Palette Workshop
Palette Workshop
Create your own artist tools — a handmade palette and painted cup
Spend a relaxing weekend at Sylvan Clayworks creating something beautiful and useful for your studio. In this 4 hour workshop, artists will hand-build a custom ceramic palette and paint a bisque-fired cup using underglaze techniques. It’s a calm, creative escape designed for painters, illustrators, and makers who want to connect their craft to clay.
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Hand-build a ceramic artist palette — perfect for watercolor, gouache, or acrylic paints.
Paint a bisque cup using colorful underglazes and brushes provided.
Learn glazing techniques and explore surface design in a laid-back, guided setting.
Enjoy light refreshments and conversation with other artists and makers.
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All clay, tools, and underglazes provided
One-on-one instruction and demonstration
Firing and clear glazing of finished pieces
Drinks and snacks throughout the weekend
A cozy, creative studio environment
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Class Details
Dates: Saturday (select your weekend at checkout)
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM
Duration: 4 hours total
Skill Level: All levels welcome
Location: Sylvan Clayworks Private Studio, East Nashville, TN
Class Size: Limited to 12 participants
Price: $225 per guest
What to Bring
Comfortable clothing suitable for working with clay
Any brushes or reference materials you love using in your own art
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A finished ceramic artist palette ready for everyday use
A painted bisque cup fired and glazed for pickup in 2–3 weeks
New surface design techniques and a calm sense of creative renewal
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Hour 1 · Welcome & Introduction
Arrive, settle in with Nespresso or tea and light snacks
Short introduction from Sarah about the purpose and flow of the day
Demonstration: hand-building basics, rolling slabs, and shaping palettes
Begin creating your own ceramic palette
Hour 2 · Finishing & Texturing Palettes
Refine palette shape and texture
Add well dividers or personal design marks
Discussion on surface finishing and glaze options
Set palettes aside to dry for bisque firing
Break (15 minutes)
Refreshments, music, open conversation, Lunch is not provided
Hour 3 · Painting the Cup
Select a pre-bisqued cup to decorate
Demonstration: underglaze painting and layering techniques
Paint your own design — inspired by your painting style or glaze colors
Hour 4 · Glaze Demo & Wrap-Up
Instructor glazing overview and Q&A
Review firing timeline and pickup/shipping options
Closing circle: reflections, photos, and sharing finished work-in-progress
Included Materials
Clay, tools, bisque cup, underglazes, and tools
Light snacks + drinks
All firing and glazing
A calm, creative environment
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This workshop is designed for artists, painters, and creative souls who want to slow down and explore clay as part of their artistic process.
Perfect for you if you:
~ Love painting, illustration, or design and want to make your own custom ceramic tools
~ Crave a weekend of creativity and calm surrounded by like-minded makers
~ Want to connect with other artists while exploring texture, color, and form
~ Appreciate handmade materials and the joy of creating something functional and beautiful
~ Have never worked with clay before but are curious to try — or you’re an experienced ceramicist wanting a light, creative reset
No prior clay experience is needed—just a willingness to get a little messy and let your creativity lead the way.
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✹ Local pickup: You will be emailed when your item is ready and can schedule a pickup time.
✹ Due to the size of the vessels produced, shipping is not an option
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✹ Full refund if canceled up to 30 days before class date.
✹ 50% refund or rebooking (if available) up to 15 days prior.
✹ No refund or rebooking within 15 days of class.