Introduction

Discover how you can marbleize clay.  With simple construction methods and a kitchen knife, you will create boxes and other forms by carving thick leather-hard clay.

Techniques

Marbled and Textured Containers starts by adding pigments to porcelain slip and using plaster bats to lower the water content of the pigmented porcelain slip.  Then we will combine pigmented porcelains and stoneware clays to create solid forms.
Using often-overlooked techniques, we can carve a variety of forms including boxes, cups, stamps, and sculptural forms and thereby reveal dramatic marbled patterns hidden in the clay. We can also explore carving bone-dry clay and carefully refining quickly made forms before the firing process.  These are easy and subtle but game-changing creation techniques.
Because the marbled clay is our final surface decoration, it is simple to finish these pieces.  You can fire them in an electric kiln with or without a simple transparent glaze.

Teaching method

Learning by doing and making: all techniques are demonstrated step by step, and together we each get to work with what we have learned. The course is suitable for all levels from beginner to advanced. Individual guidance is a priority and yet through shared discovery, all of us learn from one another.  Marc will strive for every student to be able to take home a selection of pieces, along with plenty of ideas and insight into the fine details of creating and living the life of an artist.

Logistics

On every class day, a delicious meal will be served. At booking, you may select your preferred room type, choosing between standard lodging, single room and/or upgraded accommodation. Please note that depending on the availability, certain types at times may not be offered.
The workshop is suitable for all levels. Last kiln opening will be on the Saturday morning, therefore  do not plan to  leave before 9.30 am.

The Artist

Marc Leuthold, based in New York, has been invited to teach, create and exhibit art all over the world.  Leuthold embraces humor, empathy, and cross-cultural experiences.  He speaks English and some French, German, Spanish and Mandarin.  He has exhibited artwork at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Smithsonian Museum of American Art in Washington DC, and won second prize in the first Blanc de Chine International Porcelain competition.
Leuthold has written numerous articles about ceramics for New Ceramics/Neue Keramik Journal of Germany, and Leuthold’s artwork was featured on the cover of Peter Lane’s book, Contemporary Studio Porcelain, University of Pennsylvania Press.  He has taught at the State University of New York, Princeton University, and Parsons School of Design.  He is the only foreigner to have taught ceramics full time at a Chinese university, the Shanghai Institute for Visual Arts, for five years.

www.marcleuthold.com