A practical hands on approach to making glazes and exploiting a myriad of special effects in glazes from Lava to Oil Spot, expertly tutored by the author of numerous books on Glazing - Linda Bloomfield.
During the course you will spend the first day making glaze tests, then the next day learning about glaze chemistry and analysing the results.
This course is ideally suited to anyone that has some experience of glazing pots and wants to deepen their understanding and do some experimentation.
Linda designs and makes ceramic art and porcelain tableware. She uses a tactile satin matt glaze outside and colour on the inside. Linda makes her own range of glazes and is particularly interested in the translucent colours obtained using oxides rather than commercial stains. She has written several bestselling books on glazes and teaches courses in the UK and internationally as well as exhibiting widely in the world of design and craft. She is currently writing a new book on new as yet unseen recipes from Hans Coper and returns to Coombe after her sold out course in 2024 and subsequent writing residency for the Coper book.
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Some basic experience of glazing pots is required for this course - any glazing beginners are welcome and we will start from scratch with glaze basics, learning what each material contributes to the glaze. You don’t need to have made a glaze before.
OUTLINE SCHEDULE: Friday // 5-7pm Residents arrive 7pm non residents arrive followed by welcome drinks 8pm dinner Saturday / Breakfast for residents 8.30am, tuition starts at 9.30am for all. 1pm Lunch, tuition resumes 2-5pm. Tests into the kiln for firing approx 4pm. Sunday // Breakfast for residents 8.30am, tuition resumes 9.30am-Lunch 1pm - afternoon session 2-5pm including tests coming out of the kiln for group discussion.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS: Residential and non-residential spaces available. NB residents are not required to share bedrooms, see accommodation for more info. .
FOOD & DRINK
Food is a key part of an immersive course at Coombe. Meals are taken at a long shared table with the other participants either inside in the cooler months or outside in our courtyard when the weather is warmer. Our onsite chef caters for you including all/any dietary requirements. We grow our own vegetables and keep chickens for fresh eggs daily. For those that enjoy wine, we have a fantastic wine merchant who supply us with a small range available to buy onsite.
COST: £550 + VAT for residential which covers all your tuition, accommodation, glazes, firing and food from arrival on Friday through to departure on Sunday. Non-residential fees are £411 + VAT include all tuition, glazes, firing and welcome drinks on Friday and lunch on Saturday & Sunday.
MATERIALS LIST: Please bring the following with you which are essential for this course.
20 bisque fired stoneware test tiles [if you don’t have any/can’t make in time let us know and we can provide for you at a cost of £20]
Digital scales if you have them (that go as low as 0.01g
A mask
An apron
A notebook
HOW TO GET HERE: Our address is TQ6 0JA [What3words: What3words: fulfilled.exploring.branching] and we have plenty of free onsite parking. Trains > nearest station is Totnes then we can arrange lift shares or send taxi details. We are about 20 minutes from the station.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ON THE COURSE? Min 6 max 12 to allow the tutor to give everyone enough attention and time on the press
SEASON
Spring at Coombe, particularly April and May area gorgeous time of year. Starting to get warm, flowers and greenery coming out. If it’s cooler weather the fires will be on in the studios and accommodation. If it’s sunnier and warmer we may even get to eat outside. Whatever the weather there’ll be a load of colour and concentration in the studio and an option to walk in the surrounding countryside.
![LINDA BLOOMFIELD - RESIDENTIAL [£660 inc VAT] MAY 2025](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8369cf32838066ecfc21b6/b5dbcc96-7280-4cfd-b3fc-2500c10ba189/IMG_5650.jpeg)
You are booking a 2 day RESIDENTIAL special effect glaze course with Linda Bloomfield [includes 2 nights dinner & accommodation -Friday & Sat + 2 x breakfast Sat & Sun and 2 x Lunch Sat & Sun + Tuition, firings and materials ] total price £550 + VAT [£660].
You are paying for a £150 non-refundable* deposit at the point of booking with the balance of fees due 3 weeks before the course starts.
*Non-refundable and non-transferrable. We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance in the event that you cannot attend. Please read our full Terms & Conditions including cancellations.
![LINDA BLOOMFIELD - NON-RESIDENTIAL [£493 inc VAT] MAY 2025](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8369cf32838066ecfc21b6/a83f1e06-1a5b-4158-b78a-e3c37ffc5bb0/IMG_5651.jpg)
You are booking a 2 day RESIDENTIAL special effect glaze course with Linda Bloomfield [includes 2 nights dinner & accommodation -Friday & Sat + 2 x breakfast Sat & Sun and 2 x Lunch Sat & Sun + Tuition, firings and materials ] total price £411 + VAT [£493].
You are paying for a £150 non-refundable* deposit at the point of booking with the balance of fees due 3 weeks before the course starts.
*Non-refundable and non-transferrable. We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance in the event that you cannot attend. Please read our full Terms & Conditions including cancellations.
