Understanding porcelain online workshop

Understanding porcelain is a 6-week formal online workshop with an additional 4 weeks for viewing all the videos. If you want to change from stoneware or earthenware to porcelain clay, then this virtual porcelain class, that you can attend in your own place, will give you enough information to make an easy switch.
Break the myths and begin to understand the character of porcelain in these clear, close-up and detailed video demonstrations. With direct online access to Antoinette throughout the course, potters will be assisted to easily work with porcelain clay, while pushing their own limits. Whether hand building, throwing, trimming or altering on the potter’s wheel, beginners to advanced potters will learn to work easily and successfully with the “Diva of clay” and get translucent porcelain.
​​Antoinette explains design, firing and glazing techniques to prevent slumping and cracking and to ensure success with porcelain.

​Duration of class
6 weeks formal video classes, 4 weeks reviewing
10 weeks total viewing

Preview class and register

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Contents of the class

Week 1 - Introduction to pottery clay
Compare porcelain, earthenware, and stoneware for their use in pottery.

• Earthenware: Low-fired, porous, and often red or buff in color.
• Stoneware: Mid- to high-fired, durable, and typically gray or brown.
• Porcelain: High-fired, white, translucent, and refined—often considered the “Diva of clay.”

Where does potter's clay come from?

• There are many types of material that is pliable and that is used in different crafts. Real potters’ clay must be fired in a kiln (pottery oven) to temperatures exceeding 1,050 C or 1,922 F (unless it is an alternative firing) The clay that we use is earth, found in certain places where wind and water may have gathered it. I will discuss the origins of clay in general but then focus on porcelain clay.

We will discuss the clay preparation in detail.

• Wedging clay that is essential for removing air bubbles and aligning particles.
• Porcelain has fine particles, tightly packed, that makes it less plastic and more prone to cracking.
• Understanding particle movement in mastering the shaping of porcelain and drying techniques.

History and Character of porcelain

• There is a very interesting history behind porcelain that started centuries ago. Porcelain as it was originally mined in ancient China is completely different from what was created in the 17th century in Europe. European potters developed their own recipes, altering the original character. Therefor it is important to understand at least some basics of the development of porcelain clay in order to understand the character thereof. Today’s porcelain is a blend of ancient tradition and modern innovation. 
• The core ingredients of porcelain are Kaolin (clay), Feldspar (flux), Silica (glass former). These raw materials are not very potters friendly. Over the years other raw materials were added to make the clay more plastic. Potters are still struggling with cracking, warping and difficulty in throwing porcelain. The additions of other clay materials helped to make the clay more pliable and give it a better green strength, but that caused problems of its own. During this online class we explore the character of porcelain and as we get to understand the medium, it becomes much easier to manipulate the clay and become successful to eliminate mistakes and push the limits of the medium.

Clay wedging with the bull's head technique.

Making a clay ball from two pinched bowls.

Week 2 - Understanding Porcelain Clay  
Porcelain Pinching  
Pinching clay is often seen as a beginner’s technique for many potters as their first experience with clay. However, some potters never learned this method because their teachers did not consider it as an essential process. This is a major misconception, and potters who join our e-class quickly discover the importance of pinching porcelain clay right from the start.  
I discuss this topic in my blog post, "Pinch Pots: Is It Beginner's Work or a Great Starting Point?"  

In this online class, students not only understand why pinching clay is important, but they also gain hands-on experience with the unique qualities of porcelain. They learn how drying affects different stages of the process and discover ways to manage drying effectively. Students work at their own pace, allowing them to create as many pinch pots as they like. They have the chance to explore combination pinch pots, which open the door to crafting round or oval enclosed form.  

Why make pinch bowls?  
- Understanding the stages of clay drying and storage between stages  
- Creating a single bowl or multiple bowls through pinching  
- Experimenting with combination pinch bowls  

​Trimming and finishing a pinch bowl  
Many potters prefer using the potter's wheel over hand-forming clay because it offers more mechanical control, resulting in work that appears more professional and polished. However, this perception often stems from not knowing how to achieve a professional finish by hand. Once they discover that tools can be bought or made to help create a refined finish, it opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for their creations.  

• Which tools to consider  
• How to achieve a professional finish.  
• Creative ideas for your pinch bowl.  

Week 3: Throwing porcelain on the potter's wheel 
Porcelain Wheel Throwing  
In this class, we’ll revisit wheel throwing techniques as if you are a beginner potter. We’ll provide guidance for all potters aspiring to specialize in porcelain. Even if you’re not an experienced potter with a strong background in wheel-throwing porcelain, I assure you’ll gain valuable insights. Many potters take shortcuts with stoneware and earthenware due to their manageable nature, and muscle memory often leads them to throw without much thought. However, porcelain demands attention to even the most basic steps.
We will do bowl variations and more throwing.

Antoinette use Mudtools for trimming.

​Week 4: Trimming porcelain 
Trimming basics 
Porcelain requires very specific trimming tools for the different stages of the clay. We will work with all these tools, including those that are homemade and those that are needed for the porcelain potter.

Cutting and carving tools for pottery

​Week 5: Aesthetic considerations 
Elements of form  
The final result of porcelain objects depends heavily on the form and how it interacts with the firing process. The relationship between making and firing is explored in depth.  

Considerations on decoration  
Decoration for translucent porcelain can range from simple to complex. The role of light and shadow in porcelain decoration is significant. Every line on a pottery piece conveys a message, and the potter must understand how each line influences the pot and in what way.  

Week 6: Basic Glaze and Firing
Pottery glazing is an essential aspect of working with porcelain, even if this isn’t a glazing class. It’s important to understand the basics of glazes and how to apply them. I use spray glazing techniques because my pieces are very thin. Regular dipping of porcelain will only wash off when the walls get soaked with the water in the glaze.

High fired porcelain cannot be successful, unless the potter fully understands what happens in the kiln. Too often they will complain that the porcelain slumped, and they will not know why and how to correct the problem. This course emphasizes firing methods, schedules, and the precautions needed for success. I'll explain why I fire my kilns the way I do and cover packing and firing an electric kiln.

Throughout the course, I will enrich the learning experience with samples, sketches, and other engaging materials that mimic a hands-on pottery class.