Throughout the course, you should expect to set up, model and finish a clay study of a nude figure. You can expect to see your personal style developing, with the tutor encouraging your response to the model, but, even more importantly, the aim of the course is to develop key sculpting skills, especially:

• Improved observational skills of the life model
• An increased understanding of basic human anatomy
• Some confidence about how to handle clay, and to plan and make a structurally-sound sculpture
• Increased confidence to make decisions so as to make interesting forms in clay
• The ability to stand back and assess your work, and move forward towards a conclusion

The tutor will move around the class throughout the day, teaching mostly one-to-one, but with some group demonstrations of technique, for example:

• How to use tools to create different effects
• Some aspects of figure modelling
• Hollowing out the figure in preparation for firing

There will also be a short session of quick sketching exercises to help stimulate your observational skills. The ability to draw is not a pre-requisite.

By the end of the course, you will have learned to set up, model and finish a clay study of a nude figure from observation.

Included

The College will provide a life model for the duration of the course, all clay and firing costs - large work in size and quantity may be charged extra.

What students need to bring

• An apron, charcoal, eraser, pencil and sketchbook
• Any sculpture tools you may have (there will be tools available to borrow)
• You might find it helpful to look at illustrations of work by any sculptors, e.g. Michelangelo, Auguste Rodin, Jacob Epstein, Elisabeth Frink, etc., and examples of any sculpted human figures that interest you before the course starts.

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• A good variety of art materials, including sketchbooks, paper and drawing media

Additional information

Firing options:

• Fill in the form supplied and leave any raw, finished pieces that you wish to keep, for biscuit firing by the College, for collection within six months.
• Take away your unfired sculpture for firing elsewhere.

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no open toes or sandals).

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm  
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)  
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

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