Improvisational making: Masterclass with Ian McDonald

In this day immersive workshop, ceramic artist Ian McDonald invites participants into an open-ended exploration of form through improvisational making. The class is designed to help jump-start new ideas by working across a range of techniques to generate sculptural and/or functional objects from both intention and chance.

The course is designed to look at the wide spectrum of ceramic production and the many parts that make up an object. This workshop will explore the language of wheel throwing, hand building, extruding and other experimental forming techniques. Participants will waste nothing. Cast offs, slices, cut aways, trimmings and discrete considered forms will be combined to create new sculptural objects, pottery and or collections of experiments. Ranging from the functional finished form to the conceptual “barely there” form participants will create objects and discuss topics such as the found object, product design and the ephemeral form in an effort to establish a studio alphabet and generative process in pursuit of the language of material.

As part of the process, Ian will introduce the use of terra sigilatta which is a fine, slip-like surface treatment. Participants will have the option to apply several layers to leather-hard pieces at the end of the workshop. All work will be once-fired.

What you will Learn

• Hybrid building techniques: wheel throwing, hand building, extruding

• How to use cast-offs, trims, and offcuts as generative material

• Strategies for composing sculptural and functional ceramic forms

• Conceptual frameworks around objecthood, ephemerality, and design

• How to develop a studio language and process

Course Details: 

10AM–4PM

• Introduction by Ian McDonald

• Demonstrations of various forming techniques

• Hands-on exploration: throwing, building, and experimenting

• Creating and collecting fragments, trims, and forms

• Combining, assembling, and composing with parts made on Day 1

• Continued experimentation and refinement

• Group conversation on object meaning, form, and process

• Final composition of sculptural and/or functional pieces

Skill Level: Suitable for beginners or intermediates. 
Included: All materials, tools, glazes (We have basic pottery tools)
Class Size: Limited to 15 for focused instruction
Price: £140 per person
 

All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email. Refunds or exchanges may be granted at our discretion for cancellation requests made at least 7 days before the scheduled class, course, or workshop. No refunds or rescheduling will be offered for cancellations made within 48 hours of the workshop. There are no exceptions. However, you can transfer your place to another individual. Please send us their name(s) in advance.

If you cannot attend a session of a longer course, we can’t accommodate you with another session. For any inquiries regarding cancellations, please contact us at gallery@countyhallpottery.com.