A Day Sculpting Horses at Cheshire Clay Studios with Julia Elliott
We love popping over to see our friends at Cheshire Clay Studio to take part in one of their classes. They are able to offer some specialised classes, so we take a day off from teaching and immerse ourselves in the learning!
There’s something grounding about being able to spend a day with clay—no screens, no deadlines, just your hands, your imagination, and the quiet rhythm of shaping something from nothing. That was exactly the atmosphere during the recent horse sculpture workshop led by ceramic artist Julia Elliot.
From the moment we arrived, the studio felt warm and welcoming: shelves lined with pots, sculptures in various stages of completion, and the comforting, earthy smell of clay in the air. It was the kind of space that instantly invites you to slow down and get creative.
Meeting the Artist
Julia Elliott, who led the workshop, has a wonderfully varied artistic background. Born in South Africa, she spent part of her childhood growing up on a trout fishery in the New Forest before returning to South Africa to study at the Johannesburg School for Art. Later, back in the UK, she completed an art foundation in Chester and specialised in illustration and design in Southampton.
Her career has taken some fascinating turns: she worked in illustration and design, even contributing to a project with Arthur C. Clarke that was sent to NASA and flown aboard the Space Shuttle to the International Space Station. After that, she spent nearly a decade running film and photography adventure tours—mainly safaris in Africa—before settling in Wales and returning to her first love: ceramic sculpture.
Julia’s work today focuses on figurative ceramic pieces, particularly animals. She has spent years refining her ability to capture character and movement, sculpting everything from cats to show jumpers, and now creates more stylised, dynamic forms that push the limits of the clay. Her aim, she says, is to evoke emotion—whether that’s the playful mischief of a pony or the strength of a heavy horse.
Getting Our Hands Dirty
The workshop began with a quick introduction to the basic structure of a horse. Julia broke the process down into simple, manageable steps—starting with a rough armature and gradually building up the form.
What stood out immediately was her teaching style. There was no pressure to create something perfect. Instead, she encouraged us to look for movement, character, and personality in our sculptures. If a leg was a little wonky or the head slightly oversized, that was part of the charm.
We started by shaping the body, then adding legs and neck, carefully blending the clay so the joins were strong. Julia moved around the room, offering gentle guidance, occasionally demonstrating a technique, and always pointing out something positive in each piece.
I ultimatly made the decision to make my horse into a unicorn!
Final Thoughts
The day at Cheshire Clay Studios wasn’t just about learning how to sculpt a horse. It was about making time for myself to create, learning from an artist with a rich and varied career, and rediscovering the pleasure of working with your hands.
Julia’s passion for ceramics—and for capturing the spirit of animals—was evident throughout the workshop. Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone looking to reconnect with your creative side, it’s the kind of experience that stays with you long after the clay has dried.
Thank you Julia for an amazing day, and to Lisa and Liz at Cheshire Clay Studios
