What you need to consider when using porcelain

We talk to New Brewery Arts’ Ceramics Technician Rhi Jarman to find out all we need to know about porcelain, its properties and why its worth experimenting in our studio.

How is porcelain different from other clays? 

Porcelain is different from other types of clay—such as stoneware and earthenware—due to its: 

• Composition – it’s made primarily from kaolin, a very pure, fine-grained white clay

• Firing temperature - it fires at the highest temperatures, where it becomes fully vitrified, meaning it is non-porous and glass-like even without glaze.

• Workability – it’s smooth and fine-textured, but it has low plasticity, making it more challenging to work with—prone to cracking, collapsing, and warping.

• Final characteristics - porcelain is creamy white, translucent when thin, and extremely strong and durable, even though it appears delicate.

Why should people (beginners/experienced potters) come and do a porcelain workshop with us?

Avoid the messy and expensive home pottery setup, come and do a workshop at NBA instead! Attendees will receive expert guidance and hands-on instruction from ceramic artists and professional potters to spark creativity, and to help realise ideas.

With access to high-quality materials and equipment, NBA’s workshops provide professional-grade porcelain clay, tools, and studio equipment, including high-temperature kilns suited for porcelain firing.

What will they learn? 

NBA’s programme includes porcelain specific workshops, from hand building and sculpture, to throwing on the pottery wheel.

Attendees will learn how to prepare and handle porcelain – moisture management is key! – as well as design principles, surface decoration, and the essential techniques, tips and tricks to get to grips with this beautiful but tricky material.

Why wouldn’t they be able to do this themselves?

They would if they have the space, tools and equipment, but there would be a steep learning curve – especially for beginners. Porcelain is expensive, and self-teaching sometimes means wasted clay and failed pieces.

With support from one of our experienced tutors, attendees will learn how to get the most from the material, with less trial and error, to have the best chance of success. 

Check out our upcoming porcelain workshops:

Figurative Porcelain Sculptures - Sophie Woodrow
(Sat 29th Mar, 10am - 4pm & Sun 30th March, 10am - 3:30pm)

Porcelain Throwing (2-day) - Qian Liu
(Thu 10th & Fri 11th Apr, 10am - 4pm, £240)

Porcelain Throwing for Improvers - Qian Liu
(Sat 10th May, 10am - 4pm, £120)

Porcelain Throwing for Improvers - Qian Liu
(Sat 19th Jul, 10am - 4pm, £120)

Porcelain Jewellery - Rhi Jarman Sat 27th Sep, 10am - 4pm, £95)

Q&A: Jilly Edwards, Weaver

We are excited to welcome legendary weaver Jilly Edwards to our Gallery this month (Jilly Edwards – Woven Tapestries: Follow the Thread, 10 Aug- 12 Oct). Jilly will be on hand on opening day (10 Aug) to meet and chat with visitors (2-5pm) in our Gallery, but in the meantime we picked her brain about her career in tapestry. 

How has your appreciation for weaving changed over the course of your career? 

Of course interest and appreciation in woven tapestry has improved over the years. Exhibitions such as the Woven Image exhibition in the Barbican in ‘96 and more recently the Anni Albers’ exhibition at the Tate in ‘18 have widened the audiences.  

I’ve always been appreciative of textiles. As a post WW2 child - and in a largely female family all who sewed, knitted and crocheted - I was given a loom at six and I just loved it.  

Can you tell me a little about your creative process? 

I always have sketchbooks/journals on my desk and in my bags when I go out, so drawing, writing and photography are my first point. Then, back in the studio, I collate the information into more ideas, many drawings until I know that one drawing says something to me and that it’s worth trying to translate the marks.  

What inspires you in your work? 

A word - a glimpse - a sound - a feeling - a memory. 

Who inspires you? 

Theo Moorman - Paul Klee were early inspiration - Mary Farmer - Bridget Riley - Patrick Heron and many more in many disciplines. 

“Get sound business help and learn to talk about what you do and what inspires you - clients love a story. ”

— Jilly Edwards

Moonshine 1919, Paul Klee: Klee is an inspiration of Jilly’s:

What advice would you give to people beginning their weaving journey/career? 

Like a lot of creative careers, it’s not about instant success, so make sure you know as much about the technical side as well as its creative side. Get sound business help and learn to talk about what you do and what inspires you - clients love a story. 

Jilly Edwards – Woven Tapestries: Follow the Thread will run in our Gallery from 10 Aug-12 Oct 2024. Jilly will be in the Gallery on opening day to chat all things tapestry (2-5pm).