Improve your throwing masterclass
Brian Dickenson7th - 18th September 2026 | 2 week course | Mon - Fri | £2,000
This course is an intensive two-week throwing course aimed at potters who want to improve their existing skills, focusing on repetition and practice.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Course in Detail
This two-week intensive throwing course is aimed at intermediate makers who are looking to improve their existing skills and develop their technical abilities in the pottery studio.
We would like to welcome those who can already prepare clay properly, centre on the wheel and throw an even and stable 6 inch cylinder, and have some ability in handle making.
These stipulations have been included to ensure that participants can get the most from the programme and are able to follow the schedule without holding back others in the group who are ready for a more intensive and challenging making experience.
The course has been devised by Brian Dickenson based around his extensive knowledge as both a potter and widely travelled teacher to various different ceramics schools, in both the UK and Europe.
Together we have crafted a course that will aim to answer some of the more nuanced difficulties that emerging makers experience as their throwing aspirations grow, in conjunction with breaking through some of the perennial problems experienced during the pursuit of successful glazing.
Under Brian’s guidance participants can explore decorative resist techniques, glaze layering, dipping and pouring, using our tried and tested house glazes.
Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Please see our Student Contract
USEFUL INFO
Course Breakdown
During Week 1 Brian will focus on cylinders. Perfecting a cylinder gives a potter the foundation to make all vertical structures. Brian will ensure that every student understands the core elementary skills to perfecting a cylinder so that each student is able to advance competently.
Once students have solidified the fundamental basics of cylinders, the technical skills of mug making will be explored. Students will practice different ways of throwing, using varying tempos, designs, gestures and tools. As well as studying the thrown form, students will also explore different possibilities for handle making - pulling, rolling, extruding, pressing, wire cutting etc. Students will learn the principles of suitability, balance and fluidity through the basic mug form and from this, other handled vessels will be obtained.
During week 2 students will progress onto bowls, bellies, jugs and spouts. Brian will discuss with students the breadth of form that exists, historical context and formal considerations regarding proportion, handles and other additions.
Students will learn how to introduce swelling shapes and how to achieve strong well-structured bellied shapes. Handles and lugs will continue forwards from the skills students learned whilst making mugs. Students will use jugs to practice several different solutions to the successful pouring of liquids and, as with the mugs, students will continue to explore the different aesthetic considerations and methods of stylistic execution.
Throughout the course Brian will introduce the issue of glazing alongside the making, as he believes that one discipline informs the other. Students will be guided through the basics of mixing, setting up and applying glazes. Students will cover dipping, pouring, spraying and brushing.
As this is primarily a making course, lessons in glazing will be kept simple but well executed. Perfecting glazing and firing systems can take considerable time to hone and develop, so with that in mind Brian believes that establishing a sound practical approach will be the key.
This intensive making and refining course will follow the programme outlined above, but as the group proceeds together, the distinct needs and interests of each participant may vary and Brian will adapt to students’ interests. Throughout the course there will be numerous demonstrations and every student will receive one-to-one attention as well as group teaching.
Students are permitted to take their greenware away with them to fire elsewhere or, if students want The Ceramic Studio to fire a small selection of pieces, we ask that they speak to a member of staff to discuss this. We will ask that students are selective with their choices.
Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Please see our Student Contract
Key information
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DATE
7th - 18th September 2026
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DURATION
Two-weeks - Monday - Friday
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CLASS SIZE
Maximum 10 students
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LEVEL
Some throwing experience is necessary
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CLAY TYPE
Stoneware
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COST
£2,000 (Flexible payment plans)
Brian Dickenson is an extremely skilled potter with over 30 years’ experience in making ceramic wares, with a speciality in thrown functional wares. Brian studied at Cardiff Institute of Higher Education where he completed his MA in Ceramics and his Research Diploma with study focused on Composition and Firing of Oriental Glazes.
Brian has a wealth of experience teaching pottery at various levels; from complete beginners to MA level students, as well as tutoring advanced practitioners wishing to overcome particular problems. Over the last ten years Brian has become increasingly involved in teaching ceramics on private courses, providing professional consultancy (glaze and firing trouble shooting, kiln building etc), and is a regular lecturer at Clay College Stoke UK, as well as working with La Meridiana Ceramic School in Tuscany.
Brian spent a year working with mentor, Philip Wood, producing standard ware at his Pottery in Somerset. This was interspersed with work placements at The Steven Pearce Pottery in Southern Ireland, concentrating on raw production and repetition throwing. Brian also spent considerable time working under Seth and Ara Cardew at the celebrated Wenford Bridge Pottery - Cornwall UK.
About Brian
GUEST POTTER BIO
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
The Schedule
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Welcome breakfast (from 9am - 10am). The session will start at 10am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
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Classes will run from 9:30am - 5:00pm every day of the course. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm each day, except for Fridays when the studio will close at 4pm.
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We would like to invite all students to take part in an optional activity during the course (for example wine tasting at a local vineyard or afternoon tea). This will be bookable nearer the time and we hope will give you a flavour of life in Kent. Details of the activity will be sent out to students before the course starts.
During the final week of the course we will be taking students for a celebration meal at a local restaurant or gastro pub which exemplifies the very best of local and seasonal produce. This complimentary meal will take place in the evening on the last Thursday of the course. This will be a lovely opportunity to celebrate the group’s achievements over the duration of the course and to say goodbye to fellow students before the final day in the studio. Further details of the meal will be sent out to students before the course starts.
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A two course lunch is provided everyday. Please inform us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
A delicious home cooked two-course lunch will be provided every day
As well as refreshments throughout the day. A complimentary evening meal at a local gastro pub will also be included on last Thursday of the course.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Ceramic Studio is located on a beautiful orchard in Brenchley, and there are lots of lovely surrounding towns and villages offering numerous places to stay.
We are happy to arrange transits to and from local accommodation to the studio for the duration of your course. There may be a small fee for this depending on where you are staying. If you know you will require transits please contact us to enquire before booking your accommodation. Please email the office team at info@theceramicstudio.co.uk.
To see examples of local accommodation, click here.
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· There is a small charge for fired work. Charges are as follows:
£5 per 500g for glazed work
£6 per 500g for glazed work with oxide
£10 per 500g for any glazed work over 30cm in height or width
£2 per 500g for work that is bisque fired but not glazed
· Please also note that The Ceramic Studio does not offer a glazing service.
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This course is designed to be an intensive making and refining course for students to practice and improve through repetition. During this two-week Guest Potter Workshop students will therefore be creating a large volume of work and we do not offer a firing service for all these pieces.
Students are permitted to take their greenware away with them to fire elsewhere or, if students want The Ceramic Studio to fire a selection of pieces, we ask that they speak to a member of staff to discuss this. We will ask that students are selective with their choices.
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Yes! During this Guest Potter Workshop, you’ll be treated to a Welcome Breakfast on the first day, plus morning and afternoon refreshments daily, including teas, coffees, sweet treats, and fresh fruit. A freshly cooked two-course lunch, prepared here in the studio, is also provided every day, with dietary requirements confirmed in advance.
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If we haven’t quite answered your question please click here to view our guest potter FAQs page or email us info@theceramicstudio.co.uk