Neil Dalrymple training as a ceramic sculptor developed between 1968-1971 at Loughborough College of Art and Design where he specialised in Ceramic Design.

In his current work he uses stoneware clays to make sculptures, selecting the coarser clay for the larger works and fine smooth clay for more delicate pieces. Some of the sculptures are made using a slab technique whilst the live model studies and animals are created solid and then are hollowed out before drying.

Neil applies a realistic style to his sculptures particularly in his figures, fish and wildlife. He researches his subject from real life if possible, in order to create anatomically accurate as opposed to contemporary sculptures.

After the clay form is completed, it is dried and then biscuit fired to 1000 degrees centigrade after which glazes are applied to create the colours on the finished sculpture. 

He uses a white matt or semi-matt glaze coloured by oxides and under glaze colours. The sculpture is then fired to 1238-1240 degrees centigrade (cone 8).

All Neil Dalrymple’s ceramics are fired in an electric kiln to a stoneware temperature. Some of the larger fish sculptures are worked on after a glaze firing by rubbing them down with a wet and dry abrasive sandpaper to give them a super smooth polished stone effect.

A Neil Dalrymple sculpture can be displayed outdoors as being stoneware, the clay becomes vitrified during the production process and therefore very hard. However, in planning a sculpture intended for outdoor use, special care is taken to minimise any risks of damage due to exposure to all weathers. This will help to ensure that they are as resilient as possible and can be enjoyed and appreciated for many years.