We’re delighted to welcome Hannah Simpson for a two-day masterclass exploring coil-building, surface texture and expressive sculptural forms.

This workshop is designed for participants looking to develop hand-building techniques while creating their own Monster-inspired ceramic sculpture. Across the two days, Hannah will guide students through her approach to transforming thoughts, feelings and ideas into playful, characterful forms for the home.

What You’ll Learn

Through demonstrations, drawing exercises, and hands-on making, participants will explore a range of processes central to Hannah’s practice, including:

• Design development: Creating Monster-inspired drawings and translating ideas into clay

• Coil building: Building expressive sculptural forms using hand-building techniques

• Form & movement: Exploring abstract shapes with energy, gesture and personality

• Surface texture: Adding detail, texture, and character to ceramic sculptures

• Refinement & finish: Strengthening structure and resolving forms to a high standard

The workshop will begin with a short presentation from Hannah, where she will share her work, discuss how she began working with ceramics and talk about her journey to establishing Hannah Simpson Studio.

Students will be encouraged to experiment with form and texture, developing Monsters that feel expressive, humorous, and full of character. There will be individual guidance and group discussion throughout the workshop, supporting each participant in creating their own finished sculpture, ready to be dried and glazed at a later date.

About the Artist

Hannah Simpson is a London-based ceramic artist and founder of Hannah Simpson Studio, established in 2020. Her work centres around hand-built sculptures and homewares, particularly her signature “Monster” characters.

The Monsters are playful, expressive forms that transform difficult thoughts and emotions into humorous, approachable companions for the home. Through coil building, an intricate and time-intensive making process, Hannah embraces ceramics as a practice of patience, resilience, and care.

Each piece reflects her belief in creativity as a therapeutic outlet, bringing joy, comfort, and a sense of control into everyday life.