Description
Masterclass: The Art of the Tea Bowl
Michel Pierre Francois
For Michel, the tea bowl sits at the meeting point of pottery, tea and Zen. It is both a functional object and a vessel of expression, shaped as much by gesture and presence as by technique.
This masterclass brings together two approaches to making: the discipline of conventional throwing and a freer, more intuitive way of working. Participants will explore how a tea bowl can hold a sense of generosity, forms that feel larger within than their outer dimensions suggest, open and receptive in character.
Drawing on traditions from China, Korea and Japan, the course will focus on three distinct tea bowl forms: the Chinese Jian bowl, the Korean Ido bowl, and the Japanese Raku matcha bowl. Through making, participants will develop an understanding of their differences in proportion, weight and spirit, while finding their own response to these traditions.
Guided by Michel’s long-standing engagement with tea culture and ceramics, this is an exploration through process rather than replication, approaching the tea bowl as both a physical and experiential form.
Timings
Thursday 30 – Friday 31 July 2026
10am – 5pm
1 hour lunch break at 1pm
Skill Level
Suitable for intermediate potters. Beginners are welcome, though some familiarity with the wheel will be beneficial.
What Participants Will Learn
The course begins with preparing clay through spiral wedging, establishing rhythm and consistency in the material. Participants will develop confidence in centring using the left hand and build fluency through increased speed on the wheel.
Starting with conventional throwing methods, the course will then move towards a more dynamic and intuitive approach. Participants will explore asymmetry, movement and expansion—allowing the clay to grow into more generous, open forms suited to the practice of tea.
Attention will be given to proportion, interior space and the relationship between inside and outside. The aim is to create bowls that feel expansive and balanced, with a quiet sense of presence.
Participants will also learn techniques for turning using a range of tools inspired by Chinese, Korean and Japanese pottery, refining the foot and overall form with sensitivity and control.
Expected Outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will feel confident working both within and beyond conventional throwing techniques, developing a freer and more responsive approach to making.
Each participant will produce a number of tea bowls and select three pieces, one of each style, to be bisque fired.
Glazing and final firing (gas or electric) can be booked separately through one of our glaze sessions.
Daily Schedule
Day 1
Introduction to the course and the cultural context of the tea bowl. Examples of Jian, Ido and Raku bowls will be shared and handled to develop a tactile understanding of form.
Participants will begin with foundational techniques, moving from conventional throwing towards a more expressive and dynamic approach. One-to-one guidance will be provided throughout.
Day 2
Focus on turning and refining forms using tools inspired by Chinese, Korean and Japanese traditions. Participants will continue to develop a freer approach while maintaining control and sensitivity.
A demonstration of throwing tea bowls off the hump will be given towards the end of the day. The course concludes with a shared review of work, reflecting on process and outcomes.
Key Information
2026
Maximum: 10 participants
Suitable for: Intermediate
Price: £300 per person
All materials are provided.
Michel Pierre Francois
Michel Pierre Francois makes functional vessels using time-honoured techniques, guided by a pursuit of clarity and purity of form. His work sits between function and sculpture, where proportion, balance and surface are carefully considered.
Central to his practice is a deep engagement with material. He formulates his own glazes using feldspar, Cornish stone and ash from local trees such as chestnut, ash and beech. Fired in reduction, these elements draw out minerals from the clay body, creating subtle variations in tone and surface so that each piece is unique.
With over 25 years of experience, Michel has worked closely with tea masters in the UK, China, Taiwan and Korea. He has collaborated with Tea Parker in Taiwan and with Postcard Teas in London, and his work is held by tea shops both in the UK and internationally. A former artist in residence at the Leach Pottery, he continues to draw inspiration from the rituals and material culture surrounding tea.
Michel’s teaching is person-centred and shaped by storytelling. He creates a calm, supportive environment where participants are encouraged to learn through exploration and curiosity. Gentle exercises are introduced throughout the course to aid concentration and develop a sense of flow—bringing mind and body into alignment through making.
Michel graduated from Falmouth University in 2002 and later established his studio in Falmouth, Cornwall. His work has been exhibited widely in the UK and internationally, including in Paris, London, Edinburgh and Taipei. In 2019 he was invited to work towards a major exhibition at the Korean Craft Museum in Cheongju, alongside master craftsman Professor Seo Young Gi. His work has been shown at the London Design Fair, Collect, and is held in permanent display at Studio Pottery London.
Cancellation Policy
Due to limited places, booking is essential. Cancellations made less than 15 days before the course are non-refundable.
