Patterns, Prints & Pots

Emily Stubbs

27th - 28th June 2026 | 2 Day Workshop | £400

During this workshop students will create patterned and textured surfaces on clay slabs and use these to build unique and interesting vessels.

The Course in Detail

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

During this workshop students will broaden their knowledge of underglaze application, building up layers of glazes and textures to create interesting clay surfaces with depth and movement.

Students will learn to build and collage with these clay slabs, turning them into abstract vessels and sculptures using a variety of hand building techniques.

There will be no specific kiln firing during this workshop, however, students’ pieces will be fired and ready for collection a few weeks later (there will be a small additional firing charge).

Each student will have their own dedicated workspace and will receive plenty of individual attention. There will be opportunities for students to discuss their work with their fellow students and on a one-to-one basis with Emily.

Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces.

Please see our Student Contract for details.

USEFUL INFO

Course Breakdown

Day 1 - Emily will show students how to observe their surroundings, focusing attention to detail by picking out shapes and patterns in the world around them. Students will record their findings using printing techniques on paper, building up a collection of prints that they will then translate into clay.

Students will learn how to create their own tools to make unique marks, shapes and patterns in the clay. The afternoon will be spent practicing various techniques to translate these marks onto clay slabs, such as monoprinting, screen printing and transfer printing, building these shapes and patterns up into surfaces that are rich in texture, depth and movement. Working on paper and then ceramics, students will gain knowledge of how to translate mark making from one material to the other. 

Day 2 - Emily will take students through various hand building techniques in clay, enabling them to build their own abstract vessel out of the clay slabs created the previous day. One-to-one guidance will be given to enable students to push the boundaries of the clay and create interesting, unique sculptural pieces by 'jigsawing' the clay slabs together. Particular attention will be paid to the composition of the slabs, joining and finishing seams, the impact of edges and angles, and the movement of mark making across the surface to lead the viewer around the vessel. 

There will be no specific kiln firing during this workshop, however, students’ pieces will be fired and be ready for collection a few weeks later.

Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Details of our firing charges can be found in our Student Contract.

Please read our Student Contract. Please also note, we do not offer a glazing service.

Key information

  • DATE

    Saturday 27th - Sunday 28th June 2026

  • CLASS SIZE

    Maximum 10 students

  • LEVEL

    LEVEL

    All levels welcome

  • CLAY TYPE

    Stoneware

  • COST

    £400 (flexible payment plans available)

  • FOOD & DRINK

    A two-course lunch will be provided each day

GUEST POTTER BIO

About Emily

Emily Stubbs is a contemporary British ceramicist based in York, North Yorkshire. 

Emily graduated with a BA (Hons) Ceramics from UWIC in 2007 before setting up her own studio in York. A founding member of PICA Studios, an artist led studio collective of 23 artists, makers, writers and thinkers set within an 18th century printworks in the centre of historic York, Emily exhibits her contemporary ceramics in exhibitions, events and galleries around the UK.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

The Schedule

A delicious home cooked two-course lunch will be provided each day

As well as refreshments throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions