Understanding Glaze Workshop

A fantastic full-day workshop on how to make and develop your own glazes, with glaze expert and author Louisa Taylor.

An introduction to glaze principles, followed by a practical glaze building activity. Students will end up with four recipes they have designed themselves.

Brighton-based Louisa Taylor specialises in glaze theory and thrown porcelain tableware. She gained a BA (Hons) degree in Ceramics from Bath Spa University, followed by a Master’s from the Royal College of Art, London. Her work is held in private and public collections across the UK, and she has received numerous design awards and accolades.

Alongside her studio practice, Louisa lectures in ceramics at the University of Brighton and is the author of several books, including The Ceramics Bible (2011, and revised edition 2022), Ceramics Masterclass (2020), Glazes for the Contemporary Maker (2023), and Glaze Inspirations (2026).

WORKSHOP STRUCTURE

The workshop will begin with an introduction to glaze principles by Louisa.

Following a short break, students will learn how to carefully weigh out the base glaze recipe ingredients. Louisa will then demonstrate how to prepare a glaze and how to apply the glaze to a test tile.

Next, an introduction to colour. Students will be able to choose four colouring pigments, (for example two oxides, two stains). Louisa will then show students how to do a line increment blend.

After lunch students will complete their glaze test samples and learn glaze testing methods.

WORKSHOP DETAILS

For anyone fascinated by glazes and curious about how they are made. This is great next steps workshop for any students in their pottery journey who may already have, or are thinking of setting up their own home studio.

The workshop is open to adults (18+), and the cost includes instruction, materials and the glaze samples. Refreshments are provided throughout the day, and a light vegetarian lunch. Please alert us of any food allergies on booking.

WHAT TO BRING

We would advise you to wear clothes that you don't mind getting messy, and to bring an apron, plus a notepad and pen.