Surface Design Workshop 

Exploring Texture, Pattern & Color on Clay

 Join us for an immersive, hands-on Surface Design Workshop led by ceramic artist Hank, where form becomes a canvas and clay transforms through texture, pattern, and color.

This workshop is designed to introduce students to foundational and expressive surface decoration techniques used in contemporary ceramics. Rather than focusing on building forms from scratch, we’ll dive deep into how surfaces are altered, revealed, and finished — allowing you to focus fully on design exploration.

To ensure stability and success, each participant will work with a pre-made 8 oz cup and matching dish, prepared by the studio three days in advance. These pieces will be at the perfect leather-hard stage, making them ideal for carving, layering, and surface manipulation without losing structure.

Throughout the evening, Hank will demonstrate and guide you through several key techniques, including:

• Sgraffito & Colored Inlay
  Etch into colored clay layers to reveal contrasting tones beneath, creating bold lines, patterns, and illustrations.

• Wax Abrasion
  Use wax to resist and disrupt the surface, creating areas of openness, rough texture, and visual tension.

• Underglaze & Colored Slip Application
  Apply color over texture to bring your surface designs to life and complete your piece.

Examples of Hank’s work will be available for inspiration, offering a glimpse into the wide range of possibilities these techniques can unlock — from minimal to highly detailed, graphic to organic.

All finished pieces will be clear-coated and fired by the studio. Your cup and dish will be ready for pickup approximately four weeks after the workshop.

Workshop Details

Instructor: Hank
Location: ARTime BARRO — Santa Monica
Date: Thursday, January 22
Time: 6:30–8:30 PM

Skill Level: Beginner-friendly, intermediate preferred
Ages: 13+
Capacity: Max 15 participants | Minimum 5

What’s Included:

• Pre-made leather-hard 8 oz cup + dish

• All tools, materials, and underglazes

• Clear glazing & firing by the studio

Price: $70 per person

Whether you’re new to surface design or looking to expand your ceramic vocabulary, this workshop offers a focused, creative environment to experiment, learn, and leave with functional pieces that reflect your personal design language.