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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 three rounds, this is a personalized course in which you'll 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 lessons are therefore intended for people who already have some experience, preferably having taken a discovery course with me: I know exactly what your level is and what steps or movements need to be reviewed, corrected or otherwise.

Commitment to my courses is by 10 sessions of 1 hour or 5 sessions of 2 hours (depending on availability) to be used within 3 months.

The maximum capacity is 8 people, including 3 (max) turning and 5 (max) modeling.

The last 2 sessions are generally devoted to glazing all your pieces. Firing of your pieces and the clay are 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.

Classes are generally held on Mondays from 09:00 to 10:00 (or 11:00 depending on availability) or on Saturdays from 09:00 to 10:00 (or 11:00 depending on availability): we can sometimes do 2-hour sessions if there's no course scheduled afterwards, and if need be, we can also arrange late afternoon or early evening sessions!

In any case, we'll set the dates together!

Beginner's course of 2 hours (10 sessions)

In view of the growing demand for courses for beginners in throwing (=at the potter's wheel as in the film "Ghost"), I am offering you a new formula for periods of 10 weekly 2-hour sessions, in totally private lessons: maximum 3 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

Pascale Vanhaver
Pascale Vanhaver
2023-10-11
Great time spent with a top-notch coach. I really recommend this workshop, I had a magical time.
Claire Vandenbranden
Claire Vandenbranden
2023-09-27
It was so nice, a workshop and an atmosphere that made you feel good. If you feel like giving it a try, don't hesitate. I'm already looking forward to doing it again and creating lots of things.
Brecht Apers
Brecht Apers
2023-08-19
Perfecte instap workshop om de basis te leren en te ontdekken of je hier mee verder wil gaan. Je krijgt een persoonlijke begeleiding doordat de groepjes klein zijn. En als kers op de taart heb je op het einde 4 functionele stukken die je kan meenemen naar huis 👌🏼aanrader
Charlotte Jacques
Charlotte Jacques
2023-08-05
A lot of warmth and sympathy during this modeling workshop! Thank you Aurore for your explanations, both professional and affordable to all! And thank you Fluffy 🐕
Isabelle Lambert
Isabelle Lambert
2023-08-05
Superb discovery! Thanks Aurore
Beatrice Marissiaux
Beatrice Marissiaux
2023-07-27
Very pleasant evenings where we learn the basics step by step guided by Aurore. Aurore teaches us her passion with patience and kindness, allowing us to discover this art form, which is already seducing me. It's a wonderful experience that I'm sure will be repeated! Thank you Aurore
Alexandra Balikdjian
Alexandra Balikdjian
2023-07-07
A unique mother-daughter experience!
Lau B.
Lau B.
2023-06-09
Great experience with Aurore. Super flexible, individual lessons so great follow up and support. Thank you 🙏
Morgane Mulrenan
Morgane Mulrenan
2023-05-06
We had an amazing pottery class with Aurore (and Fluffy ☺️). She was very accommodating and designed a session for a baby shower. We had a fab time and will cherish our creations.
Audrey Monnard
Audrey Monnard
2023-04-24
I'd been looking for a workshop for several months, and Aurore is available, friendly and thoroughly enjoys what she does, preferring quality to quantity. And what quality! Turning lessons where she is 100% with us, guides us, transmits her passion. I recommend her 100%.
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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