Guides
From Watercolour Gesture to Hand-Built Clay FormA watercolour sketch can hold a whole landscape in a few loose marks. A wash of blue may suggest open sky, while one dark brushstroke can become a rock, a…
A Cleaner Finish For Oversized Ceramic PlatesLarge ceramic plates have a presence that smaller pots rarely achieve. Their broad surfaces can carry coastal colours, botanical marks and quiet abstract…
Making a Ceramic Candle Holder With Driftwood TextureA ceramic candle holder shaped by the weathered character of driftwood brings the shoreline indoors. Its irregular ridges, softened edges and shallow cracks…
The Mediterranean sun and evenly dried ceramic greenwareDrying greenware is a quiet stage of pottery, yet it has a major influence on the final result. Before a piece reaches the kiln, its clay body must release…
Building a Small Backyard Pit Kiln for Smoke-Fired CeramicsBuilding a small pit kiln in your backyard for smoke firings can produce richly marked pots with charcoal greys, warm browns, flashes of copper and…
How to photograph ceramic art for Instagram on a budgetGood images can make a handmade cup, sculptural form or decorative plate feel tangible on a small screen. You do not need a studio, expensive camera or…
Making functional mugs with abstract glaze splashesMy process for making functional mugs with abstract glaze splashes begins with a simple question: how should a mug feel in the hand and behave in daily use? A…
A Ceramic Wall Plaque Inspired by Pacific Northwest MossDesigning a wall plaque that captures Pacific Northwest moss begins with looking beyond its green colour. Moss is a study in softness, layered growth, damp…
The Best Clays for Hand-Building Sculptural Fish FormsFish sculptures reward a clay body that can hold a sweeping tail, a raised fin and the gentle curve of a belly without collapsing. The right choice also…
Creating a Textured Serving Bowl with Dried Seaweed ImpressionsA serving bowl can carry the character of a coastline without looking overly literal. Pressing dried seaweed into soft clay creates delicate ridges, branching…