Porcelain Masters – From a Plaster Model to a Porcelain House

This autumn, at the Rog Center, we are focusing on porcelain – a beautiful, demanding, and expressive material.

French designer Aurélie Vrignon will lead an intensive five-day masterclass at the Rog Centre, guiding participants through the entire process of creating a plaster model and multi-part mold, and presenting her work with cast porcelain, which she has been using in her practice for over 10 years.

The process of working with plaster models will be demonstrated through the creation of unique porcelain houses. Each participant will design a simple plaster house model based on a cube or square, and then continue with the creation of a multi-part mold. This process offers an in-depth understanding of both the challenges and advantages of mass production in ceramics. Once the molds are complete, the workshop will delve into the preparation of the casting compound—casting porcelain. Each participant will cast their own porcelain house, and will be able to multiply the casts to create a complete Advent village. These delicate houses will remain hollow, transforming them into Christmas decorations that can be illuminated from within or displayed as festive architectural objects.

Special feature:

We will keep two casts of each mold for a joint presentation – the resulting products will decorate the Christmas tree in the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia in December. You can take your plaster model and multi-part mold home with you.

What will you learn?

During the course, you will learn the entire process of professional porcelain casting through five sessions – from initial modeling to final casting:

Day 1 – Model making

We begin with a presentation of the technique and prepare a plaster mold (base: cube or block) from which the model will be carved.

• Presentation of program leader Aurélie Vrignon and her brand L’Atelier du Blanc
• Presentation of participants
• Overview of the weekly program: modeling, carving, molding, porcelain preparation, and casting
• Preparation of the mold for casting plaster for model making (shape and size are specified; maximum possible dimensions: 6 × 6 × 8 cm) and casting plaster for the model
• Lunch break – the first lunch is included in the price and is intended for getting to know the master class team
• Presentation of the principle of draft angles or draft inclination. And understanding that the model can be removed from the mold without any problems
• Making and finishing the first phase of model design

The models will be left in the drying room overnight so that work can continue smoothly the next day.

Day 2 – Decorative carving of the model

• Presentation of techniques and options for working with plaster models, discussion and corrections regarding the continuation of work:
• dimensions, position, and shape of carved details (doors, windows, decorative elements, etc.)
• hollowing out plaster for shallow relief
• discussion on the shape and location of the opening for pouring clay
• Design and production of the model; decorative carving
• Break
• Discussion on models and checking extraction angles
• Demonstration of separator application (coating the model)
• Discussion of mold preparation and calculation of material consumption

Models must be completed by the end of the day. Participants may stay until 8 p.m. if anyone wishes to make models outside the scheduled course time.

Day 3 – Multi-part mold without dead corners (Saturday, 27 September, 10.00 - 16.00)

Mold production and finishing

• Applying the separator and preparing the first part of the mold
• Break
• Checking joints and grooves; applying separator and preparing the second part of the mold

The mold will be dried in a drying room to ensure controlled and rapid drying.

Day 4 – Understanding different types of molds

Participants analyze a selected, prepared object for making their mold; demonstration of mold preparation with breaking

• Exercise in molding existing objects (teapots, tin cans, vegetables, or your own creations)

Each participant brings 2–3 objects on which the extraction angles can be marked with a marker pen

• Introduction to more complex molds and model placement
• Break
• Mold preparation
• Pouring porcelain into molds (even if they are not dry) for the purpose of cleaning the molds

The mold will not be completed by the end of the day; the aim is for participants to acquire knowledge that they can use in their own practice.

* Additional day – pouring porcelain into molds

Participants will have the opportunity to come and make additional porcelain castings.

Practical information

Course dates:
September 25, 26, 27 & 29, and October 8, 2025
Time: 10:00–16:00 (on October 8, open studio between 10:00 and 20:00)
Location: Glass & Ceramics Lab, Center Rog

Level of experience:
This masterclass is intended for advanced participants already experienced in working with ceramics.

Does the course count as training?

By attending, you will complete the training Ceramics 1 – Handbuilding, Slab Roller, and Potter’s Wheel and Plaster Workshop, which grants you independent access to the lab equipment.

About the mentor:
Aurélie Vrignon is a French designer specializing in porcelain casting. Through her brand L’Atelier du Blanc, she creates handmade fine porcelain objects in small series, blending contemporary design with traditional Limoges techniques. Learn more: latelierdublanc.com

Payment in two installments

For courses priced over €100, payment in two installments is possible. You can pay at the Made in Rog store or via pro forma invoice, if you contact us at tajnistvo@center-rog.si.

We offer 30 % discount to students. For more information regarding student discount write to steklokeramika@center-rog.si.

***

Participants are kindly asked to gather 15 minutes before the scheduled start in the entrance lobby of Center Rog. Please store your personal belongings in the lockers provided by the mentor. Punctuality is important – late arrivals disturb the workflow, and in case of delay, we unfortunately cannot guarantee entry to the lab.

The program will be conducted in Slovenian, unless otherwise stated.
In case of cancellation, we will notify you two days before the planned start.
If you are unable to attend, fees are non-refundable and rescheduling is not possible. However, you may transfer your spot to another person – please notify us at least 24 hours in advance at steklokeramika@center-rog.si.

We look forward to your company and to creating together!