Sculpture | London Fine Art Studios

The Sculpture Course

Term dates, short courses & prices here.

Course Overview

Whilst it is not required that students complete the Foundation Course before joining the class, it will prove beneficial if they have done so as it provides a strong understanding of proportion and gesture.

Depending on their level, students will work from plaster casts and/or life model. They will build armatures and learn how to handle the clay. They will learn how to judge proportions both with the eye and with callipers, progressing from simple shapes to more complex live forms. New students are admitted each term, those wishing to enrol on the figure/portrait courses must have completed the introduction to sculpture course first.

Course Structure

The Sculpture Course runs at different times in the week:

Monday, 7-9pm suitable to all including beginners
Tuesday, 9.45am-12.45pm Intermediate/Advanced
Tuesday, 1.30-4.30pm all levels. Tuesdays can be taken as half or a whole day

Sculpture

Term dates & prices here.

Apply here or for more information contact info@londonfineartstudios.com

Course Content

Monday Evenings 7-9pm

LEVEL 1 – Introduction to Sculpture

Working in water based clay, from plaster casts students will have the opportunity to become familiar with the method of building in 3D. They will be shown how to hollow out their sculptures.

LEVEL 2 – Introduction to Portraiture

Continuing working from plaster casts students will begin by producing a copy of a skull to gain a good understanding of the base structure of the head before breaking it down to simple planes. Copies will be at 3/4 life size so as to learn to work with scale without compromising anatomical accuracy. This building up of knowledge and skill is intended to give students the best possible grounding from which to progress to life model work.

LEVEL 3 – Portraiture and Advanced casts

Students who wish to continue their studies but are unable to attend the Tuesday figure class can continue to gain experience and confidence in working from any of the schools’ collection of plaster casts and a portrait model.

Timings: 7-9pm, *each course runs during a 10 week term with a half term break [i.e. 5 weeks | 1 week break | 5 weeks]

TUESDAY 9.45am – 4.30pm

Tuesday (All Day) Sculpture class is structured around a 10 week pose from the figure or portrait model. Students start with the armature and then gradually build the figure focusing on gesture and anatomy to create a realistic pose. Mould making and casting is not covered in these classes but advice can be given as necessary.

Timings: 10 week term | 9.45am – 4.30pm (45 min lunch break)

TUESDAY 1.30pm – 4.30pm

This course follows the same structure as the Monday evening class and is suited to all levels, in particular beginners. Students will work alongside advanced students but turn their attention to working from the cast as they gain experience in handling clay and building in 3D.

Timings: 10 week term

DECEMBER 3 DAY WORKSHOP

An intensive course focussed on the Portrait. All work in clay from the life model, it is not necessary to have previous experience nor do students have to have completed the Introduction of Foundation modules.

JULY SCULPTURE COURSE

Last week of our July Programme [10.00am – 12.30pm | 45 minute lunch | 1.15pm – 4.00]

A five day course that guides students through the principles of building armatures and handling clay, progressing to work with the life model with a strong emphasis on gesture, anatomical precision and scale.

Stage 1- Block In: This covers what measurements and anatomical landmarks to use to ensure you get your sculpture positioned correctly on the bust peg.
Stage 2-Profile view: We continue to mark key anatomical landmarks and how to sight angles and negative space to capture the model’s likeness.
Stage 3- Front view: Mass is now applied as students learn more about the structure of the skull. Placement and proportions of features are marked in.
Stage 4 – 3/4 views: We discuss how the 3/4 views helps us sculpt and check our planes and proportions
Stage 5 Features: We break down the basic planes of the features and discuss their forms.
Stage 6 Finishing: How to keep texture without losing your contours or how to unify for a completely smooth finish.

Students will gain a thorough understanding of what is involved in sculpting a portrait form a life model and how to manage their clay throughout the week. On the final day, students wishing to take their portraits home will be shown how to remove and hollow them out.

Students are encouraged to bring sketchbooks and will be shown how drawing especially at the profile stage can help.

Materials:

All materials will be provided apart from the casting material needed at the end of the course.

sculpture

Recommended Further Studies:

We encourage students to complement their studies by taking the time to visit exhibitions and practice sketching in museums. In addition, the Studios host a range of events throughout the term aimed at enhancing the artist’s understanding of their craft and the tradition that they are working within.

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