Slip Trails A dynamic approach to clay and slip with Dylan Bowen
A dynamic approach to clay and slip with Dylan Bowen. Dharamkot Studio with Atelier Lalmitti are bringing Dylan Bowen to India for the first time for this exclusive residential ceramic workshop with limited seats.
23-29 Oct 2026
6 days
All levels with basic clay skills
Dylan Bowen
Maximum 10
Dharamkot Studio, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
INR 85,350 + 18% taxes
INR 155,400 + 18% taxes
Private room, all materials, all meals, city tour and wellness sessions.
Firing and shipping charges are not included in the workshop price.
A six-day residential workshop in Dharamkot.
This workshop moves away from outcome-driven making and instead focuses on developing work through action, intuition, and responsiveness to material.
Rather than beginning with a fixed idea, participants are encouraged to work in the moment, follow the behaviour of clay and slip, and embrace unpredictability as part of the making process.
The workshop opens up a more fluid and expansive relationship with ceramics, one that prioritises exploration over perfection and process over final outcome.
Workshop Outline
Traditional and contemporary slipware methods using clay and coloured slips.
Expressive surface development through slip, sgraffito, feathering, and responsive mark-making.
Hand-building and assembling forms both on and off the wheel.
Developing work through action, intuition, and responsiveness to material instead of fixed outcomes.
About the Artist
Dylan Bowen is a renowned British ceramic artist known for his expressive approach to slip-decorated earthenware, where traditional slipware techniques meet spontaneity and movement.
Working from his studio near Oxford, his practice centres around fluid mark-making, intuitive processes, and the energy of making itself. Using a limited palette of slips and glazes, he creates platters, bowls, and sculptural forms that evolve through a balance of control and chance.
As a third generation slipware potter, his practice draws from historic ceramic traditions while remaining distinctly contemporary, focused less on fixed outcomes and more on the unfolding of the process.
Workshop Flow
The course focuses on the joy of making, encouraging you to create through action rather than following a fixed plan or preconceived idea.
The workshop begins with Dylan introducing simple hand-building techniques, encouraging learning through making. Short presentations and new methods spark experimentation and confidence.
As the process evolves, focus shifts to decorating with slip, sgraffito, and feathering. With guidance throughout, the experience opens into a relaxed, exploratory space for developing your own creative voice.
Workshop Schedule
Check in before 11 AM, settle in, visit the studio, meet other participants, and attend the first clay session from 4 PM to 7 PM.
Workshop days include studio sessions between 11 AM to 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
Breaks include a mix of city tour, hike, meditation, and sound bath sessions.
Check out at 11 AM after breakfast.
Stay, Meals & Location
Set above McLeod Ganj, Dharamkot is a small mountain village about 10 km from Dharamshala, surrounded by pine and cedar forests. The area is deeply influenced by Tibetan culture, shaped by the presence of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community based in McLeod Ganj.
The accommodation and studio are peaceful yet easily accessible, just a 5-minute walk from the village. Rooms include attached washrooms, Wi-Fi, power backup, hot water, a kettle, heater or fan, heating blanket, private balconies, and mountain views.
All meals are included as part of the workshop and are prepared fresh at the in-house cafe. The menu is vegetarian, with simple, nourishing food suitable for a residential creative retreat. Vegan and gluten-free options can be arranged on request.
Weather & Travel
October has comfortable daytime temperatures with crisp, clear skies. Evenings tend to be cooler, especially in the forested areas around the studio. Bring light layers for daytime and warmer clothing for evenings.
Dharamshala airport is the nearest airport, around 20 km or 50 minutes from the studio. Overnight AC semi-sleeper buses run from Delhi to Dharamshala, and Pathankot is the nearest railway station.
Studio & Practice
The studio is at the heart of the retreat. Located on the same premises as the accommodation, it allows an easy rhythm between rest and practice throughout the day.
Set amidst pine and cedar forests, the studio receives abundant natural light and maintains a quiet connection to the surrounding mountains while you work.
Beyond the retreat, the same studio is used for courses and longer programs, giving it a lived-in, working atmosphere. The space comfortably accommodates up to 15 participants across different programs, allowing everyone room to work at their own pace.
Good to Know
This workshop is suitable for beginners with basic skills in hand building or wheel throwing.
Intermediate to advanced potters, ceramic artists, and practitioners are welcome.
This is not a complete beginner pottery class; some prior experience with clay is expected.
Partners can accompany residents if mentioned on the application form. Extra charges are INR 1,600 + taxes per night including all meals.
The studio is a 5-minute walk from Dharamkot village and has network connectivity and high-speed Wi-Fi.
FAQs
Who is this workshop for?
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is designed for participants with prior experience in ceramics. It is best suited for intermediate to advanced practitioners interested in developing a more process-led approach to working with clay and slip.
Do I need wheel-throwing experience?
Do I need wheel-throwing experience?
It is important that you have some understanding and experience in wheel throwing. Most of the workshop focuses on hand-building and surface techniques.
What will I learn in this ceramic workshop?
What will I learn in this ceramic workshop?
Participants will explore slip trailing, surface decoration techniques such as sgraffito and feathering, and intuitive approaches to hand-building with wet clay. The focus is on process rather than fixed outcomes.
What materials are included?
What materials are included?
All essential materials are provided, including clay and coloured slips.
Will my pieces be fired and shipped?
Will my pieces be fired and shipped?
Firing and shipping charges are not included in the workshop price. Your work will be fired after the workshop. Shipping can be arranged at an additional cost, with details shared during the workshop.
Is accommodation included in the workshop fee?
Is accommodation included in the workshop fee?
Yes, residential participants are provided accommodation and meals as part of the workshop package.
How do I apply for this workshop?
How do I apply for this workshop?
This is a curated workshop with limited seats. To apply, share a short introduction and, if available, a portfolio of your recent work through the application form.
What is the cancellation policy?
What is the cancellation policy?
The booking amount is INR 30,000 per person and is non-refundable.