ILLUSTRATED CERAMICS
A PORCELAIN AND STONEWARE SURFACE DESIGN WORKSHOP
£160 (Members £150)
Sunday 22nd November 2026
(10:30am - 5:30pm)
Join ceramic artist Helen Beard for a full day of creativity exploring surface decoration on porcelain and stoneware. Through a mix of talks, demonstrations, and hands-on making, you’ll learn how to bring narrative and design to your ceramic work.
Morning Session:
We’ll begin with a short talk introducing illustrated ceramics, surface decoration techniques, and storytelling through clay.
Helen will demonstrate her unique relief printing method using underglaze-stained papers on wet and bisque clay. You’ll then experiment in your sketchbooks with relief printing, underglaze papers and blue carbon copy paper, before preparing your own relief print paper using underglaze stains and glycerin on newsprint.
We’ll explore underglaze colour charts and colour mixing, then sketch designs onto bisque pieces and prepare stencils and colour strips ready for the afternoon.
We’ll then pause for a one-hour lunch break before continuing with the afternoon session.
Afternoon Session:
Helen will demonstrate hand-painting, colour washes, stenciling and dipping, using her special stain-impregnated papers alongside textiles and natural materials to create layered surface patterns.
You’ll then experiment with the techniques before creating your finished porcelain tile and stoneware bowl.
To finish, Helen will demonstrate waxing, dip glazing and final clean-up, leaving your pieces ready for their glaze firing and giving you plenty of new techniques and inspiration to take into your own ceramic practice
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Helen Beard is a potter and illustrator who brings her love of drawing, watercolour, and storytelling into her ceramics. Inspired by everyday life and local scenes - from swimmers at the Ponds to market traders at Columbia Road - her work captures small, whimsical moments through characterful designs and hand-drawn details.
The Workshop is open to all levels, with all materials included, including one porcelain tile and one stoneware bowl, plus firing for up to two pieces per person.
Limited spaces available - early booking recommended!
"This is my third round of a 10 week course, and it's the highlight of my week! I come to unwind as my job is so high-pressured. Joining the space has completely changed the way my weeks feel - I just love it!"
Sarah, Chief Exec
Cancellation Policy
We require 7 days’ written notice before the course start date to offer a transfer to another course or a full refund. If you choose to transfer, we’re unable to move your place again or offer a refund if you’re unable to attend the new course. Cancellations made within 7 days of the course start date are non-refundable and non-transferable. However, you’re welcome to gift your place to a friend!
Missed Classes
If you need to miss a class from your course, please email us at least 24 hours in advance. You can then take advantage of one special 3-hour untutored drop-in make-up session to catch up. Make-up sessions can only be used once the course has finished and must be taken within four weeks of the course end date. Please email us again to book your make-up session, as an induction may be required.