Masterclass ‘Mishima’ with Jeanne Bonnefoy-Mercuriali – 10, 11 & 12 April ’26
450,-
“Mishima” is a unique, detailed decoration technique that’s all about clean lines and bold graphics. Through sketching, experimenting, and eventually creating a piece using the coil technique, you’ll get to explore the fun of engraving and playing with color and pattern.
Aantal plaatsen: 6
This handbuilding workshop is scheduled on 10, 11 and 12th of April from 10am to 17pm.
This workshop is given in English. Knowledge of clay is an advantage.
Course Overview
The goal of this “Mishima” course is to help you learn and fully understand this traditional technique. You will start by testing out different samples and learning how to make and apply colored slibs (liquid clay). These trial runs will give you space to play, get creative, and open up new ideas for your final piece. You will learn to engrave the clay, fill in the grooves at just the right moment, and then scrapeaway the surface to reveal your design. Each step requires a good feel for how the clay behaves.
We will also explore how to match decoration with form. How do you translate a flat drawing onto a curved surface? You’ll do some sketching first to build up your ideas and get a feel for your design before moving on to build your final piece using the coil method. This slow, hands-on process is a great way to really engage with your design and understand how shapes come together.
The final challenge will be applying your Mishima design to a three-dimensional piece, adapting your movements to suit the curves and contours of the form. The joy of this process is watching your engraved design come to life. Throughout the course, you’ll also learn how to plan and organize your work so that shaping and decorating flow naturally together—balancing what you want to do with the practical side
of working with clay.
Included:
- tools&clay
- water, coffee and tea
- bisque firing
To bring:
- apron
- sketchbook and pencil
- lunch
After earning a diploma in pottery, Jeanne Bonnefoy-Mercuriali headed to Yemen to learn the coil-building technique directly from the potters of Sanaa. She later practiced this method during her time in Palestine and Oman. It was in Oman that she first started experimenting with ‘Mishima’ decoration, drawing inspiration from traditional basket-weaving styles and developing her own rich, graphic style. Her work blends traditional craftsmanship with a more sculptural, artistic feel—each piece reflecting the places she’s lived and worked.