Pottery and Ceramics: Mould Making and Slip Casting

Learn mould making and slip casting with our Pottery courses in Sydney.

Learn about the process of mould-making and slip-casting for ceramics. Slip-casting is a ceramic production process for the creation of multiples of the same shape.

In this course, you will have the opportunity to learn how to make two different shapes, both of which you will be able to choose. We will start with learning how to make plaster moulds, then go on to slip-casting from these moulds, before learning a few techniques for decorating the pieces.

By the end of the course, you will have learnt how to make your own simple plaster moulds, and how to use the slip-casting technique to produce multiple clay casts from these moulds. You will also be led through several different decorating techniques for your pieces, as well as different glazing techniques. You will have the opportunity to design and make your own models to cast a mould from, and you will learn what forms are suitable for this technique.

Come with a readiness to learn and to get your hands dirty, and you will go home with several ceramic pieces that you have made.

Course outcomes

By the end of the course, you will have learnt how to:

• make basic models suitable for casting from
• make a simple plaster mould
• slip-cast
• decorate your piece
• fire in an electric kiln

Ideal for

This course is designed for absolute beginners or people with a minimal working knowledge of ceramics.

Course content

• Information about how ceramics are created
• Model-making forms and processes
• Design
• Plaster mould-making
• Slip-casting
• Using tools for decoration
• Firing in electric kilns

Week 1

• Introduction to ceramics and clay
• Model making from clay
• Mould making a smaller piece

Week 2

• Slip-casting from mould 1
• Preparing found model for mould-making
• Mould making a larger piece

Week 3

• Slip-casting from moulds 1 and 2
• Making glazes and glaze techniques

• Week 4*
• Slip-casting from moulds 1 and 2
• Surface decoration techniques

Week 5

• Glazing all casts
• Firing

Venue

Louise M Studio
20-28 Carrington Road
Marrickville, NSW, 2204
(Access via Renwick Street)

Parking directions:
It is best to park on Renwick Street – it is usually easy to secure a spot on Renwick Street between the cross-streets of Carrington Road and Excelsior Parade.
Cary Street and Warren Road will also have a few spots to park.

Other information

• Please don’t wear your best clothing! Things will get messy
• If you have long hair, please tie it back
• Wear closed-in shoes
• You will need to return a week after the last class to collect your pieces. You will be able to discuss this with your teacher