Clay, texture and colour: botanical making with air-dry clay
Course Overview
On this course you will explore the possibilities of air?dry clay through botanical themes. You will learn how to handle, shape and decorate air?dry clay while developing an understanding of its properties and safe studio practice. With guidance from your tutor, you will experiment with colour, texture and form to create your own botanical inspired piece. Both set projects and personal project options will be available.
Location: Crowndale Road, Camden
Who is this course for and what will I learn?
This course is suitable for complete beginners as well as learners with some experience of clay who wish to develop their skills further. It is ideal for anyone interested in exploring botanical design (using seeds, roots and plants etc.), experimenting with materials and building confidence in a supportive studio environment.
Teaching is tailored to individual progression, enabling beginners to build foundational skills while supporting more experienced learners to refine techniques and develop independent, project-based work.
On this course you will learn to:
- Explore botanical themes and materials for a personal project
- Plan and develop ideas through sketchbooks and practical experimentation
- Build technical skills in shaping, joining and surface decoration
- Apply safe studio practice appropriate to a clay working environment
If you are interested in a specialist technique, please speak to the tutor or contact ArtsSchool@wmcollege.ac.uk before enrolling to check whether it can be accommodated.
Teaching is tailored to individual progression, enabling beginners to build foundational skills while supporting more experienced learners to refine techniques and develop independent, project-based work.
On this course you will learn to:
- Explore botanical themes and materials for a personal project
- Plan and develop ideas through sketchbooks and practical experimentation
- Build technical skills in shaping, joining and surface decoration
- Apply safe studio practice appropriate to a clay working environment
If you are interested in a specialist technique, please speak to the tutor or contact ArtsSchool@wmcollege.ac.uk before enrolling to check whether it can be accommodated.
How will I learn?
Learning takes place through individual and group demonstrations, one-to-one tuition, hands?on making, personal project work and group discussions. Small class sizes (maximum 12 learners) ensure tailored support. You will be encouraged to learn at your own pace, with teaching adapted to different experience levels, abilities and learning styles. You may choose to follow a tutor?set brief or develop your own botanical?inspired project.
All basic materials are provided, along with access to specialist tools and equipment. Visual and written handouts support your learning, with accessible formats available if needed. All learning resources are also provided electronically.
There is no formal homework, although your tutor may suggest ideas or research to support your project.
All basic materials are provided, along with access to specialist tools and equipment. Visual and written handouts support your learning, with accessible formats available if needed. All learning resources are also provided electronically.
There is no formal homework, although your tutor may suggest ideas or research to support your project.
Assessment and next steps
There is no formal assessment for this course. Instead, you will work with your tutor to identify and review your personal aims, focusing on developing your individual projects. You will receive ongoing one-to-one feedback, with opportunities to reflect on and share your work with peers. Your tutor will also support you in evaluating your progress and planning next steps for your practice. There is no expectation to complete work outside of class, though you may choose to continue developing your projects independently.
By the end of the course, you will have deepened your understanding of working with botanical themes, refined your technical skills, and gained greater confidence and independence in using specialist tools, materials and equipment.
After the course, you may wish to enrol for a further term to continue developing your skills, explore more complex techniques, or undertake more ambitious pottery projects. For more information, please visit our website or contact the 3D Art and Crafts Curriculum Manager at ArtsSchool@wmcollege.ac.uk.
By the end of the course, you will have deepened your understanding of working with botanical themes, refined your technical skills, and gained greater confidence and independence in using specialist tools, materials and equipment.
After the course, you may wish to enrol for a further term to continue developing your skills, explore more complex techniques, or undertake more ambitious pottery projects. For more information, please visit our website or contact the 3D Art and Crafts Curriculum Manager at ArtsSchool@wmcollege.ac.uk.
Tutor Profiles
Anna Maria Velardi – Ceramics, Ceramics Specialist Courses and Yoga Tutor
Anna is an experienced arts, education and mental health practitioner with over 25 years of working with children and adults across community, education and clinical settings. She is a trained ceramicist and yoga teacher, with a specialist interest in art psychotherapy and holistic approaches that support mental health, wellbeing and learning.
TEACHING AND LEARNER SUPPORT
Anna has extensive teaching experience in adult education, SEND and mental health settings. She uses a calm, inclusive and sensory-based approach to learning, helping learners build confidence, develop practical ceramics skills and support their wellbeing. Her sessions are tailored to individual needs, encouraging creativity, communication and self-expression.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND CREDENTIALS
- BA (Hons) Ceramics – Camberwell College of Arts
- Arts Psychotherapy Foundation – Goldsmiths, University of London
- Level 4 Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector
- 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (Merit), including research on trauma and polyvagal theory
- Over 15 years delivering ceramics teaching in adult education and mental health settings
PROFESSIONAL LINKS
Not currently using professional social media or online portfolios.
Anna is an experienced arts, education and mental health practitioner with over 25 years of working with children and adults across community, education and clinical settings. She is a trained ceramicist and yoga teacher, with a specialist interest in art psychotherapy and holistic approaches that support mental health, wellbeing and learning.
TEACHING AND LEARNER SUPPORT
Anna has extensive teaching experience in adult education, SEND and mental health settings. She uses a calm, inclusive and sensory-based approach to learning, helping learners build confidence, develop practical ceramics skills and support their wellbeing. Her sessions are tailored to individual needs, encouraging creativity, communication and self-expression.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND CREDENTIALS
- BA (Hons) Ceramics – Camberwell College of Arts
- Arts Psychotherapy Foundation – Goldsmiths, University of London
- Level 4 Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector
- 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (Merit), including research on trauma and polyvagal theory
- Over 15 years delivering ceramics teaching in adult education and mental health settings
PROFESSIONAL LINKS
Not currently using professional social media or online portfolios.
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