CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Level 1: Glaze: 5 week Course - The Basics

This course is designed for those who have some experience making pottery who are interested in furthering their ceramic knowledge by learning the basics of glaze mixing and glaze chemistry.

Level 1:  Glaze: 5 week Course - The Basics

About Level 1: Glaze: 5 week Course - The Basics

This course focuses on establishing a good understanding of what glaze is, and the components that make glazes work, as well as the processes for mixing and testing batches of glaze for personal use.

Participants in this course will learn about a variety of raw materials used in the ceramic industry as they work individually and in groups to test the effects of various materials on selected glaze recipes. Participants will learn the process of volumetric blending to achieve desired glaze results. At the end of this course each participant will have made a small batch of their own unique glaze to use on their work.

Course Schedule:

16th April - 14th May 5-8pm with Brandon Pena
5th June - 3rd July 4-7pm with Brandon Pena

This course will run for a duration of 5 consecutive weeks in 3 hour sessions. Due to the rolling developmental nature of this course it is expected that participants attend each session as we will be firing and analysing test samples on a weekly basis. The test results will ultimately drive the course. The 6 week schedule will run as follows.

Week 1: Introduction to Glaze Development, Preparing Test Materials.

This week we will discuss glazes, glaze testing, and what to look for in a ceramic glaze. We will talk about setting up and designing tests to best achieve a desired result in glaze development. And we will be using clay to make and prepare testing materials and supports. To be used for the duration of the course.

Demonstration and Objective: Making slab test tiles.

Week 2: Batch Mixing and line blends

This week we will briefly discuss raw materials and the roles they play in forming the glaze surface, along with a discussion on safety when working with raw materials. Participants will learn how to safely and effectively mix a small batch of glaze for testing. Each participant will mix a test batch of glaze from a given recipe. Participants will learn about measuring specific gravity to ensure glaze accuracy, and will test their glaze mixtures by dipping test tiles for various amounts of time to see what the glaze will look like when applied thick or thin. With any leftover glaze material participants will pick a partner to do a line blend with their glaze mixtures to see if and how a glaze surface changes by changing the recipe’s contents.

Demonstration & Objective: Batch mixing, volumetric blending (line blend)

Week 3: Glaze Analysis, and Making pots for final glaze

This week we will be looking at the fired results of the base glazes from the previous week and using the results to select an area of focus moving forward into our glaze development. Participants can choose to work either from the original glaze recipe, or they can choose a focus area from the line blends. If selecting a glaze from the line blends participants will calculate the new glaze recipe prior to mixing their batch. After batches are mixed and new test tiles are dipped, the remainder of time will be given to make small bowls or cups to glaze for their final project.

Demonstration & Objective: Calculating a glaze from known recipes.

Week 4: Glaze Analysis, Quadraxial blends, Oxides and Opacifiers

This week we will be looking at the fired results from week 3 to ensure that our base glazes are suitable for use, and we will be diving into the world of colour, and surface by adding oxides, stains, and opacifiers to our glazes. Using a quadraxial blend, participants will select 4 colourants to add to their glaze recipe, and they will mix 4 small batches for each colourant. Using volumetric blending participants will create a colourful grid displaying how the oxides interact with the glaze and with each other. If time, participants will trim or fettle their work from the previous week.

Demonstration & Objective: Batch mixing, large scale volumetric blends.

Week 5: Final Analysis, Batch Mixing and Glazing.

This week will be the most exciting as we will be looking at the final results of our quadraxial blends and selecting one glaze to mix in a larger batch for participants to use as they please. Participants will use their glaze for the small pots made in the weeks prior. Participants are encouraged to discuss glaze results and exchange glaze recipes.

Whats Included:

All materials, including clay and tools.

Expert guidance from experienced tutors.

Suggested Follow up Courses:

Hand-Building: 7 Week Course - Level 1 (Sculpture)

Pottery Wheel: 5 Week Course - Level 1 (The Basics)

Pottery Wheel: 5 Week Course - Level 1 (Bowls)

Pottery Wheel: 5 Week Course - Level 1 (Mugs)

Sponsored Links

East Renfrewshire Culture
Media Shop
Glasgow Science Centre
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Mowgli
Fayre Play

Other Events at The Craft Pottery Studio

Hand-Building: Introduction Class - Craft & Sip

Selected dates between 30th November 2025 - 29th March 2026

Join The Craft Pottery Studio for their most popular BYOB pottery session... a fun introduction to making ceramic forms using hand-building techniques!

READ MORE

Pottery Wheel: Group Introduction Class

Selected dates between 14th December 2025 - 29th March 2026

Join The Craft Pottery Studio for one of their regular introduction to making ceramic forms using the potter's wheel sessions!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

The Quay
Glasgow Marriott
The Ivy
City Sightseeing Glasgow
City Of Glasgow Chorus
ATG

Similar events you might like...

Ukulele Classes For Wee Fingers

Ukulele Classes For Wee Fingers

Selected dates between 24th March 2025 - 1st March 2026

Looking for the perfect way to introduce your child to music? Amplify's fun and engaging ukulele classes are designed just for 5 to 8-year-olds—the perfect stepping stone into music education!

READ MORE
Adult Music Workshops

Adult Music Workshops

Selected dates between 24th March 2025 - 1st March 2026

Always wanted to play an instrument? Now's your chance! Join Amplify Music Academy for their relaxed, one-hour daytime group lessons for adults!

READ MORE
A Ritual of Stillness: Soundbath at Queen’s Park Govanhill Church

A Ritual of Stillness: Soundbath at Queen’s Park Govanhill Church

Selected dates between 25th August 2025 - 29th December 2025

A soft place to land. Gongs, bowls, and silence unfolding beneath the arches of the sanctuary — a quiet ceremony of sound and stillness.

READ MORE
MUMS - Meet Up & Make Stuff

MUMS - Meet Up & Make Stuff

Selected dates between 10th September 2025 - 31st May 2026
Glasgow South Side

MUMS - Meet Up & Make Stuff - is a project delivering free creative wellbeing sessions for new mums led by artist Marie-Claire Lacey with a cohort of guest artists.

READ MORE
Winter Warmer Workshops

Winter Warmer Workshops

Selected dates between 4th November 2025 - 20th January 2026

Music Broth's Winter Warmer Workshops are all about bringing people together with fun activities in a welcoming environment!

READ MORE
Cooking with Sara: Master Four Classic Italian Pasta Sauces

Cooking with Sara: Master Four Classic Italian Pasta Sauces

Selected dates between 21st November 2025 - 22nd January 2026

Join Italian-born Sara Seravalli for a relaxed and interactive cooking demonstration at Il Salotto — Glasgow’s beautiful design hub in the Merchant City.

READ MORE
Hand-Building: Introduction Class - Craft & Sip

Hand-Building: Introduction Class - Craft & Sip

Selected dates between 30th November 2025 - 29th March 2026

Join The Craft Pottery Studio for their most popular BYOB pottery session... a fun introduction to making ceramic forms using hand-building techniques!

READ MORE
Wild At Mugdock

Wild At Mugdock

Selected dates between 7th December 2025 - 8th February 2026

Older children can get out in the great outdoors and enjoy activities such as orienteering, shelter building and bushcraft at Mugdock Country Park's Wild At Mugdock sessions!

READ MORE
Forest Families

Forest Families

Selected dates between 7th December 2025 - 22nd February 2026

Enjoy a Sunday morning of family fun in the great outdoors on one of Mugdock Country Park's Forest Families sessions!

READ MORE

Find other events in Glasgow

Sponsored Links

East Renfrewshire Culture
Media Shop
Glasgow Science Centre
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Mowgli
Fayre Play
The Quay
Glasgow Marriott
The Ivy
City Sightseeing Glasgow
City Of Glasgow Chorus
ATG

Popular Events

Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland
Glasgow's Winter Wonderland, the city's most anticipated festive celebration, will transform Glasgow Green and St Enoch Square into enchanting winter wonderlands of light, laughter and seasonal cheer!
Ashton Lane Hogmanay Street Party
The Ashton Lane Hogmanay Street Party is back for 2025 and it's going to be bigger and better than ever, tickets are going fast so pick up yours today!
itison Drive-In Movies
The Christmas tradition of the year is back... Scotland's original Drive-in returns to Loch Lomond Shores this December, with your favourite festive classics!
Clydeside Christmas Village
Get ready for something truly special this winter... introducing Clydeside Christmas Village, arriving in Glasgow for the very first time between Saturday 29th November and Sunday 4th January!
The Little Mermaid
Join Glasgow pantomime superstar Elaine C Smith, and the King's favourite funny-man Johnny Mac as they dive to the depths of the ocean when they return in 2025 with The Little Mermaid!

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro