Intensive Weekend Big Object HandBuilding Course Booking

Intensive Weekend Big Object HandBuilding Course

2 days, Sat/Sun 10am-15pm
Price: 250€

Big Object: Build a Large Ceramic Form in a Weekend

Make something boldly oversized. In this intensive two-day workshop you’ll hand-build a large ceramic object using slab construction and extruded coils. Working with groggy clay, you’ll learn fast, efficient techniques to scale up your forms, manage moisture, and keep big pieces stable. We’ll focus on clean, professional surfaces and a build strategy you can repeat on your own. All pieces will be single-fired.

Who it’s for
Intermediate makers with some prior experience in clay who want to go bigger with confidence. Ultra-small group (max. 4) for close guidance.

Tutor
Maryia Virshych

Weekend Plan (at a glance)

Saturday

• 10:00–10:30 — Design & Introduction
  Sketch your piece, think in 3D, and plan the build sequence and form.

• 10:30–10:45 — Demo: Big Slab & Drape Mold
  Preparing slabs, draping over a large base mold; tools and setup.

• 10:45–11:30 — Practice: Slab Work
  Roll, prepare, and drape your base slab; manage transport and surface quality.

• 11:30–12:30 — Demo + Practice: Extruder
  How to use and clean the extruder; produce the coils you’ll need.

• 12:30–14:00 — Build Session
  Begin attaching coils to your base, use a heat gun to manage moisture, check stability, and smooth as you go.

• 14:00–14:30 — Clean & Pack
  Wrap your work and leftover coils for overnight.

Sunday

• 10:00–10:15 — Check-In & Plan
  Assess each piece, adjust the plan if needed.

• 10:15–13:15 — Build Session
  Complete the form with extruded coils; ongoing smoothing and form refinement.

• 13:15–14:00 — Surface Finishing
  Professional finishing: kidneys, sponges, and final touch-ups.

• 14:00–14:30 — Wrap-Up
  Pack for controlled drying; next steps explained (drying and single firing) + Q&A; tidy workspace.

What you’ll learn

• Scaling up: structure, stability, and moisture control for large forms

• Efficient slab and coil workflows (including extruder use and cleanup)

• Surface refinement for a clean, professional finish

• Planning: when to adapt your design to real clay behavior

What’s provided on site

Hand wheels, large base molds, slab-rolling setup, extruder, heat guns, modelling tools (metal/rubber kidneys, needles, sticks), sponges, water bowls, plastic for wrapping, cleaning supplies, and the groggy clay used by everyone.

Group size & requirements

• Experience: some prior experience with clay required

• Capacity: maximum 4 students for focused, hands-on support

You’ll leave with

A large, hand-built ceramic object of your own design, ready for drying and single firing, plus a repeatable method for building big with confidence.

Ready to go big?
Reserve your spot—places are very limited to keep the workshop personal and practical.

Course conditions and Cancellation Policy: We will work with groups of a maximum of 9 students. Courses are confirmed independentlly of the number of students registered. If the course is not held, we will refund 100% of the amount paid or you may reschedule to a future edition. We are not responsible for expenses related to flights and accommodation in the case of cancellation of the workshop. Please read the Terms of Use before accepting.