Surface Design Demonstration – July

Sunday, July 20th
12:00pm – 3:00 pm
$63

Instructor: Jill Leary,
Owner & Founder of Railyard Arts 

Unlock the full creative potential of your ceramics in this immersive surface design workshop led by Jill Leary, founder of Railyard Arts. Whether you’re new to clay or an experienced ceramicist looking to elevate your decorative vocabulary, this session will introduce you to a dynamic range of techniques that bring texture, pattern, and expressive depth to your pottery.

What You’ll Learn: From bold line work to layered imagery, Jill will demonstrate five distinct approaches to surface design:

• Underglaze Transfers: Learn how to apply both pre-designed and custom underglaze transfers to leather-hard or bisque ware. This technique allows for the seamless integration of detailed images and textures into your work.
• Stenciling on Clay: Use stencils to create crisp, graphic patterns. We’ll cover layering, underglaze application, and how different stencil materials can enhance your design options.
• Silk-Screening with Underglaze: Discover how to silk-screen onto clay using custom underglaze “inks.” Jill will demonstrate using a Gelli plate to effortlessly transfer intricate imagery onto your pieces for a professional finish.
• Mishima (Inlay): Explore this delicate inlay technique by incising your designs into the clay and filling them with underglaze. Mishima adds sharp, linear contrast and elegance to your surfaces.
• Sgraffito: Learn to carve through layers of underglaze to reveal striking, graphic designs. This method offers a hands-on approach to drawing on clay with bold impact.

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Demonstration of all surface design techniques with guided instruction and examples from Jill.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Open work time. Apply the techniques you’ve learned to your own pieces with one-on-one support and feedback.

Who Should Attend: This workshop is ideal for ceramic artists of all skill levels. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to expand your creative toolbox, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of surface design possibilities and practical techniques to enrich your studio practice.