Day 6: Porcelain Bowl Making at Manor Oaks Studios

For the second half day workshop some of the students had the chance to try something completely different; throwing on the wheel. Most people have seen potters throwing on the wheel on television and in film and don't realise how hard it can be. The students jumped into it and achieved some amazing first time results.

Throwing takes a lot of concentration and body control. Like when riding a bike if you lose your balance just slightly it can end up in an accident. But with some valiant efforts (and some surprisingly good throws) the students ended up some admirable pots for the first attempt.

Luckily for the students, they had been accompanied by a seasoned pro at the art of throwing, their teacher demonstrated the making of an almost perfect bowl.

All in all it was a very successful two days, with students having the opportunity to try the craft method of throwing, the industrial method of slipcasting, and the process of decorating with underglaze.

Miles Gavin, Starter Studio for Ceramics 2010-12

Day 5: Porcelain Bowl Making at Manor Oaks Studios

During the first ceramics workshop, the students had the chance to shape, alter and decorate a slipcast porcelain soup bowl to accompany their silver spoons. Because of the time involved in casting several bowls the bowls were precast by Miles, however the students were given the opportunity to cast their own bowls using plaster moulds later in the day.

The group had the opportunity to cut, bend and reform the bowls into a form they found more appealing. The amount of variation was amazing! Some had very simple elegant carvings on the outside, whereas some became spiky constructions that were a far step away from the original form, all of them were totally individual and interesting.

The students also had the option to use colour if they so wanted. We used coloured slips called underglazes. These are specially designed so as to give as close to a true representation of the colours used when fired as possible. When they are fired and glazed, the contrast between the white of the porcelain and the colours will be even more vivid.

The finished bowls ready for bisque firing. Everything that is still grey on the bowls at this point will fire up to a beautiful porcelain white at stoneware temperatures, meaning that alongside looking wonderful the bowls will also be fully microwave, oven and dishwasher safe.

Slipcasting is the main industrial method used by large scale potteries to make home and tableware.

The bowls will now be fired, and ready for the next meeting in September.

Miles Gavin, Starter Studio for Ceramics 2010-12