Ceramics
Start Date: 26th March 2025
- Length 4 Weeks
- Study Short Course
- Location West Lancashire College
More about the course
This course introduces participants to the art of ceramics, providing essential skills and techniques for creating unique, hand-crafted pieces. Designed for beginners and hobbyists, the course covers the basics of ceramic materials, hand-building methods, glazing and kiln firing. Participants will have the chance to explore their creativity and develop their style through hands-on projects, with guidance from experienced instructors. The course is ideal for anyone interested in learning about the creative and technical aspects of ceramics.
When will this course start?
The course will begin on Wednesday 26th March 2025 from 5pm until 7pm.
Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements.
What will I achieve?
If you successfully complete this course, you will receive a college certificate
What will I learn?
Introduction to Ceramics
- Overview of the course and its objectives
- Introduction to ceramics: history and applications
- Exploring different types of clay and tools
- Self-assessment of creativity and art goals
Basic Hand-Building Techniques
- Learning basic hand-building methods: pinch, coil and slab techniques
- Creating forms and structures with hand-building
- Exploring texture, shape and surface design
- Hands-on practice: creating simple bowls and pots
Introduction to Pottery Wheel
- Basics of wheel-throwing: centring, pulling and shaping
- Practicing with the pottery wheel to create basic forms
- Troubleshooting common challenges in wheel-throwing
- Hands-on project: creating cups, bowls or small vessels
Surface Decoration and Texturing
- Techniques for decorating and texturing surfaces
- Using stamps, carving and incising for unique designs
- Experimenting with underglazes and coloured slips
- Hands-on project: creating textured or patterned pieces
The Kiln Firing Process
- Understanding the kiln firing process: bisque and glaze firing
- Types of kilns and firing temperatures
- Preparing pieces for firing and understanding results
- Safety and best practices for handling and loading the kiln
Creating Functional and Decorative Pieces
- Combining hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques
- Designing both functional and decorative ceramics
- Exploring form and function: mugs, bowls and vases
- Hands-on project: creating a set of complementary pieces
Exploring Advanced Techniques
- Introduction to advanced techniques: graffito, inlay, and slip trailing
- Techniques for complex shapes and intricate details
- Incorporating multiple techniques into unique projects
- Hands-on project: creating an advanced personalised piece
Personal Project and Portfolio Development
- Planning and creating a personal project
- Documenting and photographing ceramic works
- Reflecting on growth and setting future art goals
- Tips for continuing ceramics as a hobby or career
Course Review and Showcase
- Displaying and presenting completed works
- Receiving constructive feedback from instructors and peers
- Exploring opportunities for further study and practice
- Resources for sourcing materials and studio space for continued learning
How am I assessed?
- Hands-on practice
- Technique demonstrations
Course costs
This course is free.
If you are 19 or over, please call Learner Services on 01695 52300 or email enquiries@westlancs.ac.uk to confirm the fee for this course. Course costs may be subject to change.
If you need information on any financial support that may be available to you with fees or study costs on this course, please contact Student Services who can offer advice and assistance on accessing any financial support that may be available.
*This is subject to availability and eligibility
Adult Funding Changes
Due to changes in Government funding from 1st August 2019, students who resident in some postcodes in Merseyside and Greater Manchester may be unable to access funding from training providers and colleges in Lancashire and may have to pay all associated course and support costs.
Please note, this does not include courses that are paid for by Advanced Learner Loans.
To check if your postcode is part of the new devolved funding legislation, please contact Course Enquiries on 01695 52300 for further advice.
Contact our team
Meet our Art and Design students and tutors
Gary Owens
Art and Design LecturerLike all of the Art staff at West Lancashire College, I am a working artist myself. It is always a pleasure to work with like-minded creative people and to see how their skills and ideas develop over time.
Louise Curran
Art and Design LecturerAs a multi-disciplinary artist and designer with a background career in film and television costume, I offer students a relevant and realistic insight into working in creative industry. As an educator, I have experience of working with learners of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs, across a range of artistic disciplines. Effective art and design teaching offers a space which nurtures and challenges the individual and diverse creativity of every student and equips them with the technical skills and confidence to progress in their chosen specialism. I am passionate about what I do and consider it a privilege to play a role in enabling our students to realise their professional and creative potential.
Nourhan
Art and Design Alumni StudentStudying Art at West Lancashire College helped me to generate ideas and express myself through my artwork. I would thoroughly recommend the course to someone who would like to follow a similar path. I am now studying a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design at UCLan.
Jess
Art and Design Alumni StudentI was originally studying for three A Levels at another college before realising that I’d be happier concentrating on my Art education and moving here. It was a great decision to move as I was able to get to know my classmates which has helped me to develop my own personal skills, as well as my artistic skills. What I liked about the Art department is how there are different rooms and equipment for different kinds of art, it's just a nice little community. The whole college experience feels very mature, you have so much more independence here and the campus itself is great in a really futuristic way.
Hanga
Art and Design Alumni StudentI’ve really liked all the experimenting that you get to do on my Art course, taking part in workshops in such a wide range of different techniques and styles. You are able to be a lot more independent here than at high school, but you still get help if you ask for it from the tutors and from the other students as well, it's like a community. I’m progressing on to do a degree in Illustration at Sheffield Hallam University in September. I chose Illustration as it can be very flexible, I might move into illustrating books, or making concept art, in the future.
Evie
Art and Design Alumni StudentI've really enjoyed my Art course as it's such a wide range of stuff we get to do, before coming here I thought that the course would be quite closed off and you’d only be able to certain things but it’s not been like that at all. It’s also very different compared to being at high school, what I didn't really like about school was how everyone had to be a certain way, here at college I felt like I could be anyone I want to be.
Caitlin
Art and Design Alumni StudentMy time as an Art student was a great experience. When I joined, I didn’t have that many skills but now I'm in my second year I can see that I’ve developed the skills I wanted to, and I've met a lot of great people. As a whole it's a lovely college with a very nice atmosphere, you always have help if you need it and the facilities are really good. When I first came to college I thought I was going to concentrate on photography but I went to a workshop about advertising which really piqued my interest and now I know what I want to do in the future. I'm now studying Marketing at Edge Hill University.
Hannah
Art and Design Alumni StudentI've really enjoyed my Art course so far, it's such a wide range of stuff we get to do, before coming here I thought that the course would be quite closed off and you’d only be able to certain things but it’s not been like that at all. It’s also very different compared to being at high school, what I didn't really like about school was how everyone had to be a certain way, here at college I feel I can be anyone I want to be.
What can I do with a qualification in Art and Design?
Careers for this subject will be updated soon.
Art and Design at West Lancashire College
Upcoming events
Open Event
West Lancashire College
Thursday 1st May 2025
4:30pm - 7:00pm
Parent/Carer Information Evening
West Lancashire College
Tuesday 24th June 2025
4:30pm - 7:00pm
News
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