CERAMICS
WORKSHOPS

Animal Sculpture Workshop with Jack Durling
2 Day Workshop

Date: Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th June 2025
Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm each day including breaks (lunch is not provided)
Teacher:  Jack Durling (guest potter)
Fee: £200.00, includes work made in the workshop using a sculptural white or black clay

This course is suitable for those who already have some experience working with clay.

In this course you will be taught techniques and processes to create a portrait or free standing animal. Using hand building methods that uses coiling, slab building and modelling processes to ultimately create a hollow formed sculpture that captures the very essence of your chosen animal.

On the first day you will prepare slabs and work on loose drawing exercises and maquettes to inform your ideas referring to your original source material. Working towards creating a sculpture that will be around 30cm x 30cm in its dimensions. Armatures will be used in this workshop as well as textural techniques. On day two we will create a slab and coiled portrait piece, of a smaller scale, that will effectively be able to be hung on the wall.

We recommend you prepare and bring your own reference material to the workshop. Sketches, printed out photographs are very helpful of different angles, perspectives, characteristics, features, limbs... think mammals, big cats, bears, owls, family cat or pet dog. You do not have to make a final decision until the workshop but having this research achieves more resolved and informed outcomes.

Jack Durling is a Brighton based ceramic sculptor who is inspired by the phenomena of the natural world creating bespoke ceramic sculptures that are celebratory of animal species. Focusing on natural behaviours and character, his work is notable for decorative embellishment. He is a David Shepherd Wildlife Artist 2022, has had his work feature on the Pottery Throwdown, is a visiting tutor at West Dean College and has a permanent public sculpture in his hometown of Maidstone, Kent.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:

All of the tools, equipment, clays and firings (included is 5kg of clay, additional weigh and pay will apply for pieces above this weight or additional pieces at £6.00 per kilo).

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU:

Bring a small hand towel and apron and any additional tools you wish to use.

Lunch is not provided but there are several cafes and restaurants in the area. The beach is located directly across from the studio and if the weather is suitable is a perfect spot to have lunch and a swim in the sea.

PAYMENT / IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Please ensure you can attend the workshop you have booked as we cannot offer refunds less than 14 days notice, unless we are able to fill your place with another student. Please get in touch and we will do our best. 

We reserve the right to cancel our courses, taster sessions and workshops. We will endeavour to book you onto an alternative course or offer a refund.