Rebecca applebySurface, Colour & Mark Making: An Experimental Approach to Ceramics
3rd - 5th November 2027 | 3 Day Workshop | £600
Sculptor Rebecca Appleby explores the expressive possibilities of ceramic surfaces in this experimental three-day workshop. Beginning with the creation of clay forms and physical mark-making, students will develop surfaces through carving, texture, layered colour and unconventional techniques. Working with slips, oxides, underglazes and clay in different states, this course encourages experimentation, individual expression and the development of a distinctive visual language.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWThe Course in Detail
Contemporary sculptor Rebecca Appleby will lead this immersive three-day exploration of ceramic surface, colour and mark-making.
Drawing upon her own sculptural practice, Rebecca will introduce an experimental and intuitive approach to surface decoration, encouraging students to move beyond conventional ceramic finishing techniques and explore the expressive potential of clay.
Beginning with the preparation and construction of clay forms, participants will investigate how physical intervention, carving and mark-making can become integral to the structure and identity of a piece. As the workshop progresses, these surfaces will be developed through layers of colour using slips, oxides, underglazes and printed colour techniques.
Students will also explore the Japanese kirinuki carving technique and experiment with building rich, heavily textured surfaces through the application of clay in different states.
Taking inspiration from geological formations, erosion, weathered materials and natural processes, the workshop encourages observation, experimentation and a more instinctive relationship with materials.
Rebecca will demonstrate processes developed within her own professional practice, offering individual guidance to help participants translate these techniques into their own work.
The emphasis is on exploration rather than prescribed outcomes, allowing each student to develop a personal vocabulary of marks, colours and textures.
Students will leave with a collection of experimental samples and ceramic forms, alongside new techniques and ideas to incorporate into their future practice.
Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Please see our Student Contract for details.
Day 1 – Form, Texture & Physical Mark-Making
An introduction to Rebecca’s sculptural practice and experimental approach to ceramic surfaces.
The day will begin with preparing clay and constructing a selection of simple forms that will become the foundation for surface exploration throughout the workshop.
Taking inspiration from geological formations, erosion and weathered materials, students will investigate the relationship between form and surface, introducing texture and physical mark-making directly into the clay.
Rebecca will demonstrate carving, scraping, cutting and the Japanese kirinuki technique, exploring how material can be removed, manipulated and worked to create depth, movement and expressive surfaces.
Through practical experimentation, participants will begin developing their own vocabulary of physical marks and textures, preparing their forms for further development with colour.
Day 2 – Colour, Layering & Printed Surfaces
Building upon the forms and textures created on Day 1, the second day will explore the expressive possibilities of colour and its relationship to the physical ceramic surface.
Rebecca will demonstrate a range of techniques using slips, oxides and underglazes, including layered colour applications, printed colour sheets, transfers and painterly mark-making.
Students will explore how colour can enhance, reveal or contrast with the textures and marks already established in the clay.
The emphasis will be on experimentation, building layers and developing a more personal and intuitive approach to colour and surface composition.
USEFUL INFOCourse Breakdown
Day 3 – Experimental Texture, Material & Consolidation
The final day introduces Rebecca’s distinctive methods of building heavily textured, volcanic and geological surfaces.
Participants will experiment with applying clay in different states, including liquid slurry, wet clay and dry material, exploring how these can be combined to create expressive, tactile surfaces.
Time will be devoted to revisiting techniques introduced throughout the workshop, combining processes and developing individual work with Rebecca’s guidance.
The course will conclude with a group discussion and reflection on how the techniques might be developed within each participant’s continuing practice.
There will be no specific kiln firing during the workshop, however, students’ pieces will be fired following the course and will be ready for collection a few weeks later. Alternatively, students are welcome to take away their greenware (students must bring protective packaging when taking or collecting their pieces).
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
Wednesday 3rd - Friday 5th November
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DURATION
3 day workshop
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CLASS SIZE
Maximum 10 students
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LEVEL
Suitable for those with some experience using clay
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CLAY TYPE
Stoneware
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COST
£600 (Flexible payment plans)
GUEST POTTER BIOAbout Rebecca
Rebecca Appleby is a British contemporary sculptor based at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. A graduate of Edinburgh College of Art, she has developed a distinctive sculptural practice exploring the relationship between natural processes, material transformation and human intervention.
Working primarily with clay, Rebecca creates highly expressive forms characterised by complex surfaces, layered colour and physical mark-making. Her work draws inspiration from geology, architecture, erosion and the passage of time, exploring the tension between order and chaos.
Her sculptures have been exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the British Ceramic Biennial, Collect Art Fair, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and exhibitions in Japan and Taiwan.
Rebecca was awarded the Emmanuel Cooper Prize at Ceramic Art London in 2022 and was selected as an AWARD artist for the British Ceramic Biennial in 2023.
Alongside her professional practice, Rebecca co-founded Clay Yorkshire with sculptor James Oughtibridge, delivering specialist ceramic sculpture workshops from their studios at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. She also teaches internationally, sharing her experimental approach to materials, surface and sculptural expression.
WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR
Level
Confident Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
This course is suitable for intermediate and advanced ceramic makers, sculptors and artists interested in developing their approach to surface decoration.
The workshop is also suitable for enthusiastic beginners who have some basic experience of working with clay.
Participants are encouraged to bring an open mind and a willingness to experiment.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECTThe Schedule
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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.
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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.
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On the third day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 4pm.
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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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We do not offer a glazing service so cannot glaze your work for you. It may, however, be possible for you to return to the studio to glaze your work by booking a glazing session. Please speak to a member of staff to discuss this before booking. You are welcome to take greenware away with should you wish to. Alternatively you can take your bisque fired work away with you to glaze elsewhere.
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We will usually bisque fire a small selection of pieces following a workshop. Each Guest Potter Workshop is different, however, so please refer to your individual Guest Potter Workshop page for the firing information for your course.
The following firing charges will apply:
£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
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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