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Internships, courses and themed workshops

What I propose to you

Workshops for everyone

Internships

If you are a beginner, we will discover together the basic gestures so that you can make your first pieces. If you are already a little experienced, we will review your gestures to improve them, correct them and allow you to evolve.

The courses

After completing the turning and/or modeling course, you can continue to develop your technique in shared weekly classes or in private lessons.

Themed workshops

At certain times of the year, themed workshops, linked to the seasons, will be offered...

Internships

Details of the techniques studied during the proposed courses

Details of the turning (or potter's wheel technique)

To work on the lathe, there are several steps to follow and many manipulations.

This workshop aims to give you an overview of each of these phases and operations in 3 sessions and allow you to make your first ceramics!

Dates and times are available by clicking on the green buttons below.

First session: centering and turning
The clay will first have to be kneaded in order to start centering on the wheel.

Then we will learn how to dig and open the clay, then build up the walls and give a shape to the piece.

Each of these steps requires practice and therefore will be repeated to gain more flexibility and confidence!

Depending on the degree of humidity, the piece should dry for a few hours or even a few days until it acquires the texture known as "leather" (neither too wet nor too dry)

Second session: turning
During the second part of the workshop (1 or 2 days after the first session), we will go back to the wheel, but this time, with the piece positioned upside down, to turn it: make its base, and remove the excess clay that weighs it down and gives it its final shape. You will sign each of your creations!

When the piece is completely dry (so really 100%, it takes several weeks of drying, minimum 3 weeks), it will undergo a first firing at around 950°C and will become a cookie.

Third session: glazing
Afterwards you will apply the glaze by dipping, pouring or brushing (depending on the application technique of the chosen glaze) and the piece will return to the kiln for its final firing at around 1220°C.

You will have to wait a few days again for the room to cool down completely and you will be able to leave proudly with your unique creations!

The clay that we will use will be Belgian stoneware, because it ensures a great solidity of the pieces that you will realize, it is very malleable (and soft to the hands)

All three sessions will take place in my studio, at home, in a good mood 🙂 

With only two rounds, this is a personalized course in which you will learn a lot!

You will have clay at your disposal, you can try and discover the tools of the workshop

The 2 firings, the glazing of your pieces as well as tea or coffee are included in the workshop.

However, if the proposed dates do not suit you, contact me!

Modelling details

Handcrafting encompasses the oldest methods of making clay objects: pinching between the fingers, mounting with doves or assembling pieces of clay sheets called plates.
All of these techniques will help you develop your sensitivity to the essential touch of working with clay, they will soothe you and will even be conducive to meditation!

First session: pinching, colombin and for a complete cooling.
We will discover each of these techniques at your own pace and create your first pieces.

When the pieces are completely dry (so really 100%, it takes several weeks of drying, minimum 3 weeks), they will undergo a first firing at around 950 ° C and become a cookie.

Second session: enameling
Afterwards you will apply the enamel by dipping, pouring or brushing (depending on the application technique of the chosen enamel) and the pieces will return to the kiln for their final firing at around 1220°C

You will have to wait a few days again for the pieces to cool down completely and you will be able to leave proudly with your unique creations!

The clay we will use will be Belgian stoneware because it ensures a great solidity of the pieces you will make, it is very malleable (and soft to the hands) and it is in local circuit.

Both sessions will take place in my studio, at home, in good spirits 🙂

You will have clay at your disposal, you can try and discover the tools of the workshop

Offer a gift voucher
If you wish to offer a workshop or a course or other via a gift voucher.

Here is how to proceed: transfer the amount of the gift to the account BE92 0018 8357 7423 reference: gift voucher.
The recipient can contact me to agree on a date for the workshop and will bring the gift voucher.

photo of pottery on the wheel

Shared classes (experience required)

After having followed the workshop of discovery in the lathe or modeling, you can continue to practice your technique, realize projects and evolve at your convenience.

These classes are intended for people who already have experience, preferably having followed one or more workshops with me: I know exactly your level and the steps or movements that need to be reviewed, corrected or otherwise.

The commitment to my courses is 10 sessions of 1 hour to be used within 3 months.

The maximum capacity is 4 people, 2 of whom practice turning and 2 of whom practice modeling.

The last 2 sessions are usually devoted to the glazing of all your pieces. Firing of your pieces is not included.

Your commitment is for a period of 3 months.
Classes are held every week except during holidays and our vacations.

If exceptionally, we cannot attend a class, we will see together to make it up in the same period.

The courses are done, in general, on Monday from 09h to 10h or on Saturday from 09h to 10h, we can sometimes make 2 hours sessions if there is no training course planned afterwards and if need be, we can also see together for late afternoon or early evening schedules!

We will define together the dates 

Beginner's course of 2 hours (10 sessions)

In view of the growing demand for beginners' courses in throwing (=at the potter's wheel as in the film "Ghost"), I propose a new formula by period of 10 sessions of 2 hours, weekly, in totally private courses: maximum 2 people!

This formula differs from the training course of discovery of the pottery with the wheel because here we will indeed discover all the stages of work with the wheel, at your rhythm, to acquire technique and basic gestures more and more precise but, afterwards we will fix, together, according to your evolution and your wishes, small objectives of creation, imagination, to reach... the whole in the joy, the good mood and the relaxation!

Clay can be purchased at the workshop and if you want your own basic tool kit, I can order it for you too (let me know in advance)

Both firings and glazing are included in the price.

The commitment to this formula is for a period of 10 sessions of 2 hours to be used within 3 months. We define the dates together.

Classes are held every week except during holidays and our vacations.

If exceptionally, we can not attend a class, you must notify me in advance and we will see together to catch up in the same period.

 

The workshops

According to the seasons and my inspiration of the moment, I will propose from time to time a workshop with a theme.

Please note that the birdbath and the family and friends modeling are still available all year long!

Each themed workshop will be accessible to beginners as well as to the more advanced: it is a moment of creative relaxation, alone, accompanied, with family or other.

I can accommodate min 2 people up to max 10 people.

The main technique used will be modeling in several forms: pinching, colombin and plate.

Depending on the difficulty of the theme, it will be necessary to count +/- 2 hours for the 1st session and 1h30 for the 2nd.

The workshop will be done in 2 sessions:

1st session: a bit of theory, preparation of the clay, discovery and practice of the modeling techniques we will use to create your piece

When your pieces are completely dry (so really 100%, it takes several weeks of drying, minimum 3 weeks), they will undergo a first firing at around 950°C and become a cookie. I will contact you when they are ready.

2ᵉ discovery and practice of enameling.

Afterwards you will apply the enamel by dipping, pouring or brushing (depending on the application technique of the chosen enamel) and the pieces will return to the kiln for their final firing at around 1220°C

You will have to wait a few days again for the pieces to cool down completely and you will be able to leave proudly with your unique creations!

The clay we will use will be Belgian stoneware because it ensures a great solidity of the pieces you will make, it is very malleable (and soft to the hands) and it is in local circuit.

Both sessions will take place in my workshop, at home, in a good mood 

The date of the workshop as well as the price per person will be communicated to you +/- 2 months before its launch via the newsletter and social networks.

painting on clay

Contact me

Would you like to participate in a training course, a course or a themed workshop?

Location

Workshop:
48 Avenue des Perdrix 1410 Waterloo Belgium

Phone

0473 67 86 27

Email

info@auchatdargile.be

Opening hours

By appointment

Do you have a question?

Testimonials

What they say about my classes

Catherine Pierre
Catherine Pierre
2022-10-13
I had the chance to share a few hours with Aurore during a shooting workshop: learning techniques, individual lessons, super relaxed and pleasant atmosphere! What a pleasure! Aurore offers customized formulas and shares her experience with pleasure. The emphasis is also put on "eco-responsible" approaches. Even better! Thank you Aurore for allowing us to live these moments of quality, out of time in which the imagination has no limits. Personally, I do not intend to stop there... 🙂
Isaline Chauvin
Isaline Chauvin
2022-09-01
Internships and courses like we have rarely seen! Aurore offers private workshops/courses which, I think, really makes all the difference! (Better learning of techniques, a professional who listens and a very friendly atmosphere) Moreover, the whole workshop is based on the principle of "nothing is lost, everything is transformed" since all the unused and/or dried clay is recovered and reused! It is the same for the water which comes from a rainwater tank! Everything is thought out and personally I find it a real plus! So don't hesitate anymore!
Tania Huber
Tania Huber
2022-08-20
Very pleasant discovery of clay and how it is worked on the wheel 😊😃😃 Aurore's pedagogy, patience and humor are the assets of Le Chat d'Argile to train the novice to discover by himself, guided by the mistress of the place! And all this brings a strong desire to return 🌺 To advise strongly 😀
Françoise Droesbeke
Françoise Droesbeke
2022-08-18
Very nice moment of disconnection spent to elaborate a refreshment bar for the birds. The atmosphere is pleasant and relaxed. The activity takes place in small groups. Thanks to Aurore for her advice. Can't wait to see the result!
Laurence Vandooren
Laurence Vandooren
2022-08-09
Nice initiation to pottery with Aurore. I still have the last phase to do. The first 2 classes went very well. To be recommended!
Charline Adrians
Charline Adrians
2022-08-08
I started my internship with Aurore and frankly great experience! Professional, attentive, listening, caring,... Thank you so much for introducing me to ceramics 😊
De Gheus Dominique
De Gheus Dominique
2022-08-07
Thank you for your beautiful energy to transmit your art, it was great!
Yamina Seghrouchni
Yamina Seghrouchni
2022-07-26
I did a pottery workshop in this warm place. Very happy with the result! The first day required a lot of concentration and the second day was very revealing and fun! I had a great time and will go back regularly to refine my knowledge!
Valerie Pourbaix
Valerie Pourbaix
2022-07-09
1st part of my tour discovery course super cool! Aurore is very nice, she listens and accompanies you step by step in a relaxed and musical atmosphere. I can't wait to discover the rest!
Audrey Mertens
Audrey Mertens
2022-05-11
I loved it. The training is very complete, all the phases are really well explained. All this with a very nice and professional teacher. A real moment of pleasure. And for the most, the respect of the environment, while using local products.thank you for this beautiful discovery 🙂
clay cup
atelier-a-theme-au-chat-d-argile

Au Chat d'Argile, a local workshop where the love of clay is transmitted, where you create objects that you love, where you develop your creativity in a good mood and where you feel good.

Fun fact

Au Chat d'Argile in a few figures

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