4 Week Coil Building Workshop

The Details

Master the art of coil building in this immersive, four-week intensive workshop (includes unlimited Open Studio Time) designed for students ready to create substantial, exhibition-quality ceramic forms. At Platypus Ceramics Studio, you will move beyond basic techniques to tackle the challenges of scale and complexity. You will receive focused instruction on managing clay properties across multiple sessions, allowing you to build without the structural limitations often encountered in shorter courses. This deep dive ensures you gain the skills necessary to finish your piece with a refined, professional look. What You Will Master: Structural Integrity: Learn secure scoring, slipping, and joining techniques, including paddle and anvil methods, to prevent slumping and ensure the stability of tall or wide pieces. Form Control: Focused guidance on strategically managing coil placement and angle to achieve sophisticated forms—from classic ovoids to dramatic bottle shapes. Working to Scale: Develop the essential rhythm of building, waiting, and working to control the moisture content, which is critical for successfully completing large vessels. Finishing Excellence: Dedicated time for surface refinement, including smooth-wall consolidation for a seamless aesthetic, or methods for dramatically enhancing the natural texture of the coils. Day 1 The Foundation & Base: Master secure coil rolling and joining. Build the base and the first structural layers of your vessel (lower third). Day 2 Defining the Form: Build the main body. Focus on manipulating coil size and angle to control the vessel's curve and volume. Day 3 Height & Refinement Prep: Complete the height, finish the rim, and begin consolidating the walls using scraping and shaping tools. Day 4 Surface & Detailing Finalizing: the surface finish (smooth or textured). Focus on refining the foot/base and a thorough review of the critical slow-drying process. Details: Duration: Four Sundays 1-4pm, plus unlimited open studio to perfect your piece. Includes: High-quality stoneware clay, all tools provided, underglazes/slips for decoration, Studio Dipping Glaze, and two firings (bisque and glaze) for your substantial finished work. Brush on glaze combinations available for and additional fee. Join us at Platypus Ceramics Studio to transform simple coils into stunning, large-scale ceramic sculptures!