Slip Trails – A Dynamic Approach to Clay & Slip with Dylan Bowen
Dharamkot Studio with Atelier Lālmitti are bringing Dylan Bowen to India for the first time. This is an exclusive workshop with limited seats.
Dates : 23 – 29 Oct 2026
Duration : 6 Days
Level : All levels, from beginner to professional (beginners must have basic skills in hand-building or wheel throwing)
Facilitator/Artist : Dylan Bowen
Number of participants : Maximum 10
Location : Dharamkot Studio, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India
Fees :
INR 85350 +18% Taxes /person
INR 155400 +18% Taxes/ 2 people
(Including : Private room, all materials, all meals, city tour and wellness sessions.)
Workshop Outline
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
- Embrace unpredictability as part of the making process
- This approach opens up a more fluid and expansive relationship with ceramics — one that prioritises exploration over perfection and process over final outcome.
Throughout the workshop, participants will engage with:
- Slip trailing techniques (traditional and contemporary slipware methods)
- Expressive surface development using coloured slips
- Hand-building
- Assembling forms both on and off the wheel
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.
Level / participants profile
This workshop is suitable for:
- Beginners with basic skills in hand building or wheel throwing
- Intermediate to advanced potters
- Ceramic artists and practitioners
It is not a beginner pottery class.
This workshop is for you if
- You are curious about making intuitively using clay and slips.
- You want to experiment with slip trailing, expressive surfaces and spontaneous forms.
- You are looking for a workshop that focuses on experimentation, expression and discovery.
- You want to bring fluidity in your practice, prioritizing process over fixed outcomes.
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
23 Oct : Check-in before 11 AM, take your time to settle in, visit the studio, meet other participants and attend your first clay session from 4 PM – 7 PM.
24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 Oct : These days of the workshop include different sessions between 11 AM – 1:30 PM and 3:30 – 5:30 PM.
Between the breaks there will be a mix of city tour, hike, meditation, and sound bath sessions.
29 Oct : Check-out at 11 AM after breakfast.
How to Apply
To apply for the residency, please fill out the form. We’ll get in touch with you shortly after reviewing it.
Cancellation/rescheduling : The booking amount will be INR 30,000 p/p, which is non-refundable.
About the location
Set above McLeod Ganj, Dharamkot is a small mountain village (10 km from Dharamshala) surrounded by pine and cedar forests, known for its quiet pace and close connection to nature, making it well suited for an art retreat in Dharamkot.
The area is deeply influenced by Tibetan culture, shaped by the presence of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community based in McLeod Ganj. Monasteries, prayer flags, meditation spaces, and everyday rituals add a sense of calm, mindfulness, and reflection to daily life here.
Along narrow village paths are forest trails, simple cafés, and small guesthouses, shared by artists, long-term residents, and travellers.
Accomodation
All rooms have attached washrooms, Wi-Fi, power backup, hot water, a kettle, heater/fan/heating blanket, private balconies, and mountain views. Laundry and taxi services are available.
Our in-house kitchen serves wholesome Indian vegetarian meals. Vegan and gluten-free options are available on request. Several local cafés are also within a short walk.
Meals
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, central to this pottery retreat in Himachal Pradesh.
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.
Weather
Autumn (Oct) – 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 wear and warmer clothing for evenings, in keeping with typical autumn weather in Himachal Pradesh. Comfortable studio-appropriate clothing is recommended.
How to Reach
By Air – Dharamshala airport (DHM) is the nearest airport which is around 20 km (50 minutes) from the studio, direct taxi (1500/-) to the studio will be available.
By Bus – Overnight journey from Delhi by AC semi-sleeper bus. These buses are comfortable and safe, you can book the on Redbus. The nearest bus station is Dharamshala (8 km), and from the bus station, you can take a taxi (Rs. 600/-) to the studio.
By Train – Pathankot (85km) is the nearest railway station, from Pathankot you can take public transport to Dharamshala and then a taxi to the Studio. Or you can take a taxi from Pathankot to the studio.
AS SEEN ON:
FAQs:
A. 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.
Q. Do I need wheel-throwing experience?
A. It is important that you have some understanding and experience in wheel throwing. Most of the workshop focuses on hand-building and surface techniques.
Q. What will I learn in this ceramic workshop?
A. 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.
Q. What materials are included?
A. All essential materials are provided, including clay and coloured slips.
Q. Will my pieces be fired and shipped?
A. 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. Details will be shared during the workshop.
Q. Is accommodation included in the workshop fee?
A. Yes, residential participants are provided accommodation and meals as part of the workshop package.
Q. What is the schedule like?
A. The workshop includes daily studio sessions with breaks in between. There is also time to explore Dharamkot, with optional activities such as walks, city tour, or wellness activities such as yoga and meditation.
Q. How do I apply for this workshop?
A. This is a curated workshop with limited seats. To apply, you are required to share a short introduction and, if available, a portfolio of your recent work.
Q. Can beginners join this workshop?
A. This workshop is not designed for beginners. Some prior experience with clay is expected.
Q. What should I bring?
A. We recommend bringing comfortable clothing suitable for studio work, along with layers for cooler evenings in Dharamkot. All studio materials will be provided.
Q. Can my partner come (who doesn’t want to participate in the workshop)?
A. Yes, partners can accompany residents but do ensure you mention this on the application form. There will be extra charges of ₹1600 + Taxes/night including all meals.
Q. Are you located in a very remote location? Will I have network connectivity?
A. We are located at a 5-minute walk from Dharamkot village, nestled in a serene pine and cedar forest. You will have network connectivity, and we have high-speed WiFi too!