Join printmaker Charlie Ash on this day workshop to learn how to create tree ring relief prints.

In this workshop Ed will teach you the fundamentals of throwing. These will be broken down and taught with multiple demonstrations and one-to-one guidance including centering clay on the wheel, how to measure clay weight and create the right forms. Alongside this, Ed will demonstrate the use of throwing tools and ribs and show techniques on trimming with control and accuracy.

Over the course of the day, you will have a designated wheel to use for practise, focusing on hand movements, clay preparation and shaping.  You will then decide which specific shapes you would like to practise further, spending time on the wheel to gain a more in-depth understanding of the motions and stages needed to get to a finished pot.

You will leave this workshop with confidence in all aspects of throwing on the wheel and a fundamental understanding of the process and motions needed to create beautiful pottery. You will choose one piece from your day of throwing to be fired with a transparent glaze. 

During this day workshop with printmaker Charlie Ash, you’ll discover how the captivating, complex patterns of organic material can be made into relief prints.

Tree rings make fantastic natural printing blocks, as they can be easily worked to reveal the concentric rings formed by the tree’s yearly growth. Using locally sourced woods such as Ash, Beech, Oak, Hazel and Hawthorn, we’ll be taking a close up look at the different grains of native tree species, and learning how to prepare them into relief blocks - a process of scorching and wire brushing the across the grain. We’ll then practice inking up the blocks and burnishing by hand to transfer the ring pattern onto paper. With opportunities to experiment with colour, layering and composition, you’ll leave the workshop with a series of card size prints, or a larger feature piece, and a closer knowledge of the incredible natural forms which surround us in the local landscape.

Tutor: Charlie Ash
Date & Time: Saturday 13th June, 10am - 4pm
Venue: Chisel Studio, New Brewery Arts
Price: £105 (£0.00 VAT)

Please note that this workshop is for those aged 18 and over.

You are welcome to bring a lidded bottle of water with you but we kindly ask that you do not bring food into the studio.

Refreshments are available at our on-site café Blend until 4pm.

For more information:
Visit our FAQ page

Who is this workshop for?
No printmaking experience needed. Suitable for those who have an interest in printmaking, drawing or design. Also for those who are passionate about trees, gardening and ecology, or would like to learn more about the local landscape.

What you will need:
Please bring an apron or wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.

All materials and equipment are included.

Accommodation: 
Residential option available. Find out about our accommodation, costs and how to book here.

Meet Your Tutor - charlie ash

Ed is a ceramic artist currently working from a studio in Stroud. His practice has evolved through painting into clay sculpture, ceramics and aspects of studio pottery, with wheel thrown forms, plates and painterly glaze application being a major focus. He has previously worked in a porcelain dinnerware company and apprenticed to a very well-established potter who specialised in handmade restaurant-ware and studio pottery . In these roles he gained a lot of experience in the material properties of clay and glaze , throwing, kiln firing and running studios.

In his own work he uses thrown forms as a ‘canvas’ to work on, making glazes from scratch and experiment with methods of surface, design, colour, application, raw materials, clay types and kiln firing using electric and gas. he is interested in making expressive work that is contemporary whilst containing references to ceramic movements of the 20th century. Emphasis is spent developing shapes that are personal and appealing whilst aiming for a timelessness, warmth of feeling and atmosphere.