Join the Ceramics elective's workshop

You can choose ceramics electives in the autumn semester or in the spring semester. Once a week you have three hours in the ceramics workshop. Here we have a workroom and a burner room/drying room. The first few times you learn the basic techniques in working with clay, so that you have the skills you need to make what you want.

2 types of clay

We use two different types of clay. Both types are white earthenware clay. In its raw/moist state, the clay is gray and plastic, but after it has dried it becomes hard and lighter in colour. The drying time is about 1 week, but it can vary depending on how thick or thin you shape the clay. We use:

White clay with chamotte – this clay is good to work with, but it contains tiny grains that make it feel rougher. This is well suited for small works that have to hold more weight or have more advanced constructions.
White clay without chamotte – this clay is very plastic and easy to work with. It does not contain grains and it feels soft. The advantage of this clay is that you can create small and detailed details.

Verktøy

We have a wide range of tools to help you shape, sculpt, trim and decorate. Wooden tools are well suited to clay because the clay does not stick, and at the same time it is harder than our hands.

Oven/kiln

The incinerator is built up with three floors. It burns two types of "fires".

Raw fire/first firing: Dry products are then fired at around 980 degrees Celsius. When the products come out, the color has turned completely white, moisture has gone out, the product has shrunk a few percent and the product is completely hard and holds its shape.
Glaze firing/ second firing: approx. 1020 degrees Celsius. Raw-fired products now have a layer of glaze on them. The glaze (the "paint" for ceramics) looks like a thin layer of powder. It is important not to have any glaze on the bottom of the product, because then it can burn in the oven! When the glaze fire is finished and the oven is opened, the products have acquired a completely new colour. The glaze has now become completely smooth, waterproof and looks like a thin layer of glass.