Ceramic Illustration and Modeling Techniques

The merging of different artistic languages and creative processes can give life to unique compositions, as shown by the Chilean artist Pepa Espinoza, who explores two of her specialties in her creations: ceramics and illustration. By linking these two areas, her ceramic pieces gain color and texture, and her illustrations, beyond the paper, acquire a new dimension giving life to decorative and utilitarian objects.

In this course, learn how to give volume to your illustrations, taking an image from paper to ceramics and creating a piece with textures and decorative techniques. To do this, learn, step by step, the different manual processes of modeling and the materials to illustrate and color your ceramic pieces by applying different types of paint. By the end, you will be able to create unique pieces with your own hands.

You will start by meeting Pepa, who will tell you how she went from architecture to ceramics and how this material caught her attention. You will learn about her influences and everything that inspires her when creating a new piece.

In the second unit, learn about the varieties of clay that exist and how they behave; also, see the different types of paint for ceramics and their main characteristics. Pepa shows you how to organize and visualize your themes and ideas so that, from them, you can create a sketch on paper.

After having your sketch finished, put your hands in the clay and start modeling, learning different manual techniques such as pinching, rolls, and plates. Explore the potential of each one so that you can create the effects you want and create the basis for your ceramic illustration.

In the next stage, finish shaping your ceramic illustration and learn different painting techniques: from engobe to the use of pigments, glazes, and pencils. Pepa teaches you more about the materials and their behavior in the different stages of burning.

Finally, see how to give a touch of light to your illustration using the "golden glow". Pepa gives you a few final tips so that you can transport your pieces, preserving the work, and avoiding possible damage.

Create a ceramic illustration with volume, where you will put into practice different modeling and illustration techniques to personalize your piece.

Anyone who wants to learn something new and explore the possibilities of ceramics, through a pleasant and relaxing process.

To take this course you do not need previous knowledge, but if you already have it you can explore new techniques to combine ceramics and illustration.

As for the materials, you will need a basic ceramic kit or you can use, as an alternative, tools that you find at home such as ice cream sticks, needles, sponge, roller, fishing line, old fabrics. You will also need clay and paints for ceramics. Finally, you will need access to a craftsman's oven or pottery workshop in which you can rent an oven. This is not necessary if you use air-drying clay.