Matthew Blakely

An Exploration of Glazing

6th - 10th July 2026 | 5 Day Workshop | £900

This practical course will focus on ceramic glazing techniques and will explore the science behind glazes.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Course in Detail

Students will learn how to test found materials for use in ceramic glazes. Materials will be available, but it would be fantastic if students could also bring some of their own found materials for use in ceramic glazes (details of the types of materials students can bring will be given in the run-up to the course). Each student will receive plenty of individual attention and Matthew will be available throughout the five days to give demonstrations, advice and guidance.

USEFUL INFO

Course Breakdown

The first day of the course will involve performing a series of glaze tests on your found materials; clay, ash and rocks. These will include melt tests, substitution tests and line-blends. All tests will be fired on the first evening. 

The second day of course will then focus on understanding the ideas behind the previous day’s testing. Participants will learn about glaze technology in the morning. In the afternoon Matthew will give an introduction to geology, specifically focused for potters. The reasoning behind the tests will be explained. The day will be broken up into sessions, with plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.

On day three of the course the kiln will be opened and the tests studied and analysed. Based on the initial results more complex testing with then be carried out, including biaxial blends, and these will be fired in the kiln.

The theory behind these tests will be explained on day four, along with practical information on how to collect and prepare your own materials. This will include a field trip to a location in Kent or East Sussex. Details of this will be confirmed at a later date.

On the final day glaze faults and remedies will be discussed. Participants are asked to bring in any pieces of their own that exhibit some sort of fault to see if we can work out the cause. The kiln will be unpacked and the results discussed.

In the afternoon future directions, inspired by the test results, will be planned and participants will be able to perform further tests that they can take and fire in their own kilns.

Each student will receive plenty of individual attention and Matthew will be available throughout the five days to give demonstrations, advice and guidance.

Please read our Student Contract.

Book your space

Key information

  • DATE

    Monday 6th - Friday 10th July 2026

  • CLASS SIZE

    Maximum 10 students

  • LEVEL

    LEVEL

    Suitable for all abilities

  • COST

    £900 (flexible payment plans available)

  • FOOD & DRINK

    A two-course lunch will be provided every day

About Matthew

GUEST POTTER BIO

Matthew is a distinguished and internationally known potter. His wheel-thrown porcelain and stoneware is a rich interaction of clay and glaze. Blakely spent many years in Australia where he studied at the National Art School in Sydney (winning the State Medal in 1993), before returning to the UK in 2002, where he is now based in Cambridgeshire. Here he develops new combinations of clay and glaze, enjoying the dynamic depth of surface achieved in these fresh integrations. From his ethereal celadon to the geological depth of his slips, Blakely is a restless re-inventor of the ceramic surface.

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 fourth 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 4pm.

  • 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 Thursday.

  • Matt Blakely’s brilliant teaching made all the chemistry and geology aspects of glaze making so accessible. But the really exciting bit is when you realise that glaze making can so easily start with materials in our natural environments. It’s totally changed the way I approach ceramics and I’m excited to develop everything I learned much further.

    Amanda, 2023

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.

  • Yes - students are required to do a little work before the course.

    Students will be learning how to test found materials for use in ceramic glazes. Some materials will be available, but it would be great if students could bring some of their own as well. Below are some suggestions from Matthew:
     

    1. Small pieces of rock or clay for melt testing (1cm3)

    2. (At least 200g) plant ash (wood or grass) that, preferably, has been passed through a 60 mesh sieve. It can be washed or unwashed. You can bring a number of ash samples.

    3. (At least 200g) local clays that students have dug. If the clay has stones and grit in it, please make it into a slip, pass it through a 60 or 80 mesh sieve, and dry it. Students can bring a number of clay samples.

    4. Students are welcome to bring rock dust for testing, but this should be pre-prepared by the student to be able to pass through a 60-mesh sieve (or finer).

    Please note that the ash and clay should be DRY powder for testing.

  • 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