Meet our tutors - David Richardson

Meet our talented Pottery tutor David Richardson, who started his journey in pottery when he studied sculpture at Liverpool Polytechnic, followed by 35 years of model and mould making through his own company CP Ceramics. From 1994 to 2005 David made and sold a range of decorative terracotta gardenware globally and at Chelsea and Hampton Court flower shows. From large scale tableware to figurative sculpture, David has made many models and moulds for other potters, artists and designers. In the last few years, he has made moulds for Grayson Perry as part of his C4 'Art Club’ show that are available to buy at the museum exhibition shops which accompany the touring exhibition.

David enjoys sharing his wealth of experience with his students when teaching for Kent Adult Education. He says: “Teaching gives me a chance to interact with potters who use my moulds to interpret their designs. It’s always eye opening to see what learners come up with and thrilling to see the looks on their faces when successful items emerge from the kiln.

I’m very keen to see illustrations and diagrams from students at the beginning of a project, as this will ultimately help with its success. I teach all kinds of slip casting processes from hollow cast vases, bowls and lidded pots, through to core cast flatware such as plates and handles. It will also be possible to work in other pottery techniques such as hand building and throwing, as well as learning various glazing techniques.”

His biggest inspiration is his wife and practicing potter, Kate Schuricht who specialises in slip cast stoneware and Raku ware. He says: “She has recently taken part in a group raku show at Contemporary Ceramics in Bloomsbury and sells at galleries all around the UK and has even exhibited in Korea, Japan and USA. I am occasionally employed to help open the raku kiln when it’s white hot so that the pots can be removed.”

David’s slip casting courses involve using more than 30 different moulds so learners can choose to make a new item each week and enjoy applying colour and decoration right from the start. He says: “My approach to making in clay is very practical with frequent demonstrations backed up by illustrated notes. I believe that there should be nothing to fear in the process of slip casting, as it requires a moderate amount of skill but a great deal of thought and planning.”

You can view David’s work on his website here.