China Painting Today with Bradley Klem
February 6 & 7 - Enrollment Opens 12/4 @11AM!
15 spots left
Class Description
China painting is an ancient technique designed for ceramics ornamentation, originating, as the name suggests, in China during the Han Dynasty (200BCE - 220CE). The practice consists of mixing colored pigments with flux (fine powdered glass). It offers a distinctive approach to image making in ceramics, unfolding on fired surfaces through accumulation, re-vision, and repeated firing. This workshop frames China painting as both a historical practice and a contemporary mode of image-making, emphasizing image, pattern, and ornament as content. Through demonstrations and guided studio work, students will learn material preparation, brushwork, pigment behavior, and firing considerations specific to China painting. Emphasis will be placed on developing imagery that responds to form, surface, and conceptual intent. This workshop is designed for artists of all levels, whether you are new to ceramics, a painter interested in exploring new media, or a practicing ceramicist looking to expand your skills. Saturday, February 6 & Sunday February 7 from 10:30am - 4:30pm Day One: Introduction to China Painting & Image Development Explore China painting history, pigment mixing, brushwork, and color development through demonstrations and guided practice. An artist presentation will introduce contemporary approaches to imagery and ornament. Students experiment with image transfer, outlining, and mark-making on glazed ceramic surfaces, preparing their work for the initial cone 018 firing. Day Two: China Painting - Techniques & Studio Practice Review Day One work and firing results before exploring masking, red resist, sponge pouncing, color gradients, brushwork, layering, and ceramic decal application through instructor demonstrations. Students practice these techniques during guided studio sessions, developing color, pattern, and imagery on individual pieces. The workshop concludes with an informal critique, firing discussion, and resources for continued China painting practice. Bradley Klem is a Denver-based ceramic artist whose porcelain work explores environmental change, climate collapse, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Blending historical aesthetics with contemporary imagery, his work uses humor and irony to examine industry and consumerism. He holds an MFA from Penn State University and teaches ceramics at the University of Denver. Learn more at www.bradleyklem.com or @bradleyklemceramics
Upcoming Sessions
Policies
Refund Policy: - A refund (minus $20 processing fee) or credit in full will be granted if a cancellation request is received at least TWO WEEKS prior to the day of class - For cancellation requests made less than two weeks before the class start date, a credit (no refund) MAY be granted ONLY if your spot can be filled - If multi-day workshop, no refunds or credits are granted after attending the first day - Try Days or Workshops missed due to failure to attend will not be credited Picking Up Artwork: Pieces made in Try Days take a minimum of four weeks to fully complete (bisque and glaze firing). We will email you once everything is complete and is ready to be picked up, please check your spam folder just in case! In-person pick up is required, we do not ship.
Contact Us
Clayroom San Mateo
3050 South Delaware Street, San Mateo, CA, USA
(650) 638-8139
contact@clayroomsf.com