated as a Ceramicist from The Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Appliqués et des Métiers d'Art – Olivier de Serres (Paris), and is now based in La Chapelle-Forainvilliers, Eure et Loir, France. After obtaining a moulder's diploma, Jeanne Bonnefoy-Mercuriali went to Yemen to learn the coil technique from the potters of Sanaa, which she practiced during her stays in Palestine and Oman. It was in this latter country that she began practicing "Mishima" decoration, drawing inspiration from oriental basketry and developing a rich graphic universe. Her creations, playing with the fine line between traditional craftsmanship and sculptural expression, are an incarnation of the places that welcomed her.

WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR

Level

Confident Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

This workshop is suitable for those with some experience with clay but not necessarily in coiling or decoration.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

The Schedule

  • Welcome Breakfast (from 9am - 10am). The session will start at 10am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.

  • On the second day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.

  • On the third day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.

  • On the final day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 4pm.

  • A two course lunch is provided everyday. Please inform us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Ceramic Studio is located on a beautiful orchard in Brenchley, and there are lots of lovely surrounding towns and villages offering numerous places to stay.

    We are happy to arrange transits to and from your accommodation to the studio for the duration of your course. Please get in touch to arrange this. Please email the office team at info@theceramicstudio.life. To see examples of local accommodation, click here.

  • We do not offer a glazing service so cannot glaze your work for you. It may, however, be possible for you to return to the studio to glaze your work by booking a glazing session. Please speak to a member of staff to discuss this before booking. You are welcome to take greenware away with should you wish to. Alternatively you can take your bisque fired work away with you to glaze elsewhere.

  • We will usually bisque fire a small selection of pieces following a workshop. Each Guest Potter Workshop is different, however, so please refer to your individual Guest Potter Workshop page for the firing information for your course.

    The following firing charges will apply:

    £5 per 500g for glazed work

    £6 per 500g for glazed work with oxide

    £10 per 500g for any glazed work over 30cm in height or width

    £2 per 500g for work that is bisque fired but not glazed

  • Yes! During this Guest Potter Workshop, you’ll be treated to a Welcome Breakfast on the first day, plus morning and afternoon refreshments daily, including teas, coffees, sweet treats, and fresh fruit. A freshly cooked two-course lunch, prepared here in the studio, is also provided every day, with dietary requirements confirmed in advance.

  • If we haven’t quite answered your question please click here to view our guest potter FAQs page or email us info@theceramicstudio.life