Hand-building to Raku
Hand-Building to Raku: 6-Week Course
Join us for a six-week course exploring hand-built ceramics, culminating in the excitement of a live raku firing. This course is designed for those who want to develop their making skills while experiencing the unique energy of firing work in a communal, outdoor setting.
Throughout the course, you will be introduced to a range of hand-building processes. From pinch and coil construction to slab-building techniques, each session focuses on developing both technical understanding and personal expression. Participants will learn how to shape, join, refine, and finish clay forms, as well as how to approach surface decoration in ways that respond to the raku process.
Teaching is structured but flexible, with demonstrations, guided exercises, and time for individual exploration. Whether you are new to ceramics or looking to expand your practice, you will be supported in building confidence and refining your ideas.
Held at Leach Pottery, the course draws on the heritage of the studio while encouraging experimentation and contemporary making. The environment offers a strong connection to tradition alongside a spirit of openness—an ideal setting to explore both foundational skills and more playful approaches to clay.
Join us for a six-week course exploring hand-built ceramics, culminating in the excitement of a live raku firing. This course is designed for those who want to develop their making skills while experiencing the unique energy of firing work in a communal, outdoor setting.
Throughout the course, you will be introduced to a range of hand-building processes. From pinch and coil construction to slab-building techniques, each session focuses on developing both technical understanding and personal expression. Participants will learn how to shape, join, refine, and finish clay forms, as well as how to approach surface decoration in ways that respond to the raku process.
Teaching is structured but flexible, with demonstrations, guided exercises, and time for individual exploration. Whether you are new to ceramics or looking to expand your practice, you will be supported in building confidence and refining your ideas.
Held at Leach Pottery, the course draws on the heritage of the studio while encouraging experimentation and contemporary making. The environment offers a strong connection to tradition alongside a spirit of openness—an ideal setting to explore both foundational skills and more playful approaches to clay.
In the final session, the group comes together for a raku firing. This fast-paced, atmospheric firing method brings an element of unpredictability and excitement, as pieces are removed from the kiln while glowing hot and transformed through flame and smoke. It’s a shared experience that celebrates process, community, and the unexpected beauty of ceramics.
What you’ll explore:
Pinch, coil, and slab-building techniques
Form development and structural understanding
Surface treatment and texture
Preparing work for raku firing
The raku firing process and its unique outcomes
Course structure:
Weeks 1–5: Hand-building techniques, making, and preparation
Week 6: Group raku firing session
This course offers a complete making cycle—from raw clay to finished, fired work—within a supportive and inspiring studio setting.
Ability & Skill Level
These workshops are suitable for beginners – if you’ve never touched clay before or perhaps you’ve done a few workshops previously, this is for you.
Equipment & materials: clay and a basic tool kit is provided. We focus on building core skills and working directly with the clay to get the most from a core selection of tools. Please bring additional tools if you wish to use them along with an apron and hand towel. *if the address that you would like your work posting to is non-UK, extra postage will apply.
Any questions? Please visit out FAQ — The Leach Pottery
Please be aware, only assistance dogs are allowed in the Learning spaces.
Terms and conditions Please sign-up to our mailing list to receive news about courses and the Leach Pottery.
In the final session, the group comes together for a raku firing. This fast-paced, atmospheric firing method brings an element of unpredictability and excitement, as pieces are removed from the kiln while glowing hot and transformed through flame and smoke. It’s a shared experience that celebrates process, community, and the unexpected beauty of ceramics.
What you’ll explore:
Pinch, coil, and slab-building techniques
Form development and structural understanding
Surface treatment and texture
Preparing work for raku firing
The raku firing process and its unique outcomes
Course structure:
Weeks 1–5: Hand-building techniques, making, and preparation
Week 6: Group raku firing session
This course offers a complete making cycle - from raw clay to finished, fired work—within a supportive and inspiring studio setting.
Ability & Skill Level
These workshops are suitable for beginners – if you’ve never touched clay before or perhaps you’ve done a few workshops previously, this is for you.
Equipment & materials: clay and a basic tool kit is provided. We focus on building core skills and working directly with the clay to get the most from a core selection of tools. Please bring additional tools if you wish to use them along with an apron and hand towel.
If the address that you would like your work posting to is non-UK, extra postage will apply.
Any questions? Please visit out FAQ — The Leach Pottery
Please be aware, only assistance dogs are allowed in the Learning spaces.
Terms and conditions
Please sign-up to our mailing list to receive news about courses and the Leach Pottery.