This is a rare and exciting opportunity to work with one of the few lustre ware makers in the UK, from the original Aldermaston Pottery . This two-day workshop (three weeks apart) is suitable for beginners with a little experience and those with more advanced knowledge.

Materials are not included in the booking fee. Additional material costs may apply for this workshop. Please review the class details carefully before booking.

On day one (6th July)
We will be making Persian-style cross and star tiles, which will be rolled out and then covered in a white slip. Time will be spent learning about brushwork with a paste lustre, inspired by historic designs.
In this first session, we will roll out the tiles and learn about the lustre technique, even practicing some painting on glazed tiles. This can be done with clay slip, which is a great way to learn brush strokes and design since the clay slip can be easily washed off and retried.

Then the tiles are taken away and dried and then biscuit fired and then glazed fired with a clear glaze ready for the next lesson

On day two (30th July)
The second session will focus on painting the tiles with a lustre paste. By this stage, the tiles will have been glazed with a white tin glaze. This session will include some lecture time but will primarily involve developing a design, practicing it, and ultimately painting the finished tiles using clay and copper paste, which will have been prepared in advance.

Once completed, the tiles will be taken away and lustre-fired. Students will have the option to either visit Hewins Wood to rub off the ochre and reveal the lustre themselves or have the tiles sent to you with instructions. However, you will need to decide in advance if you want the tiles shipped, as this will incur an additional cost. There will be no charge for the session at the pottery where students can rub off the tiles themselves.

All materials will be provided by the tutor. The approximate cost of these will be £20 payable to the tutor during the workshop. Please bring cash as the tutor may not have card reading facilities.