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Ceramic
Ceramics plays a prominent role among our techniques, along with screen printing and joinery. The ceramics workshops take place on a regular monthly basis, with the timetable varying from month to month.
weekdays - saturdays
morning - afternoon - after work
Ceramics workshops take place on weekdays and/or Saturdays. Our courses range from 3 to 11 hours.
The workshops require no prior knowledge.
The workshops are divided into two types. Workshops that cover the general process of ceramics and the respective techniques (indicated in each one) and specific workshops that cover, for example, decorative techniques.
CONFORMATION
The ceramics workshops dedicated to hand forming are the best place to start. The Ceramics Workshop is more complete (4 sessions) and covers all four hand-forming techniques, while the Flash Ceramics Workshop is an introduction (3 hours) that only covers two hand-forming techniques.
In the Pottery Workshop, we explored shaping using the potter's wheel in two construction sessions and a final finishing/fixing session.
These ceramics workshops, with a few exceptions, take place every month.
Flash Ceramics Workshops are an introductory workshop and are ideal as a first contact with ceramics. This ceramics workshop is suitable for those who have no previous knowledge of the technique. In addition to the theoretical introduction to the world of ceramics, which includes the types of ceramic pastes, the process of transforming clay into ceramics, means of coating and decorating, we will also learn two hand-forming techniques and build at least two pieces.
Manual shaping:
Lastra, ball
1 session of 3 hours
55€
All ceramics workshops include the materials needed for the workshop. This workshop includes firing and glazing.
The Ceramics Workshop is one of FICA's most comprehensive ceramics workshops. You will learn how to build pieces using the four manual forming techniques: Slab, Pinch Pot, Coil and Carved Solid Block. In addition to the process of transforming clay into ceramics, we'll cover some decoration techniques on raw clay, using engobes and textures, and finally, we'll learn how to glaze the pieces. The shape of the pieces is directly linked to the type of techniques we'll be covering, so at the end you'll have four (or more) utilitarian pieces ready to use.
Hand-forming: Ballast, ball, roller and hollowed-out solid
3 sessions of 3 hours + 1 session of 2 hours (11 hours in total)
160€
All ceramics workshops include the materials needed for the workshop. This workshop includes firing and glazing.
Pottery is one of the ancient techniques of ceramics and allows you to create concentric and symmetrical shapes using a rotating base. In this workshop, with specific use of the potter's wheel, each participant will have their own electric wheel to learn how to center and shape different forms on the wheel.
As well as a brief introduction to ceramics, types of paste and the firing process, you will learn how to knead and prepare the paste, as well as how to center, open and pull the clay. The last session will be dedicated to finishing and fretwork, as well as glazing demonstrations.
3 sessions of 2h30 (7h30 hours in total)
160€
All ceramics workshops include the necessary materials. This workshop includes the firing and glazing of 4 hand-scale pieces, which will have to be picked up later.
DECORATION
In addition to the general workshops on hand-forming and pottery, there are other more specific ceramics workshops. On a less regular basis (they don't happen every month), we have workshops dedicated to decoration techniques and coatings. From the use of decals on glazed ceramics to the decoration of shells with ceramic mines. As well as learning how to color ceramic paste to create patterns or apply tile painting techniques.
Throughout our annual program, we invite artists and illustrators to share their techniques and knowledge.
FICA Creative Workshop
One of our ceramics workshops is dedicated to Nerikomi. It's a Japanese ceramic technique that allows you to create patterns through the specific position of different colored pastes. In this workshop we will color pastes using dyes and oxides and learn how to combine and design different patterns. We will create a small display, using Nerikomi slivers, and a simple piece, both of which will be fired and glazed.
1 session of 6 hours
100€
All ceramics workshops include the materials needed for the workshop. This workshop includes firing and glazing.
Photography/Illustration Henriette Arcelin
In this workshop you will create a small illustrated panel using the majolica technique. This technique emerged in the 16th century and made it possible to apply painting techniques to tiles by brushing paint directly onto the tile.
Each participant will explore a concept and transfer it to the panel, which can have up to 4 tiles. We will cover different painting and stamping techniques.
1 session of 3 hours
60€
All ceramics workshops include the materials needed for the workshop. This workshop includes firing and glazing.
Illustration Yara Kono
In the decal workshop you'll illustrate a plate using the ceramic decal technique. You will create your own composition by cutting out and gluing colored decals. Based on your concept and choice of colors, the composition created through cut-outs will be transferred to a ceramic plate.
The ceramic decal has a decorative character and is applied to the ceramic object after it has been fired and glazed, involving a third firing at around 800°C*.
1 session of 3 hours
60€
All ceramics workshops include the materials needed for the workshop. This workshop includes firing and glazing.
Illustration Carolina Celas
In one of the ceramics workshops you'll illustrate a plate using ceramic mines. Taking advantage of the graphic advantages of this technique, which is very similar to pencil and pastel, you'll develop an idea and create a graphic composition drawn directly onto the ceramic plate.
The ceramic mine allows you to draw on the ceramic piece after the first firing. At the end of the class, once the color has set, we will apply the glaze, which always involves a second firing.
1 session of 3 hours
60€
All ceramics workshops include the materials needed for the workshop. This workshop includes firing and glazing.
October
November
December
More ceramics workshops to be announced soon
If you want to find out first-hand about the schedule of workshops for the coming months, subscribe to our newsletter
Find out more about our ceramics workshops
At FICA, ceramics is explored through engaging workshops that offer learning about the processes as well as a chance to get hands-on and create. The Forming and Decorating workshops are suitable for those with no prior knowledge.
The first theme, Forming, stands out with the Ceramics Workshop, a comprehensive course spread over four sessions. Here, participants are immersed in the four main hand-forming techniques: Lastra, Bola, Rolo and Maciço Ocado. Each technique is a unique expression, and participants leave with decorative or utilitarian pieces ready for everyday use.
The Flash Ceramics Workshop, a concise three-hour introduction, is ideal for beginners, providing a theoretical and practical overview of ceramic paste types, coating and decoration processes, as well as two hand-forming techniques.
The Pottery Workshop excels at exploring the potter's wheel, an ancient technique that allows for the creation of concentric and symmetrical shapes. Participants have the opportunity to work individually with a dedicated potter's wheel, learning how to center, open and pull the clay. In addition to shaping, the last session is dedicated to finishing, fretwork and a glazing demonstration.
The second theme, Decoration, opens the door to specific and less frequent workshops, each offering a different perspective on the artistic application of ceramics.
The Nerikomi Workshop, a Japanese technique where participants learn not only how to color pastes, but how to create patterns using those same pastes. Participants develop a small display and a simple piece, both fired and glazed.
The Tile Illustration Workshop focuses on the majolica technique, a form of painting directly onto tiles, exploring individual concepts. It is possible to create small illustrated panels, adding an artistic dimension to traditional techniques.
The Decal Decoration Workshop is a creative process in which participants illustrate a dish using ceramic decals. The composition created through cut-outs is transferred to the ceramic, involving a third firing.
The Decoration Workshop with Ceramic Mines explores the graphic potential of pencil and pastel, allowing graphic compositions to be created directly on the plate, with the glaze applied in a second firing.
Throughout the annual program, you can find other types of workshops, taught by us or by artists and illustrators who have been invited to share specific techniques and knowledge. These workshops are an opportunity to learn, but also to meet artists and their creative processes. This allows you to express yourself artistically, creating individual pieces that reflect your creativity.
The Gym is FICA's open workshop mode. Here you can enjoy a space, with equipment and tools, to continue producing your pieces individually.
We have a ceramic firing service for your pieces. Available for low and high temperature firing, from 800ºc to 1280ºc, with two options.
We don't take reservations for future courses. If you want to find out first-hand about the next month's courses, you should subscribe to our Newsletter - For the first few days after the newsletter goes out, you can only register for the workshops using the links in the newsletter. After that, they will be publicly available on this page.
Cancellations may occur. If the training you want is sold out and you want to receive an alert in the event of cancellations, send an e-mail to workshop@fica-oc.pt, with the subject 'waiting list-workshop name', indicating your name, telephone number and the day of the workshop. If there is a cancellation for that specific workshop, we'll let you know.
The workshops have a minimum/maximum number of participants, as well as a minimum age for participation. All the information is indicated in each workshop (event link).
In accordance with our terms and conditions, training may be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not met. FICA has the right to cancel or postpone any training that does not meet the minimum number of participants (indicated in each of the workshops) and is responsible for rescheduling or refunding the registration fees paid (Fica is not responsible for refunding PayPal fees).
Find out more in the site's terms and conditions.
IMPORTANT - Cancellation/postponement/refund of registrations (including registrations with a gift certificate) is only allowed if you notify us at least 7 days before the start of the workshop.
Any cancellation with less than 7 days' notice, we will do our best to fill your place, however, a refund or postponement can only be made if your place is filled.
If a trainee fails to attend one or more sessions of a training course, FICA is not responsible for replacing or compensating for that session. In the event of any withdrawal during a training session, the trainee will not be entitled to a refund of the registration fee paid.
To cancel/add/refund, you must send an e-mail to workshop@fica-oc.pt quoting your order number. Find out more in the site's terms and conditions.
FICA has the right to cancel or postpone any training that does not meet the minimum number of participants indicated and is responsible for rescheduling or refunding the registration fees paid (Fica is not responsible for refunding PayPal fees).