This intensive programme is designed as a complete immersion into ceramics, combining technique, process and creative expression.
Over the course of several weeks, you will explore the main areas of ceramic practice, developing a solid foundation in both wheel throwing and handbuilding, learning how to reproduce your own pieces through mould making, and enjoying dedicated practice time in a professional ceramic studio.
The programme includes:
🔶 2 Wheel Throwing Workshops (Beginner to Intermediate)
🔶 1 Stoneware Handbuilding Workshop
🔶 1 Plaster Mould Making Workshop for Reproducing Ceramic Pieces
🔶 Access to the studio facilities for practice between workshops
In addition, you will be able to choose your porcelain specialisation according to your interests:
🔶 Specialisation A · Porcelain Wheel Throwing (2 days)
Refine your wheel throwing skills using one of the most demanding and rewarding ceramic materials.
or
🔶 Specialisation B · Porcelain Handbuilding (2 days)
Discover the expressive possibilities of porcelain through handbuilding techniques and the construction of organic forms.
In this way, all participants follow the same learning journey, with only the final specialisation module adapted to their individual interests.
This is not simply a collection of workshops. It is a structured learning pathway where each module prepares you for the next, allowing you to understand ceramics from a broader perspective.
The goal is simple: to leave with a comprehensive understanding of ceramics—not only from a technical point of view, but also as a material and a creative language.
Why should you join this programme?
Many courses teach techniques.
Very few teach how those techniques connect.
You will learn to understand clay through different methods of construction, develop skills in both wheel throwing and handbuilding, discover the characteristics of different ceramic materials, and gain the confidence to make your own creative decisions rather than simply following instructions.
In just a few weeks, you will achieve the kind of progress that usually takes months—or even years—of independent practice.
This programme is about much more than learning techniques. It is about transforming the way you understand and work with clay.
Who is this programme for?
🔶 Anyone looking for a comprehensive ceramic education
🔶 Ceramic artists who want to connect technique and creative expression
🔶 Anyone wishing to learn wheel throwing, handbuilding and glazing
🔶 Students looking for an intensive, immersive experience
🔶 Ceramic artists who want to accelerate their learning
No previous experience is required.
Throughout the programme, you will learn:
✅ Wheel Throwing (Modules I & II)
- Centre clay.
- Throw cylinders, bowls and more complex forms.
- Trim and refine your pieces.
- Create lids, necks and closed forms.
- Work confidently with larger amounts of clay.
✅ Stoneware Handbuilding
- Slab building techniques.
- Coil building techniques.
- Construct functional ceramic pieces.
- Build larger three-dimensional forms.
- Understand different methods of ceramic construction.
✅ Porcelain Specialisation (Choose one… or both!)
Option A · Porcelain Wheel Throwing
- Specific techniques for throwing porcelain.
- How to centre and pull porcelain.
- Control collapse and deformation.
- Techniques for creating thin, lightweight walls.
- Understand the unique behaviour of porcelain on the wheel, as opposed to stoneware.
Option B · Porcelain Handbuilding
- Specific handbuilding techniques for porcelain.
- Create porcelain flowers and organic forms.
- Apply coloured slips.
- Understand the behaviour of porcelain during handbuilding.
✅ Plaster Mould Making for slip casting
- Design a one-part plaster mould.
- Prepare the mould for slip casting.
- Prepare casting slip.
- Produce ceramic reproductions using your own mould.
✅ Studio Practice
Between workshops, you will have access to the studio to put everything you have learned into practice. You will have:
- A fully equipped professional ceramic studio.
- One 12 kg bag of stoneware clay for practice.
- The opportunity to work alongside our international community of resident ceramic artists.
✅ Final Glazing
- Apply glazes to your pieces.
- Complete the ceramic process.
- Prepare your selected pieces for the final firing.
This programme includes
- Materials (stoneware, porcelain, plaster and glazes).
- Tools.
- Firing of selected pieces produced during the workshops.
- Access to the studio facilities during the practice period.
This programme does not include
- Accommodation.
- Meals.
- Firing of pieces produced during independent studio practice.
🔶 Plaster Mould Making for slip casting: Saturday 3rd, 10:00–18:00, and Saturday 31st, 10:00–14:00.
🔶 Wheel Throwing – Module I: Monday 5th to Thursday 8th October, 10:00–14:00.
🔶 Handbuilding Weekend Workshop: Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October, 10:00–15:00.
🔶 Wheel Throwing – Module II: Tuesday 13th to Thursday 15th October, 10:00–14:00.
Porcelain Specialization – Choose one option, or both:
🔶 Porcelain Handbuilding – Porcelain Flowers: Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October, 10:00–14:00.
🔶 Porcelain Wheel Throwing: Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st October, 10:00–15:00.
🔶 Glazing Session: Friday 30th October, 18:30–20:30.
🔶 Access to the Studio Facilities for Practice: Monday 5th to Friday 30th October, 11:00–18:00.
If you would like to have any pieces made during your independent practice sessions fired, we will calculate the corresponding firing cost.
Do you like the programme? Contact us at eltorn@eltornbarcelona.com, and we’ll be happy to tell you how to register.
For better personal tutoring we admit max. 6 students per class. The courses will take place with a minimum of 4 students. If you have signed up and paid and the course doesn’t take place, we’ll refund you the total amount paid. ElTornBarcelona cannot be responsible for procurement or losses incurred on travel arrangements. **Please take this into consideration when booking your flights and accommodation.
