handbuilding & glazing with porcelain

Delve into the beauty and challenges of porcelain — a material celebrated for its purity, strength, and translucence. This course offers a hands-on exploration of porcelain’s unique character, guiding participants through the process of shaping delicate forms, refining surfaces, and applying glazes that enhance its natural elegance. You’ll learn how to work with precision and patience, developing techniques that bring out porcelain’s luminous quality while managing its demanding nature. Through structured demonstrations and personal experimentation, this class invites both technical mastery and artistic sensitivity.

All tools are provided. Some prior handbuilding or wheel experience is recommended.

key learning objectives:
Understand the properties and behavior of porcelain in comparison to other clays.
Learn forming and shaping techniques for thin, refined, and translucent pieces.
Develop methods for surface refinement, including smoothing, trimming, and polishing.
Explore glaze and slip applications designed to complement porcelain’s whiteness and translucency.
Gain strategies for drying and firing porcelain to minimize warping and cracking.
Cultivate an appreciation for the aesthetic and expressive potential of this refined material.

what to expect:
An immersive and focused course centered on both the technical discipline and artistic possibilities of porcelain. Each session combines demonstrations, guided practice, and open studio exploration. Participants will work on small sculptural or functional forms, emphasizing control, balance, and finishing. Expect a calm, detail-oriented studio environment that encourages patience and precision. By the end of the course, you’ll have developed a deeper understanding of porcelain’s material beauty — and the skills to work confidently with one of ceramics’ most elegant and challenging mediums.