Jo Davies

Using Porcelain to Build Creative Vessels

9th - 11th July 2027 | 3 Day Workshop | £700

During this three-day workshop, students will learn to create large or asymmetric vessels by throwing small porcelain components and using them as building-blocks. By using this technique students will be able to make vessels or sculptures that are larger than the maximum quantity of clay they’re able to throw in one go. By understanding this building technique students will free themselves creatively and be able to build larger, more intricate or asymmetric pieces.  

Book your space 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Course in Detail

During this course students will create their own unique vessels from wheel-thrown porcelain components that will be constructed and tuned into larger single vessels. 

Students do not need to have used porcelain before coming on this course because Jo will walk all students through how to use it step by step.

By using porcelain in this way, students will gain confidence in their ability on the wheel and open up a new way of working with porcelain, or any other clay, as the skills students learn here will be transferable to other clays.

By building vessels from smaller components students will gain a new avenue of creativity, allowing them to make pieces that are larger than the maximum they’re able to throw in one go.

By using the formula that Jo has devised for this process she will guide students through each stage by using demonstrations and one to one guidance when needed. 

During this course students are welcome to follow the design of the piece that Jo has devised to create their own vessel, or they may want to design and create their own. Students often produce more than one item and enjoy experimenting with ideas that are inspired by the course.

All pieces will be fired following the course and 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. Please see our Student Contract for details.

USEFUL INFO

Course Breakdown

Day 1: - The first day will begin with an introduction to the course by Jo, with a discussion about throwing, porcelain and design ideas, with a chance to ask Jo questions ahead of her first throwing demonstration.

Students will then begin throwing their first components which will be put together as larger vessels. Towards the end of the day students may be able to start to attach components together that have been thrown earlier in the day, depending on drying times. Jo will demonstrate how items are 'constructed' and all components will be created using manageable quantities of clay. Jo will give individual guidance and support throughout the building process.

Day 2 - Jo will further demonstrate how to throw closed-forms, tubes and how to modify shapes ready for construction. Working in this way will give students an exciting foundation in this approach allowing them to build vessels or sculptures using wheel-thrown components. During Day 2 students will throw more components and continue to construct their vessels with help and guidance from Jo throughout.

Before the end of the day students will discuss ways to finish their vessels, with most components attached together, thereby allowing the pieces time to dry overnight before being trimmed and finished by hand the following day.

Day 3: On the final day Jo will demonstrate approaches to trimming for this way of working, as well as showing how to finish pieces by hand. Students will spend time finishing their pieces for firing once dry.

Jo will lead a final sit-down discussion at the end of the day to review the work and answer any further questions as a group.

This will be an intensive making and refining workshop and there will be no specific kiln firing during the week.

Students pieces will be bisque fired following the course. 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 space

Key information

  • DATE

    Friday 9th - Sunday 11th July

  • DURATION

    3 day workshop

  • CLASS SIZE

    Maximum 10 students

  • LEVEL

    LEVEL

    Suitable for those with some experience in throwing

  • CLAY TYPE

    Porcelain

  • COST

    £700 (Flexible payment plans)

GUEST POTTER BIO

About Jo

Jo Davies is a Royal College of Art MA graduate and her practice includes hand-making fine porcelain design ranges, lighting and unique objects. Her individual approach to wheel-thrown ceramics, where high-fired porcelain often appears paradoxically to be fresh off the wheel, balances softness with rigidity, smoothness with weight and tactility. Jo exhibits internationally and has worked with, amongst others, the National Portrait Gallery, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the Hepworth Wakefield, Somerset House, Heals and the National Trust.

WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR

Level

Intermediate - Advanced 

This course is aimed at those with experience in throwing. It is not essential to have used porcelain before but would be an advantage.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

The Schedule

  • Welcome Breakfast (from 9am - 10am). The session will start at 10am and will finish at 5pm.

  • On the second day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm.

  • On the third day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm.

  • 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