Sculptural Slab Building Workshop

Based within in a busy working studio of successful artists and creative professional practitioners, we specialise in sculpture courses for the beginner, intermediate or experienced. With a history of over six years of summer schools and workshops behind us we offer courses in a wide variety of media. We focus on the creative process and the development of skills.

James Oughtibridge specialises in  large-scale ceramic sculpture, and has exhibited successfully in the UK and internationally, after graduating with an MA from the Royal College of Art. His work has been featured in many publications, most recently in Claire Loder's, "Sculpting and Handbuilding":

 

 Course Details

(12th,13th and 14th September)

 

This exciting course is suitable for a beginner or a more confident artist. Class sizes are limited, to ensure a personal touch and productive group dynamic. Book to secure your place on this popular course. Call James on 07880967343, or The Sculpture Lounge on 01484 687425.

 

James Oughtibridge is a highly skilled practitioner and has been teaching adults since 2001, when he graduated in London. Practical work is demonstration-led and tailored, as much as is possible,  to the needs of the individual. Guidance and help is given throughout.

 

The materials provided on this course are the materials that James uses himself to make work to exhibition standard. There are no extra charges for materials or firings. The only additional charge will be for a glazing day, or follow-up sessions, at a later date if required.

 
This course is focused on sculptural slab-building, but there is some flexibility on ideas and outcome. You will be amazed at how versatile clay can be and at the dramatic structures that can be created in a relatively small space of time.

 

You will learn how to prepare and manipulate the clay in various ways, suiting your choice of outcome, using moulds and formers. Work can be developed to be placed in your garden, or interior, and can be functional or purely sculptural. The course is very much designed to send you away with a proudly finished piece of sculptural work and feeling very much inspired and confident to go back to your own studios/classes, armed with new ideas and techniques to try.

 

£310 for three-day course or £280 if you book and pay in full by the 11th of July 

(inclusive of homemade lunch and refreshments)

 

In addition, there is a large-scale state-of- the-art slab-roller at your disposal:

 

 

 

We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to the The Sculpture Lounge. Holmfirth is a popular tourist destination, and there are many B&Bs to be recommended.

 

 

Ivory Vessel, James Oughtibridge

Last year I was commissioned to make a pair of large scale vessels for an interior designer in London and they have just sent me this fab picture from a recent photo shoot.  It's always really nice to see how other people display the work and potential possibilities for different settings and backdrops.

The black clay vessel which I was asked to make by Valentine Clays in Stoke, has now come out of the second firing and I'm rather pleased with the results.  It has come out slightly speckled from the grog content, but I actually quite like it and think it adds to the overall texture giving it a clayness, if that makes sense.  Not sure yet how it will cope on a much larger scale but reckon its worth trialing for a bit.  Right delivery time now and hope they like it!

11 Upwards Ceramics Course

I have spaces available on a new, exciting hand building course aimed at students aged 11-18. The workshop will take place on a Tuesday evening from 6 till 7.30pm and will run for 6 weeks.  The class is £60, which is inclusive of all clay, glaze and firings.  We will explore different hand building methods, such as slab, coils and mould making.  Every student will be able to explore various decorating techniques and the work will then be glazed and fired for you to take away. Work made may be added to school coursework.

Starting end of September 2013.

Black Clay - A New Venture

This is my unfired work, showing my new venture into black clay. After coming to view my work at Art in Clay, Valentines (based in Stoke-On-Trent) commisssioned me to trial their black grogged clay; this is a much coarser body to one that I would normally use, but I've really enjoyed adding texture to the surface. I am hoping that the black will be intense, almost jet-like. It will allow me to make pieces where the colour is integral, rather than glazing as an add on.

 

 

I am assured that once fired, it's colour darkens.

Spaces available Sept: Hand-Built Ceramics

 

All abilities are welcome on this exciting practical course. You will be able to create large-scale indoor or outdoor vessels and sculptures over a ten week period. There are a maximum of ten students ensuring tuition is personalised to the needs of each member.

 

Thursday 7 - 9pm

 

£160 (for first-time students, this reduces)

inclusive of 10kg of clay, all glazes and firings.

 

Tea, coffee and biscuits provided.

Courses run at The Sculpture Lounge.

James Oughtibridge: 07880967343