Kate Semple

Between Paper & Clay

16th - 19th November 2026 | 4 Day Workshop | £600

This four-day workshop will explore hand building forms from the two mediums, paper and clay, and discover how they relate to one another, whilst celebrating their differences.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Course in Detail

PAPER: Students will begin by creating a library of papers & cards to use for collaging ideas for forms, drawing & building paper vessels. 

This will inform the week's practice, whether working with paper or clay. Students will gather their findings in a workbook that will be provided.

Selected forms will be developed into paper-mache Sculptures that will be hand-painted & finished by students.

CLAY: Working with Stoneware, students will be mainly slab building. Students will respond to findings from working with paper & card, to create a small group of Sculptural vessels that interact well together.

Students will be shown how to cut, reassemble and rejoin in order to produce unique finished pieces using a variety of colours and marks.

There will be opportunities for students to discuss their work on a one-to-one basis with Kate, as well as part of the wider group.

Each student will have their own dedicated workspace and will receive plenty of individual attention.

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 - Students will select a small palette of paint colours which they will use to decorate found & repurposed papers & card. 

These will be the materials to begin the week's creative process. With Kate's guidance students will use the painted papers to make collages, thinking about form & scale.

In the afternoon students will take these findings to build 3D Paper Vessels using the painted card.

Day 2 - Working with Stoneware, the students will slab roll the clay in preparation for the day's building. 

Whilst the slabs are firming up students will look back at their paper vessels in both 2D & 3D & draw any further ideas to inform the day. Using templates students will cut out the shapes to construct their forms.

The afternoon will be construction time, building the 3D forms, which will then be covered for later finishing.

Day 3 - Students will start day three tending to their slab-built clay pieces, starting the day by working them up. Students will also spend time choosing their favourite paper/ceramic form and constructing this larger scale with card.

Students will then make their own batter & tear up disused paper ready for paper- mache-ing this form.

Day 4 - Finishing! Students will start their final day fine tuning the ceramic pieces, fettling them to a finished state ready for further drying and bisque firing.

The paper- mache forms will be dried & ready for painting & finishing.

There will be no specific kiln firing during the week, however, students’ final clay 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 also note, we do not offer a glazing service.

Book your space

Key information

  • DATE

    Monday 16th - Thursday 19th November

  • DURATION

    4 day workshop

  • CLASS SIZE

    Maximum 10 students

  • LEVEL

    LEVEL

    Suitable for all levels

  • CLAY TYPE

    Stoneware

  • COST

    £600 (Flexible payment plans)

GUEST POTTER BIO

About Kate

Kate Semple is a ceramicist based in York. She creates sculptural pieces using the traditional hand building methods of slab, pinch and coil, and working with paper and clay.

Kate’s mother was an antique dealer specialising in vintage ceramics. From the likes of John Beswick to Clarice Cli, beautifully formed vessels adorned with painterly brushstrokes filled her family home. Each piece had a price sticker underneath and they would come and go. Meanwhile her father was an engineer who in his spare time would tinker in his handbuilt workshop, turning felled wood into beautiful vessels.

With a background in Illustration and Graphic Design, Kate has always had an interest in 3D: paper projects or a pottery night class usually adding to her week. She began hand building vessels at home during the pandemic and in the spring of 2022 took part in the York Open Studios where she sold her work for the first time.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

The Schedule

  • 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.

  • On the second day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.

  • On the third day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.

  • On the final day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.

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

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 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.

  • ·       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! 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.

  • 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