Expired Ceramic Surface Decoration

7 Week Class with Ayla Mullen

Thursdays, January 5–February 16, 2023
4:00pm–6:30pm

Join Ayla Mullen for a fun adventure in ceramic surface design techniques! This class is ideal for people who have worked with clay before, either on the wheel or handbuilding, and want to focus on developing their decorative skills and personal aesthetic.

We will review basic slab-building techniques, then move on to explore surface design techniques on both slab-built and thrown forms. Students may choose to focus on either wheel thrown or hand built forms, or both, depending on their skill and interest. After the basic introductions, assistance in form-building will be available one-on-one, but class demos will focus on decorative techniques. Students will learn how to work with slips, underglazes, basic resist materials such as wax, stickers, and newsprint, and glazes. We will explore the following techniques, and others as time allows: Sgraffito, Inlay/Mishima, Newsprint Slip Transfers, Newsprint Resist, and building layered surfaces by combining multiple techniques.

We will bring in inspiration from outside sources, and students will be encouraged to develop a “visual briefcase” of inspiration for their decorative work. Students are encouraged to try one or all of the techniques introduced in class, and most of all to follow their own inspiration; Ayla will spend some time in the first couple of classes working with students individually to set goals and identify personal projects. Classes will begin with a 30 minute demonstration, and the remainder of class time will be for students to work and receive one-on-one support.