Ceramic Review: Masterclass with Adrian Bates

'With a background in graphics and teaching, working with ceramics might have been seen as an afterthought, but in fact it has become what I think of as my first ‘proper’ career.'
In this video, Adrain Bates takes us step-by-step through the processes he uses to create one of his organic Möbius Deconstructed forms
Discover how Adrian makes his work in the full step-by-step masterclass inside CR 301 (January/February 2020). You can order current and back issues of the magazine from ceramicreview.com.
Film by Layton Thompson for Ceramic Review

[@inarudel-valle3579]

I really really enjoy this type of art in ceramics. The play on of movement incorporated into pieces is amazing!

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you

[@CONEHEADDK]

I love when artists are confident enough to share their secrets. I remember a teacher saying something nice about something I had made, and asking how, but stopping her self with: "no, of course you won't tell how..".

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks

[@FatScrub]

Doubt it, nice story tho 😆

[@CONEHEADDK]

@@FatScrub Your thoughts tell a lot about your self, and nothing about the person, you are assuming things about.

[@FatScrub]

@@CONEHEADDK cuck?

[@CONEHEADDK]

@@FatScrub Nope - competent as hell. At very many things.. Maybe a friend can tell you, how it feels...

[@sallyedmundson9002]

Making it look so easy. It's absolutely mesmerising.

[@kimforsell8122]

Thanks Adrian for all the great bits of advice that you share thru out the video - invaluable! I won’t get started on the form, flow and delicate shapes you produce , just… wow.

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks Kim, much appreciated

[@jesika900]

This idea was in my mind long time ago and now thanks to you I can to know how make it reality. Many thanks

[@lydiahicks5098]

Really appreciate your sharing this and talking about the time it takes. I tend to rush everything rather than enjoy the process.

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks. Super important when you're spending so much time in the process…

[@kathleenfullerton2873]

These are works that inspire joy. Thank you.

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks; glad you like the work.

[@julieroberts2110]

The amazing creativity of a confident artist. It makes Life so full of promise when an artist smiles gently at the idea of a flamboyant piece of art.

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you.

[@candlelight2977]

Thank you so much ..you have sensitive feeling ..that is why you make this marvellous piece..

[@ninapesner3434]

Absolutely gorgeous, absolutely delightful, a wonderful learning experience. Deep appreciation Adrian!

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you.

[@kinw2436]

So very grateful for your clear ultra-sensitive sharing of all aspects of the process. Thoroughly engaged from Chicago, Illinois USA

[@MsManofClay]

Many thanks

[@meredithpottery]

What am absolute joy to see and to watch. Thank you and happy holidays to you.

[@MsManofClay]

Many thanks.

[@heathersweet-moon332]

Interesting video thank you Adrian. Such a beautiful flowing piece

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks heather

[@helend222]

Excellent narrative . Wonderful result. Thank you.

[@MsManofClay]

Many thanks.

[@marinad3708]

Really enjoyed this video and his incredible creativity to form this piece

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you.

[@ashawalker5986]

Inspiring work and seeing how it's done helps appreciate it even more! Thanks for sharing

[@MsManofClay]

You’re welcome.

[@katiakatiakat]

So beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks; you’re welcome!

[@svenlundergard1]

Inspiring to say the least. Thank you for sharing your craft. Excellence!

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks

[@rodrigogoguiroae5598]

Great video, Adrian, the whole process is fascinating, thanks for sharing your work and tecnic in a so didatic way, hangs

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks. My pleasure…

[@staceybrooks5047]

This work is brilliant, thoughtful, investigative, organic and spiritual!

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you.

[@Kluslijn]

You are sharing your techniques, that is amazing, you also could keep them as mysterial secrets!

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks. Happy to share!

[@Petielement5]

Absolutely stuning

[@MsManofClay]

thank you.

[@MrDJdo]

That looks really cool

[@GrowthGuided]

What a gorgeous piece

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks - glad you like it.

[@mosseyw]

Amazing piece of sculpture 👍

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks.

[@michellemeneguzzo793]

Thank you for this video so interesting.

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you.

[@muffy1370]

Beautiful!

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you.

[@taleyajohnson1867]

wow this video is so captivating!

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you (& many thanks to Ceramic Review for organising it).

[@cpetati1]

Wonderful!! Thank you...

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks. You're welcome!

[@aeae7777]

Beautiful piece 😍

[@MsManofClay]

Many thanks.

[@davidjohnson7508]

Brilliant. Thank you.

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks. You're welcome!

[@annwiseone]

Beautiful pieces!! Thank you for sharing the name of the clay you use! I've been looking for a substitute for sculpting in paper clay. I've used it for years but I don't like working with the mold in the clay.

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you

[@Ak-ff5un]

This is so satisfying 😊

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks.

[@janetsmith]

I am captivated by the challenge of this. I am working on designing "supports" for orchids which are free and open (as they are in nature) and I would like to experiment with something like this möbius like shape. You mentioned raku clay - is this preferable to stoneware in terms of plasticity and workability?

[@vulcanswork]

In the video, he mentions temperature and the word stoneware. That makes me think it is stoneware. Hope this helps.

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks. This particular clay has a very wide firing range and super warp resistance…

[@acgacg4548]

What a wonderful, brilliant mind and creative hands. I wish he was my neighbor.

[@MsManofClay]

🙏

[@8schopra]

What a beauty💚💚👌👌👌

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks.

[@Pherine1]

Wow! fabulous x

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you.

[@bentleygt3716]

beautiful.

[@noshadhaghshenas4876]

Increadible!

[@user-ux8zt7je8t]

ממש מדהים כול הכבוד .

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you

[@TC-rv6sz]

Amazing technical prowess 🥹

[@woolypuffin392]

Totally in love!

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks.

[@ocean8434]

Is the clay body stoneware , porcelain, or some other ? Really enjoyed this and the way you handle the clay.

[@johnstride9642]

Ocean Raku clay....a stoneware clay

[@MsManofClay]

Ashraf Hanna raku clay (made by Scarva) fired to stoneware.

[@upgraddeupgradde2364]

Most excellent

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you.

[@kristine8338]

What about adding coloration onto the two different sides? Airy and yet solid and stable. A truely go with the flow.

[@shpensive]

It's beautiful

[@MsManofClay]

It is isn't it?!

[@SusanSBradley]

WOW!!!

[@AvionOrr]

Awesome 😎

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks!

[@glenbartholomew1058]

Ever since 8th science class I’ve liked playing with möbius strips. Now I see they are works of art too. I’m curious though, since he didn’t talk about glazing, I assume he doesn’t. So I wonder is that black möbius piece in the background glazed, stained, or does it have slip over it?

[@MsManofClay]

Black versions are glazed. Thanks for your interest.

[@MrsNoji]

Wow!!

[@MsManofClay]

!

[@ameliec7477]

Amazing. Where did he get that boxwood burnish tool?

[@MsManofClay]

My local pottery suppliers CTM

[@ceciliagao4493]

gracias

[@MsManofClay]

You're welcome.

[@atoussam6120]

Superb👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻🙋🏻‍♀️

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you.

[@jpcolindesign517]

I know that's a porcelain clay body, but I wonder which specific type of porcelain he uses. Sounds like he goes slightly past leather hard, but I am curious how much past leather hard he goes, and how long it took before he found that point just before the clay would crack. Minor points, but they make a lot of difference in both working the clay and the outcomes.

[@MsManofClay]

Ashraf Hanna raku clay fired to stoneware (not porcelain). Timing and clay preparation is everything with clay!

[@jorgeenrriquenavarromorea1621]

Could you please tell me if you bake that particular piece, or only at room temperature.

[@MsManofClay]

Stoneware fired (1260 degrees C)

[@anaclaudiacostalopes8299]

Achei fantástico...vou tentar fazer, gosto de desafios, obrigada 😘

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you.

[@jessicahagen276]

Gorgeous

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you

[@yesaididit329]

Ive always wondered how they fire such pieces. Or is it some kind of air dry clay?

[@adrianomaly1760]

At 0:32 he says how he fires the work at 1200 degrees C once it has air dried, so the piece is vitrified

[@gnarbeljo8980]

​@@adrianomaly1760 no he said he uses raku clay and fires it unglazed to 1200 degrees to fully vitrified but there's nothing to suggest he doesn't fire twice as per usual.

[@declanloudon8930]

It's a clay Mobius strip, pretty cool

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks.

[@fuertesoy]

What kind of clay you use, again? I couldn't make up the name. I am a wood carver and I want to try my hand at ceramic. What kind of clay do you recommend for sculpting.

[@MsManofClay]

Ashraf Hanna raku clay (made by Scarva in Ireland - PF520). Thanks for your interest.

[@geeknee551]

my favorite 2d structure.

[@MsManofClay]

3D?

[@Ak-ff5un]

And even interesting!

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks!

[@MsManofClay]

Thank you.

[@_b_l_x_c_k_]

I wonder if clay can be used to make works like this. I am actually working with clay for my school project and im looking to do something almost like this with movement slabs like this but it was a pain :(( i didnt even know if that is possible but i cant like just stop mid way

[@MsManofClay]

I hope you’ve continued working with clay - it is incredibly versatile!

[@hodaalhamdan]

Would you please know this clay of any made material?

[@MsManofClay]

Ashraf Hanna raku clay (made by Scarva in Ireland - PF520). Thanks for your interest.

[@nadiaveronicahalboth5480]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@shaash5236]

Great. I can’t catch the name of the clay at the beginning though. Can anyone tell me what it’s called? Atraf hanarafi ? Something like that Thanks

[@richardwilks4934]

ashraf hanna pf 520 from valentines clays

[@shaash5236]

ThankYou

[@richardwilks4934]

@@shaash5236 The clay body has 52 % molochite, therefore you can push the clay to its limits structurally and thermatically

[@shaash5236]

Sounds good. Thanks :-)

[@jorgeenrriquenavarromorea1621]

Could you please tell me the raw material to make this type of laminate...

[@MsManofClay]

It’s clay!

[@izzatvaid2733]

Hi Adrien you do amazing art thank you for sharing may I request you your expert advice how stick the clay different sizes and shape on top of one other like the one you have on your wall thank you for your time

[@MsManofClay]

Sticking clay together needs moisture, but joining shapes together means they need to be stiff enough to hold their shape… good luck with your making!

[@EllePlowPlow]

He makes it look so easy. 😫😫

[@jorgeenrriquenavarromorea1621]

Is it necessary to bake the piece...

[@MsManofClay]

Oh yes, they’re stoneware fired. Almost impossibly fragile if not fired!

[@themis3396]

Could you do this with porcelain?

[@MsManofClay]

Possibly (though I’d personally be reluctant!). Porcelain paper clay might be best.

[@happylife9629]

Name off the roller plz

[@amazonasdecoracoes4913]

O que é o material? é argila?

[@MsManofClay]

Clay - raku clay fired to stoneware

[@leblancsopjie3811]

Bonjour j aime. La terre c est de la porcelaine ?,,, merci 😅

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks. Raku Clay Scarva PF520 stoneware.

[@bluto212]

Wait what is he taking about?

[@claudiaionescu1661]

✳️ ✳️ ✳️ ✳️ ✳️

[@leblancsopjie3811]

Super

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks.

[@leblancsopjie3811]

Bye m’y name is Sophie he French la terre porcelaine ????

[@MsManofClay]

Raku Clay Scarva PF520 stoneware.

[@Gstv76]

I appreciate his skills but that thing is ugly.

[@sarajinha7223]

Your sense of style is not very good.

[@TheTylerJWalker]

What the hell does your comment contribute? If your are gonna say that at least dig deep and say why you don't like it, WHAT you dont like about it? What would you do different? How would you do it differently? How would you achieve that? What does it trigger in you that is offputting? I believe that I would much rather a piece of work illicit something in me that makes me viscerally dislike it, make me HATE IT than feel nothing about it at all. It is ugly TO YOU! It is pulling something out of YOU. TAKE THAT AS A CHALLENGE DONT JUST PUT DOWN HIS WORK AS A FAILURE TAKE UP THE REIGNS AND TAKE IT AS A CHALLENGE THATS BEEN ISSUED TO YOU AS AN ARTIST. IT LIT A SPARK. THAT PIECE WAS FOR HIM. HE MADE IT BECAUSE SOMETHING IN HIM SPARKED IT. HE DOESN'T CARE THAT YOU THINK ITS UGLY BECAUSE HE PROBABLY MADE A SHOTLOAD OF MONEY OFF OF IT AND PEOPLE FILMING MASTERCLASSES ABOUT HIS WORK. YOU'RE JUST SOME RANDOM TROLL ON THE INTERNET TALKIN SHIT. SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? JUST TALK SHIT? OR BE INSPIRED?

[@kathleenfullerton2873]

I believe you are mistaken, look again.

[@MsManofClay]

Luckily we're all different, so what appeals to some doesn't to others…

[@noshadhaghshenas4876]

Its wonderfull 🩵

[@MsManofClay]

Thanks