top of page
Large-scale ammonite fossil clay sculpture workshop in the Blended Monkey Studios & Gardens

2027-06-13 | Large Ammonite Fossil Sculpture Workshop | Blended Monkey Studios

£130.00Price

LARGE-SCALE AMMONITE FOSSIL CLAY SCULPTURE WORKSHOP

 

Sunday 13 June 10.00 - 4.00 pm

£130 including refreshments, lunch, all materials, use of equipment on the day, coloured slips, glazing, two firings of your piece, and full tuition.

 

This immersive full‑day workshop with our guest sculptor, Aimee, is designed to be beginner‑friendly, confidence‑building, and hugely rewarding — whilst offering plenty of scope for those with more experience too. Working on a larger scale can often feel more expressive and intuitive than smaller, fiddlier projects, and this workshop encourages you to really get hands‑on with clay, texture, and sculptural form.

 

You’ll begin by handling real ammonite fossils from Aimee’s personal collection — each millions of years old. You’ll observe first‑hand the incredible variety of ammonite forms, sizes, ridge patterns, and surface textures, as well as the contrasting colours and rock types they are embedded within. These natural compositions will provide rich inspiration for your own sculpture, ensuring every finished piece is unique and personal.

 

Your sculpture will be built around an internal supporting structure made from combustible materials. Aimee will guide you through constructing this armature, which forms a crucial part of the overall build. Finished sculptures will measure up to a maximum of 33 cm tall, modelled to ensure they fit safely into the kiln for firing.

 

Aimee will demonstrate how to prepare and compress clay slabs for strength before applying them over the internal structure, using strong joining techniques to establish a solid base form. You’ll then explore creating a variety of curled ammonite shapes, experimenting with different texturing methods to bring their iconic ridges to life. You’ll learn secure attachment methods, consider best placement for overall composition, and texture the rock base — exploring both natural rock surfaces and expressive carved marks.

  

Once your sculptural composition is complete, you’ll use a selection of coloured slips and a variety of application techniques to add tonal depth and hue to your finished piece, utilising the contrast between smooth and textured surfaces and exploring areas of light and shade during the decoration process. The sculptures will be left to dry before Louise fires them twice in the kiln. They will be left matt, just as ammonites appear in nature.


These large‑scale ammonite sculptures make striking indoor or outdoor pieces — real talking points with a strong presence and beautiful geological character.


Please don’t let the scale of the project put you off — this workshop has been carefully designed to be completely beginner friendly, with Aimee on hand to support you through every step of the process. It’s a genuinely exciting, expressive, and fun day, and you may be amazed by what you’re able to create by the end. The aim is to give you confidence working on a larger scale and to help you bring your ideas to life through bold sculptural clay work.


This LARGE-SCALE AMMONITE FOSSIL CLAY SCULPTURE WORKSHOP will be held in the peaceful setting of our Blended Monkey Studios & Gardens on the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border. 

 

Numbers are limited to ensure a calm, focused environment and plenty of individual tuition. 

 

This sculpture workshop is suitable for 16+. 

 

About a week before your workshop date, we'll e-mail you again with more details about parking etc.

Refreshments will be provided throughout the session - tailored to meet all dietary requirements.

 

This would make a fabulous CRAFTY GIFT for someone - so drop us a line and we can post out or email a complimentary personalised gift certificate for this experience🎁

 

The half-day workshop includes:

 

- Materials & use of equipment on the day

- Refreshments (tea/coffee/soft drinks/cake) & a lovely lunch - catering to all dietary requirements

- As we limit the number of people, you get to have some individual tuition and the maximum benefit from a day with no distractions

- Firing of your work

- Aimee provides aprons, but you may wish to wear clothing that you don't mind getting some clay on.

 

We also offer accommodation in the form of our Crafter's Retreat cabin subject to availability or we can advise of other local B&Bs.

Quantity

  • Booking, Cancellation & Refund Terms & Conditions

    • The purchaser of the workshop may cancel the workshop up to 4 weeks before the workshop date with a full refund.

    • If we need to cancel a workshop at short notice for reasons beyond our control, such as illness or mechanical breakdowns, the first option is to rearrange a mutually convenient date or receive a refund. In the event of cancellation for any reason, we are unable to reimburse travel, accommodation or any other expenses that you may incur in relation to the cancelled course.

  • Meet our Guest Tutor

    "Creativity has always been part of what makes me me, and I don’t remember a time without it. My background spans fine art, mixed media and textiles, before I went on to gain a First Class BA (Hons) Degree in Design Crafts, specialising in sculptural ceramics — a journey that’s given me a diverse creative perspective.

    I’ve developed a well‑practised, technical ceramic skill set that allows me to make almost anything; I love a challenge and I’m always creating something new. With a natural affinity for clay — my brain thinks in 3D — I’m particularly inspired by botanical forms and textures, animals (with a special interest in cats!) and playful character design. I love sharing my skills and supporting others as they bring their creative ideas to life. Clay is the ideal material for exploring possibilities: wonderfully malleable yet structurally strong, with limitless potential. Every piece is unique, taking on its own personality and carrying the unmistakable mark of its maker. Using traditional handbuilding techniques with a modern twist, I teach how to create structurally sound ceramic forms with care and intention. I believe technique supports creativity, and each piece deserves the time, attention and love needed to give it the best possible chance of surviving the kiln gods.

    Throughout my workshops, I demonstrate and explain the key concepts behind a successful build, while encouraging playful experimentation and personal expression.

    My sculptural work and ceramic workshops sit under my @aimeesculpts umbrella. You may also recognise me from @nachoandtikisstudio, which represents the mixed‑media and illustrative side of my creative practice.

    I look forward to welcoming you into the studio and supporting you on your creative project."

bottom of page