Tanya GomezThrowing Large
12th - 16th July 2027 | 5 Day Workshop | £1,000
Within this large-scale throwing workshop, Tanya Gomez will guide students in combining thrown sections with coils and slabs to realise more complex forms. Students will also explore glazing techniques for larger pieces, including glaze preparation, consistency and application methods.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWThe Course in Detail
Tanya will give demonstrations throughout the course, allowing students to observe and apply each stage of the making process. Students will begin by throwing several sections using 2- 3 kg of clay to construct a tall vessel or sculptural form. This will include learning how to prepare the clay and the rhythm and speed of slapping the clay into the centre. These forms will be joined together using a combination of thrown elements, with opportunities to incorporate coils and slabs to create more complex and individual designs.
As students’ confidence develops, they will progress to throwing larger sections using 3–4 kg of clay. Students will revisit the technique of slapping the clay onto the wheel before developing their skills further by learning how to hammer the clay evenly. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the correct amount of tension and pressure required to compact the clay effectively for throwing larger forms.
The glazing sessions will focus on techniques suitable for larger ceramic work. Students will learn how to:
Understand and adjust glaze consistency
Check glaze thickness to achieve consistent, reliable results
Consider various glazing applications
The final few days of the course will be self-directed. Students will work from their drawings and interests in form, and will be supported through individual guidance on construction techniques, surface textures and problem-solving.
This stage of the course encourages students to apply the skills they have learned while developing a deeper understanding of the processes involved in creating large-scale ceramic work.
By the end of the course students will have completed several large ceramic pieces and gained the practical skills and confidence to continue developing their own large-scale throwing practice.
This is an intensive making and refining course and there will be no specific kiln firing during the week, however, we will encourage students to keep, and finish, a few carefully selected pieces. These 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).
Each student will have their own wheel and will receive plenty of individual attention. Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Please see our Student Contract for details.
USEFUL INFOCourse Breakdown
Day 1: AM - Tanya will start by giving demonstrations on how to slap the clay into the centre and throw two pieces. Students will be throwing 1.5kg – 3kg of clay.
PM - Students will throw two separate vessels to add additional clay to the following day. Students will roll slabs with textures, and will join the two pieces thrown in the morning.
Day 2: AM - Tanya will demonstrate throwing with additional coils and slabs and will show students how to throw and join pieces themselves. Demonstrations and guidance will be given to students to wedge 3 – 4kg clay.
PM - Tanya will give a demonstration on throwing a 3- 4kg of clay to create wider pieces. Students will also be shown how to pound the clay. Students will then look at form and throw two further pieces.
Day 3: AM - With Tanya’s guidance students will spend time adding two large pieces together. This will be followed by a presentation on large thrown works by Tanya.
PM - Students will draw and sketch ideas of forms to make, using the techniques they have learnt, in preparation for an individual project to follow over the next few days.
Students will wedge clay and throw two or three pieces.
Day 4: AM - Students will start the day assembling their thrown pieces and Tanya will give a demonstration on slip decoration and surface texture.
PM - Students will continue throwing and concluding their forms. Tanya will give a demonstration on how to glaze large works and provide a brief introduction on how to glaze large pieces. This will include a demonstration of how to pour glaze into the inside of a piece and how to check the consistency.
Students will discuss the best ways to glaze a piece, looking at different techniques depending on the form and type of glaze.
Day 5: During the final day students will complete any works and finish off surfaces. The class will gather all the pieces together for a group discussion and to learn from each other’s experiences.
This is an intensive making and refining course and 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. Please also note, we do not offer a glazing service.
Key information
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DATE
Monday 12th - Friday 16th July 2027
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DURATION
5 day workshop
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CLASS SIZE
Maximum 10 students
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LEVEL
Some throwing experience would be helpful
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CLAY TYPE
Stoneware
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COST
£1,000 (Flexible payment plans)
GUEST POTTER BIOAbout Tanya
Tanya Gomez is a celebrated ceramist renowned for her porcelain vessels in her signature lustrous colours.
With an MA in Ceramics from the Royal College of Art, Tanya’s process is practice-led. Developed from traditional methods and disciplines Tanya has honed her skills over the last 20 years and uses dynamic throwing, cutting and assembling techniques to create large cylindrical shapes. Impactful both individually and as a group, her vessels create expressive, vivid landscapes and fluid, architectural forms.
From years working on sailing yachts, travelling the world and coastal living, Tanya has absorbed the abstract qualities of colour and shape, particularly at sea and uses this to inspire her art forms and evocative glazes.
As a master in her craft, Tanya’s contemporary and original work is recognised by the Arts Council and Craft Council of England. She has gained much acclaim exhibiting internationally and continues to evolve her style, experimenting and pushing her practice and the boundaries of her craft.
WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR
Level
Intermediate
This workshop is aimed at those who have some existing skills in throwing. If students have thrown more than 700g on the wheel they will be able to further the techniques that will be shown.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECTThe Schedule
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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.
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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.
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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.
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On the fourth day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
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On the final day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 4pm.
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A two course lunch is provided everyday. Please inform us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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If we haven’t quite answered your question please click here to view our guest potter FAQs page or email us info@theceramicstudio.life