Hand-built Ceramics: Surface, Slip, Glaze and Colour

Do you have some hand-building skills but are missing out on essential knowledge about clay, kilns and glazes? Fills in the gaps at this 5-day hand-building course, with a specific focus on the outcomes for the pieces. Alexandra Standen not only teaches hand-building techniques, but also how to effectively work with colour, surface texture, underglaze, slip and glaze. Using a mixture of ceramic test tiles made in class and pre-fired tiles, you’ll learn the differences between slips, underglaze, stains and glazes. She uses a mixture of commercial glazes and stains to understand the different surfaces that are achievable when applied and layered. With this knowledge you will be able to hand-build works in class, understanding and knowing the possible outcomes. Alex reviews your fired glaze tests and helps each student find an appropriate surface or glaze they feel will ultimately complement their work if they wish to glaze in the future. She also demonstrates how to pack a kiln for both bisque firing and glaze firing your ceramic pieces. You’ll be notified when the fired works are ready for picking up. Glazing courses are offered in the Term One Short Courses Public Programs.

*Short courses and weekend workshops are open to students of ages 16 years and over. For students under 16 years of age there are School Holiday Workshops, Art Club and other youth art programs.

Alexandra’s art practice is based within the ceramics tradition and engages with fine art practices and mediums.

She graduated with an Honours degree from NAS in 2011 and completed her Master of Fine Arts, Research at University of NSW Art and Design in 2018. Alexandra has exhibited extensively in Australia and was an artist-in-residence at the Cite Internationale des Artes, Paris, France, and other international residencies in Israel, Istanbul and Switzerland.

She has worked in the indigenous art centers Titjikala, Northern Territory and Tjala Arts, APY Lands, and teaches ceramics in the tertiary education sector, in degree and short course programs.

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below.

Towel, covered shoes, protective clothes (old shirt or apron)

Clay and other materials are provided.