Ceramic Surface Design

Session: June 3 - July 22 (8 classes)
Day/Time: Thursdays, 2:00 – 4:00pm ET
Level: Beginning – Advanced
Instructor: Deighton Abrams

Course Description: This course will have students exploring new intuitive approaches to using the surface of ceramics as a canvas to tell stories either representational or abstract (or both). Through lectures and demonstrations, we will explore effective ways composing imagery on both sculptural and functional forms. A wide variety of techniques including brush work with underglaze, oxides, and slips as well as exploring sgraffito, Mishima, water carving, paper and tape masking, and wax resist to expand the decoration. Some drawing and ceramics knowledge preferred but all levels are welcome. Beginners will be inspired to think about surface in new ways, while advanced students will explore better composition and development of personal direction for decoration. Hand-building and wheel-throwing construction techniques will also be demonstrated with considerations for students’ limited studio access.

With your registration, you will receive access to a Harvard Google Classroom which will provide a place for sharing of ideas, discussion, hand-outs and will feature recordings of each class. In case you miss a class or would like to review, these recordings will be available for 30 days after the end of the course.

Suggested Materials List:

• Basic Pottery Tool Kit
• Clay – Porcelain/white clay preferred or have white slip to coat darker clays
• Tools to carve clay
• Selection of commercial underglazes – Speedball, Amaco or Mayco
• Set of good brushes including fine tipped liner brush for detail work
• Pottery wax (Forbes, Aftosa or local supplier)
• Masking tape
• Paper

Additional tools you may consider:

• Serrated metal rib or scoring tool or fork (if you don’t have a serrated metal rib)
• X-acto knife (that will be used for clay only)
• Cup for water
• Board for your working area (Hardi-board, masonite-board, dry-wall or even stiff cardboard).
• Latex Resist
• Polyacrylic

Clay and Material Purchases

This course fee covers instruction only. Participants are responsible for obtaining their own clay. Here is the list of available clays, tools and materials at the Ceramics Program. Once you have registered for this course and have purchased an item, you will be able to sign-up for a pick-up slot at the Ceramics Program - please note that you are picking up class materials when you do! You can also purchase the supplies at your local art supply store or online. If you would have questions, please email Ji-Eun Kim directly at jikim@fas.harvard.edu.

Glazing and Firing Services

• Registered students are welcome to drop off, fire and glaze your ceramic work through the Harvard Ceramics program. We charge 3 cents per cubic inch for all firings (bisque and glaze). We offer electric kiln (Cone 06 for bisque, 6 for glaze), high fire reduction and soda vapor firings (Cone 10). Specialty firing temperatures can be arranged. At the end of each session, you will be invoiced for the cost of your firings.
• You may also consider ordering from a local supplier (Sheffield Pottery, Amherst Pottery Supply or Portland Pottery) but you will need to provide documentation of the clay body and firing range to fire it at the Ceramics Program.

Course Fees: Free for Harvard College Undergraduate Students; $400 for Harvard Graduate Students, Harvard employees and Adult Community.

Register

Registration will begin on Monday, May 10h at 11:00 AM EST

For questions regarding course content, policies or materials, please contact Director, Kathy King.
For questions regarding registration, please contact Administrative Coordinator, Ji-Eun Kim.

Location: Zoom