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April 30 - May 7
For this retreat we have invited Delft Blue ceramic painter Lia van Muijen to teach the essentials of Delft Blue painting techniques in the evenings.
During the day, wheel-throwing lessons are given by Gudrun Wilsterman, and in the evenings Lia teaches the Delft Blue technique. This part is optional for those who want it. You can also choose to spend the evenings throwing extra pieces instead of joining the painting sessions.
Learning Delft Blue Painting Techniques
Level: No drawing or painting experience is required.
The lessons begin with painting flat tiles. These tiles are already bisque-fired and will be fired again after decorating.
You choose a design from the available examples. This design is transferred onto your tile — or another bisque-fired ceramic piece available in the studio — by pouncing it with charcoal dust. This creates clear outlines on the surface.
After that, the decorations are applied by hand using very fine brushes, each shape requiring its own specific technique.
Water-based paint is used, allowing you to create different shades of blue by mixing and layering. This is how the characteristic Delft Blue look is achieved. The paint is a pigment mixture based on cobalt oxide, made according to centuries-old recipes. During the firing process, a chemical reaction transforms the paint into the deep, iconic Delft Blue tones.
Wheel-Throwing Lessons for Beginners
In week one, you learn the basics: wedging clay, centering, pulling walls, trimming, and drying.
In week two, you learn to throw higher forms with thinner, more even walls. This is where you make real progress — far more than you would with just a few weekly lessons.
At the end of the retreat, you select which pieces you want to have finished. Everything dries slowly, is then glazed, fired, and later shipped to you.
Because some pieces will already be ready for glazing, you can also choose to glaze a selection yourself, using any glaze available in the studio. Finished pieces can, of course, be taken home in your luggage.
The Goal / Expected Outcome
We work on throwing cylinders, forming bowls, and adding simple shapes and details — the foundation for making cups, bowls, and even a small vase.
After two weeks of intensive wheel-throwing, a beginner should have:
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A solid understanding of the key techniques: centering, opening, and pulling walls
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Practical experience with basic forms such as cylinders and bowls
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Familiarity with trimming and attaching handles (for cups/mugs)
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An introduction to simple decorative techniques
Your pieces won’t be perfect — that’s not the goal — but you will leave with real hands-on experience, a growing feel for the clay, and the confidence to continue practicing at home.
The teachers
Lia van Muijen.
Gudrun Wilsterman
Gudrun is the ideal teacher for beginners and intermediate turners.
She understands the challenges of learning to turn intimately and has made it her specialty to make technical steps as understandable and efficient as possible. Her approach is direct, clear, and surprisingly effective: many students are able to achieve centering within just half an hour—a skill that normally takes days or even weeks to master.
With her patience, precision, and genuine enthusiasm, Gudrun knows how to put every student at ease. Beginners feel seen and supported by her, and experience real progress in a short time. After just one week, you can expect a beautifully shaped bowl and cup, and often even that first vase of your own.
Because the guest instructor workshops require an advanced skill level, Gudrun teaches all classes for beginners and intermediate turners. She ensures that each student develops a solid technical foundation and can confidently progress to more complex forms and techniques.
April 30 - May 7: Turning and Delft Blue technique
Daily schedule:
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yoga - optional 7:00 -8:00
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breakfast 8:15 - 8:45
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class 9:00 - 14:30 (1 hour lunch break)
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2:30 PM free time
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5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Optional: Delft Blue painting or throwing
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7:30 pm dinner
What is included?
Painting Delft Blue
- Use of all materials
- 2 tiles to paint, can be washed and re-used
- 2 plates to paint
Other biscuit-fired pieces for painting can be purchased on site.
At the end of the workshop, you can purchase a painting set containing all the necessary materials: brushes, punch paper, punch tool, special eraser, ceramic paint, and biscuit-fired pieces.
Turn:
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Daily ceramic lessons
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All necessary materials
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Optionally one hour of gentle yoga every morning
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Breakfast, lunch and dinner, wine, snacks and refreshments, 2 x a restaurant visit
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An activity (hiking, truffle hunting, safari tour, beach visit (not the sunbeds), museum visit
To book
Below you can book this retreat and secure your spot. Please indicate which room you'd like to book. You can view the various rooms, their prices, and the cancellation policies under " Prices & Terms ." I hope to see you soon at Ceramicaza in the Dream House.
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