Underglazing ceramics with James Ort – various dates

This fun course includes:

• Informal, relaxed & attentive guidance for every student, provided by James Ort
• Step-by-step demonstrations covering…
  • how to work with underglazes
  • How to apply the ‘shiny glaze’ liberally and keep your sculpture classy & not ‘car boot sale!’
  • How to bring life to your creations eyes
  • An outline of the firing process in our kiln room

What is not included:

• You will need to bring your own bisque fired artwork (we fire to 960 degrees Celsius, but yours could be higher of lower than this)
• We can bisque fire your work for you beforehand if you give us enough notice.
• NB There are additional charges for the firing and use of underglazes. Calculated by the weight of the pieces you bring (at a rate of £2/lb per firing). To be paid on arrival on the glazing day.

Suitable for?

Anyone wanting to push their clay creations further when glazing, specifically with underglazes.

You needn’t have created clay animals – the techniques demonstrated can be applied to human figurative pieces, abstract sculpture and pots/tiles.

We generally limit the age to 14 years old+ though exceptions can be made where appropriate. Please contact James Orts and ask.

What is included in the price?

• One glazing session either starting at 10am or 2pm
• A demonstration of how to apply underglazes to your work (please arrive on time so as to not miss the demonstration)
• Tea, coffee, biscuits/cakes
• Use of a beautiful, purpose built art studio with all the equipment & materials you will need
• Beautiful countryside setting

This course is for you if:

• You want to explore your creativity but lack the confidence to do so on your own
• You want to get away from it all and immerse yourself in a fun, creative environment
• You want to experiment in glazing, specifically with underglazes

Booking on a specific date:

James runs various glazing days throughout the year. You will be asked to sign up for one of these days using a doodle spreadsheet ; it’s very easy to do.

Glazing typically takes between 2-4 hours to glaze but this really depends on the artist!

Please do contact James Orts and he can tell you when glazing days are scheduled for.

Need accommodation?

If you are travelling from further afield and would like to stay in the area for your visit then have a look at our recommend B&Bs and hotels.  Click here for the list.

Beyond The Course

If you have not been on one of James’ ceramic animal classes then we recommend that you have a go – they’re fun!

James Ort

James is the main tutor of this course. He is a wildlife artist. He has always loved animals and his late Grandfather, the Ladybird Children’s book illustrator Brian Price Thomas was a big catalyst for both his love of wildlife and art. His main passion is sculpture, where he is equally drawn to ceramic and wire.

James also has been the manager of the Phoenix Studio for over a decade now, having moved up to Oxfordshire from Brighton where he worked in conservation.