“Online teaching has been an extremely positive experience. Students get instant feedback and ask questions live and in person, while working in their own comfortable environment.” -Chris Snedden

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"Chris was very friendly and endlessly encouraging"

-online course participant

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Join an online pottery course led by master potter, Chris Snedden, who brings over 40 years of experience. This six-week online course explores a wide variety of surface decoration techniques for ceramics, focusing on both traditional and experimental methods using coloured decorative slips and over-glaze brushwork. Students will develop a comprehensive set of skills for creating unique decorative effects and patterns, with the freedom to adapt techniques to personal projects. By the end of the course, participants will have a well-rounded library of techniques to enhance their work. 

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Tools and Materials Required:

• Studio Setup: Wheel throwing studio with stable internet connection; phone/tablet to capture hands and wheel during class.

• Basic Tools: Preferred clay and throwing tools, newsprint or paper, scissors, pencil, and a small carving tool (e.g., MNR 5 Mini Ribbon Tool).

• Additional Supplies:

  • Slip Supplies: Coloured slips (recipes provided) and knowledge of specific oxides and carbonates.

  • Brushes: Variety of brush sizes; Sumi brushes recommended for slips and over-glaze.

  • Glaze: Fat white glaze that fits your clay body and remains stable during firing.

  • Slip Trailing Bottle and Banding Wheel.

  • Decoration Tools: Red rubber stamps, images, newspaper clippings, and printed pictures.

  • Hakeme Brush: Made from a straw bristle broom with rubber bands for bristle hold.

Week 1: Preparing the Surface 

• Topics: Achieving and altering smooth surfaces on thrown ware, surface preparation for decoration.

• Techniques: Decorating on the wheel, applying slip on both smooth and textured surfaces.

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Week 2: Foundational Slip Techniques

• Topics: Creating fields of colour with slip, exploring Hakeme, Finger Wipes, Paper Resist, and Sgraffito.

• Techniques: Layering and removing slip, resist methods.

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Week 3: Advanced Resist Techniques

• Topics: Mishima (slip Inlay) and additional resist methods using tape, stickers, and latex.

• Techniques: Layering with precise resist designs for contrast and detail.

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Week 4: Wet Ground Slip Decoration

• Topics: Slip trailing, marbling, feathering, and mocha diffusion.

• Techniques: Fluid, spontaneous slip patterns for organic surface decoration.

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Week 5: Slip Transfers and Pattern Development

• Topics: Combining slip transfers, paper resist, brushwork, and trailing for complex patterns.

• Techniques: Creating repeat patterns and layering techniques with slip transfers.

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Week 6: Over-Glaze Brushwork

• Topics: Over-glaze brushwork on opaque white glazes, considerations for glaze selection.

• Techniques: Brush techniques for surface patterning on glazes.

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Learning Outcomes:

• Build a personal library of decorative techniques for ceramic surfaces

• Gain hands-on experience with a range of slip and over-glaze decoration methods

• Develop confidence in creating unique, decorated surfaces on ceramic forms

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Note: Course topics may adapt to participant interests and needs.

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This course is structured as a collaborative experience; participants are encouraged to experiment and discuss techniques in each session.

DETAILS

Sessions: 6 Sessions, Tuesdays 6 - 9 p.m.

Duration: April 15 - May 20, 2025

Class Size: 12 participants

Format: Online with live sessions and personalized feedback

Prerequisites: Intermediate pottery throwing experience and experience communicating over Zoom or other video conferencing platform

Instructor: Chris Snedden​​​

PRICING

FUSION Members 

$300 + HST

​General Public

$395 + HST