Justine Allison

Hand Building with Porcelain

4th & 5th July 2026 | 2 Day Workshop | £500

During this workshop students will learn how to build fine porcelain pieces using Justine Allison’s delicate techniques.

Book your space 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Course in Detail

This course will concentrate on techniques for creating thin porcelain slabs and joining them to form vessels. Justine will demonstrate her methods and a variety of techniques that students can use to achieve diverse results.

Students will learn how to add pattern and texture to their creations and Justine will explain the use of underglazes and the simple clear glazing that she uses in her own work.

Students will create vessels from their own templates which will be discussed within the workshop, design processes.

The students will finish the workshop with a greater understanding of hand building with porcelain and will have pieces ready for firing at bisque. Students will be able to discuss their work throughout the course and will receive plenty of individual attention and support throughout.

There will be no specific kiln firing during the workshop however Justine will talk about her firing process.

Justine will encourage students to keep, and finish, a few carefully selected pieces and these will be fired and be 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 Justine.

Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Please see our Student Contract here for details.

USEFUL INFO

Course Breakdown

Day 1 - Justine will give an introduction to the workshop and talk about her work, showing examples. This will be followed by a demonstration on making a vessel using Justine’s techniques for rolling out and building with porcelain slabs.

Students will then be shown how to prepare and roll out thin porcelain slabs for building. Students will start with a simple cylinder form to gauge hand building levels and to get a feel for the material.

Day 2 - Justine will give a demonstration on building a four-sided vessel with porcelain slabs and students will continue working on their rolled slabs and forms from the previous day. Students will make patterns on their slabs, creating a sheet that can be cut and made into a vessel.

Justine will give a demonstration on decorating techniques on a bisque fired piece and will have some pre-prepared pieces ready to be tested on. Justine will give further demonstrations on finishing the clay surface.

Students will continue making with porcelain and finish off pieces with Justine’s advice and one-to-one guidance.

There will be no specific kiln firing during the workshop, however, we will encourage students to keep, and finish, a few carefully selected pieces. These 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 here. Please also note, we do not offer a glazing service.

Book your space

Key information

  • DATE

    Saturday 4th - Sunday 5th July 2026

  • DURATION

    2 day workshop

  • CLASS SIZE

    Maximum 10 students

  • LEVEL

    LEVEL

    Some knowledge of ceramics would be helpful

  • CLAY TYPE

    Porcelain

  • COST

    £500 (flexible payment plans available)

GUEST POTTER BIO

About Justine

Justine has primarily hand-built with porcelain since leaving Camberwell School of Art in 1998. Her work explores the simplicity and beauty of clay as well as incorporating pattern, texture and glaze to create unique variations. Justine grew up in London and re-located to rural Wales in 2003 where she now lives and works.  

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

The Schedule

  • This workshop will start at 10am and will finish at 5pm.

  • On the second day the session will start at 10am and will finish at 5pm.

  • A two course lunch is provided everyday. Please inform us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.

  • Absolutely loved the course! Approachable, skillful, generous teacher. Justine encouraged everyone and directed the teaching without being over prescriptive. We were allowed to develop our own style and had great fun. The best way to learn a new skill.

    Louise, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.

  • ·       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.

  • Yes! 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.

  • 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