Classes

This workshop is an introduction to the techniques needed to create a beautiful ceramic starfish, You will learn the hand building techniques of slab building and slip decorating and will create a unique piece of work.

Our class sizes are small, a maximum of five so that I can give you lots of individual attention and help. I will be there to guide you at all times,using a mix of simple techniques and demonstrations.

This is a great way to try working in clay and is ideal for absolute beginners. Your work will stay at my studio to dry , be clear glazed and fired twice.

What’s include in this special introductory price ?

2 hours of Tuition, clay , clear glazing and two firings . Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided.

What to bring

An apron or wear old clothes . Working in clay can be messy

To book or if you have any questions please either email hello@colins.studio or call Annette on 06 59 23 66 00 or complete the form below.

SUITABLE FOR - Beginners and Intermediate

This course is suitable for beginners and the intermediate student. You will create a Hare sculpture approx 20 - 25 cm high.

Courses are small, usually a maximum of 4 people so that I can provide plenty of individual tuition.

The course begins with an introduction to the material and technique followed by a demonstration. You will then create your own Hare sculpture. I will guide you throughout the whole process, explaining how to handle and control the clay and assisting you with getting your proportions right.

Your sculpture will stay at the studio to dry and then you'll return for a 2 hour hollowing out and finishing session . This is followed by further drying time and when ready , firing in my kiln. The piece will be ready for collection 2-4 weeks after completion.

What's included in the price -

Tuition

White or black clay and firing

Tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits

What to bring - an apron or old clothing

To book or if you have any questions please either email hello@colins.studio or call Annette on 06 59 23 66 00 or complete the form below.

Course Dates 3 Sunday afternoons

January 12th, 19th &26th 14.00-18.00

Cost 100 euros

SUITABLE FOR - Some experience useful but all abilities welcome.

Figurative human sculpture has an ancient tradition and still fascinates us today.

Modelling the human form from clay represents a challenge for any artist but the secret to success is an understanding of proportion and basic human anatomy.

I will demonstrate how to achieve this using photographic reference and Nigel, our resident life size skeleton.

I will guide you through the whole process, explaining the articulation of the skeleton and where the major muscle groups sit so that you can create your own life like sculpture.

Finally you will hollow out your figure ready for firing in the kiln.

What’s included -

Tuition

Clay and firing

Tea , coffee, biscuits

What to bring

An apron or wear old clothes . Working in clay can be messy

To book or if you have any questions please either email hello@colins.studio or call Annette on 06 59 23 66 00 or complete the form below.

The Green Man is an ancient nature symbol and faces decorated with berries, foliage and vegetation have been made to represent these pagan idols for centuries .

in this workshop you can become part of this ancient tradition and make your own interpretation of the Green Man or Woman .On the first day I will demonstrate how to model the face and using straight forward techniques you'll learn how to construct the facial features in the right proportions
The second morning is for decorating , hollowing out and refining the features of your Green Man Mask.I’ll demonstrate how to create leaves and foliage and help you achieve the finished look that you want
It will then stay at the studio to dry and be fired.

If you’d like to add some colour an additional glazing workshop is available for 10 euros.

What’s included -

Tuition, clay and firing of your finished work.

Tea, coffee and biscuits.

What to bring

An apron or wear old clothes . Working in clay can be messy

To book or if you have any questions please either email hello@colins.studio or call Annette on 06 59 23 66 00 or complete the form below.

Suitable for all levels including beginners

Over 4 weeks we will explore the principles of proportion, balance, perspective, tone,shade and composition. Still life is the best way to practice the techniques of drawing and you can take the skills that you'll learn in these lessons and apply them to any subject in art. Beginners will learn the basic techniques using a step by step approach .The more experienced student has the opportunity able to build upon and strengthen their knowledge and discover new media, ie: pen and ink.

Drawing is at the heart of all artistic endeavours and in these workshop you will learn how to observe and how to translate what you see onto paper.

The group size is a maximim of 5 students and I will guide you in a straightforward , simple way to help you develop your work and build confidence.

What’s included -

Tuition, tea, coffee and biscuits

What to bring

A3 or A2 sketchpad or white cartridge paper and a board.

Pencils, 2B ,4B and 6B.

If you don’t have the required materials we have them for sale here at the studio.

To book or if you have any questions please either email hello@colins.studio or call Annette on 06 59 23 66 00 or complete the form below.

I will take you carefully and thoroughly through all the stages required to create a life size human head sculpture in clay, explaining in detail how to model the facial features and how to position them in proportion to each other .

In this intensive and fascinating workshop we’ll be sculpting from the inside to the outside , learning the correct anatomical structures of the human face before putting flesh onto the bones.

You will achieve a life like ceramic head that will stay to dry and be fired in my studio kiln after which it will be ready for you to collect.

Reference material is available at the studio but you can bring your own photographs too.

What’s include in the price

21 hours tuition, clay and firing of your finished piece of work. Tea, coffee and biscuits are always available.

Please bring a packed lunch on the full days, a one hour lunch break is included in the time.

What to bring

An apron or wear old clothes . Working in clay can be messy

To book or if you have any questions please either email hello@colins.studio or call Annette on 06 59 23 66 00 or complete the form below.

In this new for 2020 workshop you will be taught how to create a wonderful sculpture of your dearly loved pet. Standing , sitting or lying down your pet portrait will be either approx. 40 cm high or if lying 40 cm long.

I’ll demonstrate the basic techniques and methods required and will be there to help you throughout the creative process.

We work in a small relaxed and friendly class of a maximum of five students .

You’ll need to provide pictures of your pet in the pose that you like.We know that our dear pets don’t always co -operate but the more pictures ,from as many angles as possible that you can get, the better.

An additional glazing session is available at a small cost.

What to bring

An apron or wear old clothes . Working in clay can be messy.

To book or if you have any questions please either email hello@colins.studio or call Annette on 06 59 23 66 00 or complete the form below.

Make a ceramic animal . The choice is yours . Maybe you've always wanted to make an elephant, a warthog ,a dog , the possibilities are endless. There will be some points to consider such as stability and strength, sitting figures are more stable and anything with long extended limbs is prone to be more fragile, but don’t worry , just send me your ideas before the workshop and I will help you to find a pose that will work. Your work can be as abstract, free flowing or as realistic as you like.

In our small group of a maximum of four students I will be on hand to guide , advise and support you all through the lessons.

If you would like to glaze your animal a further glazing session is available and if you find you need more than 4 sessions to complete your masterpiece ,additional sessions can be added.

What’s included -

Tuition, clay and firing of your finished work.

Tea, coffee and biscuits.

What to bring

An apron or wear old clothes . Working in clay can be messy

To book or if you have any questions please either email hello@colins.studio or call Annette on 06 59 23 66 00 or complete the form below.