5 Week Hand-Building Course 1pm - 4pm

Perfect for beginners | £350* per person | All materials & equipment included

Course Dates:

Thursday 14th January - Thursday 11th February 2027 | 1pm - 4pm

Our 5 Week Introduction to Hand-Building Course is designed to introduce you to the fundamental techniques of creating pottery by hand, from constructing and shaping clay to surface decoration and glazing.

Throughout the course, you'll explore a variety of hand-building techniques while developing your own ideas and designs. Rather than everyone making identical pieces, you'll be encouraged to personalise your work, with demonstrations, guidance and support from your tutor each week.

You'll receive your own sketchbook at the beginning of the course to develop ideas, plan projects and record techniques. Each week, we'll also introduce you to different ceramic artists, exploring their work, creative processes and the history of ceramics to inspire your own practice.

Sessions are 3 hours long. Each week focuses on a different hand-building technique, giving you the freedom to explore your creativity and develop your own designs. By the end of the course, you'll have created and glazed a small collection of your own handmade pottery, ready to take home!

What’s included?

  • Sketchbook

  • All clay, tools, glazes, and firing costs.

  • Expert tuition in a relaxed, friendly environment.

  • The opportunity to create multiple pieces throughout the course.

  • PDF including all techniques and processes with a week by week breakdown

Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week 1: Introduction to Clay, Hump & Slump Moulds

  • Introduction to clay, its properties and the different stages of drying and firing

  • Exploring the fundamentals of hand-building and understanding how flat, two-dimensional clay can be transformed into three-dimensional forms

  • Learning to use hump and slump moulds to create bowls, plates and other shaped pieces

  • Understanding slab thickness, compression and how to prevent cracking and warping

  • Introduction to your sketchbook, developing ideas and planning your own designs

  • Exploring the work of ceramic artists who use moulds and hand-building techniques

Week 2: Pinch Pots & Coil Building

  • Introduction to pinching and coiling as traditional hand-building techniques

  • Creating forms using pinch-pot methods, developing control over wall thickness, shape and proportion

  • Learning how to build forms using coils

  • Understanding scoring, slipping and joining techniques to create strong, secure connections

  • Exploring how coils can be smoothed into a continuous surface or left exposed as a decorative feature

  • Using your sketchbook and inspiration from ceramic artists to develop personalised pieces

Week 3: Slab Building & Template Design

  • Introduction to slab building and constructing forms using flat sheets of clay

  • Learning how to roll consistent slabs and manage moisture levels for successful construction

  • Designing and creating your own templates to build personalised pieces such as mugs, vases, boxes or other forms

  • Exploring curved and angular construction techniques, including joining, shaping and reinforcing slabs

  • Understanding how to attach handles, bases and other structural elements

  • Looking at ceramic artists who use slab construction and geometric forms within their work

  • Developing your own designs using your sketchbook, with the option to prepare templates ahead of the session

Week 4: Refining, Surface Decoration & Texture

  • Revisiting pieces made during the previous three weeks, refining shapes, edges and joins

  • Understanding the leather-hard stage of clay and why it is ideal for trimming, carving and decoration

  • Exploring surface decoration techniques including sgraffito, carving, stamping and impressing textures

  • Introduction to decorating with underglazes

Week 5: Glazing & Finishing

  • Introduction to ceramic glazes and understanding their purpose in both functional and decorative pottery

  • Learning about the different stages of firing, including bisque and glaze firing

  • Exploring glaze application techniques including dipping, pouring and brushing

  • Understanding glaze thickness, colour combinations and how glazes behave during firing

  • Discussing common glazing mistakes and how to avoid them

  • Looking at how ceramic artists use glazes and surface finishes to complement their forms

  • Glazing your bisque-fired pieces and reflecting on the techniques and skills developed throughout the course

  • Discussing how to continue developing your hand-building skills through further courses or independent studio practice

Ready to book?

Whether you’re looking to try something new, unwind with a creative activity, or craft beautiful handmade ceramics, this course is the perfect way to begin your pottery journey.

If you would like to pay in instalments, we offer payment through Klarna. Please give us an email at info@clayworkshop.co.uk telling us you’d like to pay in instalments, and we’ll send over a secure Stripe link so you can pay via Klarna.

We can’t wait to welcome you to Clay Workshop!

Please note: price includes 1.50% + £0.20 card processing fee.

*Prices include VAT