Alberto Bustos all the way from Catalonia Spain is teaching us unique techniques like 'launch' where we make textured slabs, filaments, textured blocks using pigments, while enabling us to tell stories of hope through our pieces, from the most absolute freedom and improvisation.
Dates 25th October to 29th October 2026
Slow Pottery Studio Location Velanga Orchard, Andhra Pradesh, India
Ceramic Artist / Facilitators Alberto Bustos, Catalonia, Spain
Level All Levels Welcome
Duration 3 Days
Firing One firing with all 8 students pots. No guaranteed number of pots due to the varying size of the pots.
Studio Hours & Materials
All days 10:30 am to 5:00pm (This includes teaching, supervision and practice on your own)
Optional self practice in the studio 5:30pm to 8pm
All materials will be provided
The Intensive
“Self-taught as I am, I never dreamt that my passion and admiration for Ceramics
would turn into my way of life, would give meaning to my life. It may well be that my inborn attraction to nature pushed me down to the ground so as to be fused with earth, our true essence. Through “natuRareza” I submerge myself into the vegetal Psyche in order to find out those tortured feelings, product of the deterioration of the environment that we humans habitually cause. My only wish is that my modelling goes in deeply into human sensitivity to revert the harm we are inflicting on ourselves”
The main objective of the workshop is to model the clay directly with our hands,
without tools. In this way we will be able to communicate directly with the clay and
transmit our feelings.
- With the technique of "launch" we will make textured slabs. Also square, flat and
rectangular filaments.
- Creation of stone textures using pigmented cookies.
- Application of coloring pigments and glaze, powder and liquid, on the wet clay to do
only one firing.
- We will discover how all these techniques can not only be applied to sculptures.
- We can also adapt them to the functional ceramic style.
In this workshop I want to tell stories of hope with our pieces, from the most
absolute freedom and improvisation, without obsessing with technique.
Schedule
Day 1
Video presentation. Trajectory. Technical issues. Questions.
Construction of plates without mechanical means. Throwing technique.
Application of colouring stains mixed with transparent matt powder glaze with a
strainer and a brush to generate a double texture.
Realisation of several pieces applying the previous processes.
Explanation of the modelling of square filaments by the throwing technique.
Application of colouring stains with transparent glaze in liquid with a toothbrush on
raw clay.
Stoneware powder texture technique.
Loading the kiln with the pieces made for drying.
Day 2
Presentation of photos on powder cracking techniques and stone textures.
Explanation of stony texture with pieces of pigmented cookies.
Discussion on the use of other organic materials in said texture; macaroni, sugar
cubes, etc.
Construction of a cube using the technique of plates from the previous day and the
texture of cookies. Assembly by pressure and hit using two woods.
Explanation of the modelling of flat filaments by the throwing technique.
Application of colouring stains with transparent glaze in liquid with a toothbrush on
raw clay. Also powder on wood.
Assembly of filaments in the piece made.
Firing
Stone texture blocks with vegetal elements
Day 3
Presentation of photos on rectangular filament techniques.
Explanation of the modelling of rectangular and flat filaments with the throwing
technique.
We will use a wooden cylinder to build different sculptural or functional pieces.
We will apply the colouring stains mixed with the transparent matt powder glaze on
wood and with a brush.
Possible variations of the construction technique with multiple cylinders and/or
quadrangular wooden slats.
Opening of the kiln and discussion about the results obtained.
Slow Pottery Studio Facilities & Environment
The Slow Pottery studio is situated in Velanga Orchard, surrounded by mango trees. Our focus on natural light and airflow creates a minimal, inspiring space for our students. The local Kerala tile roof and glass tiles provide shade and brightness, even in the hottest months.
We have an electric wheel for each student, one electric kiln, a small kitchenette with unlimited freshly ground coffee, plenty wedging tables to spread wide with projects along with a restful chai spot to catch a break during long work hours. Ample shelves, stoneware clay, all materials required for each intensive is a given.
Hoping the studio fosters inspiring intensives and nurtures a space where creativity, ideas, and positive energy flourish.
Farm Stay & Accommodation - Velanga Orchard
Velanga Orchard is located in Andhra Pradesh in a village known as Jambuneradipalli, a mango orchard, skirting a reserve forest at the foot of a hill with a couple of lakes nearby. Surrounded by shrub forests endowed with over a 100 species of birds and animals.
The Stay
- We have individual cottages for single occupancy, a shared accommodation for double occupancy.
- The cottages are built using vernacular design, local material and vintage aesthetics. The space is surrounded by neem, coconut, teak trees, under the canopies of mango trees, with the hill at the back and lush green all around.
Single Occupancy Private Cottage
Living space: Single bed with a side table, a study table and chair, Storage space for your belongings, with some décor elements.
Kitchenette: Kettle, hot plate, basic utensils, mini fridge, a clay water dispenser, basic cutlery.
Private bath & small patio
No air conditioners
Our common space for students has a laundry room for DIY Laundry, a dining where all meals including evening snacks will be provided, all day coffee & tea stations, a hang out space, library/study.
*The design of furniture varies in all cottages.
Double Occupancy Shared Cottage
Living space: Two Single beds with a side table, a study table and chair, two storage space for your belongings, with some décor elements.
Kitchenette: Kettle, hot plate, basic utensils, mini fridge, a clay water dispenser, basic cutlery.
Attached bath & small patio for two.
No air conditioners
Our common space for students has a laundry room for DIY Laundry, a dining where all meals including evening snacks will be provided, all day coffee & tea stations, a hang out space, library/study.
Fees
Inclusive of the course, stay, all meals, farm activities, firings, materials, tax
Double Occupancy Shared Cottage - Rs.1,09,415/-
Single Occupancy Private Cottage - Rs.1,23,565/-
To Register
Write to us at hello@slowpottery.com mentioning the following details and I'll get back to you within one working day.
- Name & contact number
- The Intensive you wish you book.
- Accommodation Type
- Level of experience in pottery
- Any notes you'd like to add
If you have any further questions or inquiries, would like to schedule a call, write to me at hello@slowpottery.com with your questions & contact number (optional) and I'll get back to you within one working day.
To Book Your Slot
Once you've sent a registration email, we take 50% of the fees to book your slot. The remaining payment to be made by the 15th December 2025.
Cancellation Policy
- If you cancel before and on the 1st December 2025, we will provide you with a 100% refund.
- If you cancel between the 2nd December to 15th December 2025, we deduct 50% of the total fees as cancellation fees and refund you the remaining paid amount.
- Post 15th December 2025, we will not be providing any refund.
- If your case of medical emergency informed at-least a week in advance, we can consider rescheduling the course (upon providing proof) Refund is not possible. Less than a week, we will not be able to help you.
- Due to any reason, you have to leave during the course, we won't be able to give you a refund or reschedule.
- We follow this policy without any exceptions.
- We take three to four weeks to process the refund.
Hope to see you soon!