James OrtCeramic Animals
12th - 14th October 2026 and 9th - 10th November 2026 | 5 Day Workshop | £1,100
During this five-day workshop students will make a standing animal of their choice, as well as a wall-mounted animal head and a wall-mounted animal positioned in a dynamic pose, using James’s unique sculpting techniques.
The Course in Detail
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWThis five-day workshop will allow students to create their own sculpted animals using a contemporary technique that is loose, expressive and breaks all the rules! The technique is fast and easy to learn and brings energy and grace to the creations.
Students will make a wall mounted animal portrait head as well as a four-legged standing animal and a wall-mounted animal in a dynamic pose. James will give a series of demonstrations throughout the course that will show the key stages and principles for creating the animal structures.
Once completed, the sculptures will be dried out and then fired in our kilns. Students will then be asked to return four weeks later for a two-day glazing session to bring colour and life to their pieces.
Please only book this course if you can attend all five dates: 12th, 13th, 14th October and 9th, 10th November 2026.
Each student will receive plenty of individual attention as well as continued advice and guidance from James.
Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces.
Please see our Student Contract for details.
USEFUL INFOCourse Breakdown
Day 1: Create wall-mounted animal heads
Students will make the head of any animal of their choice - be it a mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian. James will guide students in making an armature and then demonstrate how to add clay by breaking down the head into key muscle groups and shapes.
Day 2: Create four-legged standing animals
On day two students will tackle the more challenging part of the course – creating their four-legged animal. Students will learn how to make an armature using a range of materials and techniques, and will build on the skills they learnt on day one.
Day 3: Create wall-mounted dynamic animals
Students will take the skills they have learnt over the first two days and use them to create a full bodied animal with extra life, movement and dynamism. James will guide students to capture their chosen animal in a single second action – be it leaping, jumping, running, pouncing or fighting.
Four Week Break
After the first part of the workshop in October, students’ pieces will be bisque fired ready for the second part of the workshop in November.
Day 4: Underglazing
During the four-week break the students’ pieces will be bisque fired. During day four James will teach students how best to apply underglazes. James will give detailed demonstrations and will talk about underglaze application. James will be on hand at all times to assist students in getting their animals exactly as they want them.
Day 5: Continuation of underglazing
During the final day of the course James will assist students in finalising the decoration of their animals using underglazing techniques.
All final sculptures will be ready for collection at a later date.
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.
Key information
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DATE
Monday 12th - Wednesday 14th October 2026 and Monday 9th - Tuesday 10th November 2026
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DURATION
5 day workshop
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CLASS SIZE
Maximum 10 students
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LEVEL
Suitable for both beginners and experienced artists.
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CLAY TYPE
Stoneware
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COST
£1,100 (flexible payment plans available)
GUEST POTTER BIOAbout James
James is a wildlife artist and his work has been exhibited in local and national exhibitions. Creating in ceramic is his main love but he also makes art using wire, mixed media, painting, and drawing.
He discovered sculpture when he became manager of the Phoenix Studio – an art school in Oxfordshire. Having a lifelong fascination with wildlife and a former career in conservation, James uses his understanding of anatomy and form to push ceramics to its limits. He teaches sculpture and is passionate about using his art to benefit others – be it wildlife or mankind. James was very much inspired and influenced by his nature loving Grandfather, Brian Price Thomas who illustrated a number of the Ladybird Children Books.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECTThe Schedule
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Welcome breakfast (9am - 10am) – an opportunity to meet James Ort and your fellow students. The session will run from 10am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
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The session will run from 9.30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
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The session will run from 9.30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
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The glazing session will run from 9.30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
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The glazing session will run from 9.30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
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A two course lunch is provided everyday. Please inform us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
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 your accommodation to the studio for the duration of your course. Please get in touch to arrange this. 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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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