Portrait Modelling and Mould Making Sculpture Courses

A thorough and considered approach to this fascinating art

Mastering Portrait Sculpture for Artists

9th – 12th March 2012 Hannahs, Seale Hayne, Newton Abbot, Devon, UK

11th – 14rd May 2012 Hannahs, Seale Hayne, Newton Abbot, Devon, UK

21th – 24th September 2012 Hannahs, Seale Hayne, Newton Abbot, Devon, UK

Courses on behalf of the Royal College of Surgeons

7th – 10th September 2012 Hannahs, Seale Hayne, Newton Abbot, Devon, UK — to be confirmed

“You have as much talent for teaching as you do for sculpture and I’m guessing that’s pretty rare.” JC Nottingham May 2011

Venue: This year all the courses will be at Seale Hayne

Introduction: This is not a typical art course where you are left to your own devices to find your own expression. Each studio session is crafted to help you uncover a complex understanding of the subtleties of the human form. This carefully structured 4-day sculpture class builds on your unique ability and offers you key techniques and protocols that will help you unravel the complexity of of what you see. The masterclass is limited to 10 participants in South Devon, England and suitable for professional as well as novice sculptors, as tuition will be individually tailored to suit your requirements.

Aims and Objectives: The portrait bust represents one of the most challenging tasks for the sculptor. The aim of the course is to train ways of seeing that develop perception of 3-D form. Using the portrait bust as the vehicle, you will uncover a complex understanding of the subtleties of the human architecture.

Throughout the course you will focus on method and procedure in a pragmatic approach that enables each stage of perception to be readily grasped.

• Measuring and anatomical proportions:
  
  
  
  • Develop acute observation through stages of perception
  • Building an armature with different methods of construction
  • Going beyond knowledge of the human anatomy
  • Learning to close the gap between what is observed and what can be reproduced
• Creating a likeness:
  
  
  
  • Working to commission
  • Bringing the clay to life
  • Knowing when to stop
  • Rescuing a disaster

Amy modelling Helen in the artist’s studio

Working procedure: The 4-day course is divided into 8 periods of sustained clay modelling. These are interspersed with relevant lectures and discussions. The skills used each day will be built upon in subsequent days, so that a protocol is developed that proceeds from the simple to the complex, from the external forms to the subtle details.

Each day will focus on specific aims and objectives in rendering a life-like portrait bust, with demonstrations and lectures covering style in sculpture, sculptural language and aesthetics.

Each modelling period will focus on gathering the correct information that is essential in unravelling the complex nature of the human head.

The course concludes with a critique of the work and an assessment of what has been learnt. The heads are prepared for firing, for later collection

Luke Shepherd has been leading 4-day portrait modelling classes for over 20 years. He regularly attends masterclasses himself with the Society of Portrait Sculptors.

Cost: To include all materials, scrumptious lunches and refreshments £410.

Please email for 4 page detailed information about this course.

Venue: This year all the courses will be at Seale Hayne a very special place that you will fall in love with.
Hannahs at Seale-Hayne

Accommodation: Accommodation is not provided on this course. Simple rooms are available at Seale Hayne at 30 per night. If you would like a recommendation with choosing your accommodation in South Devon, please let me know well in advance, as the best places are in demand in school holidays.

Food: Lunches are not provided but there is a café at Seale Hayne and fresh hot and cold food is available. Refreshments on all courses are provided throughout the day and include a range of teas, coffees, herbal drinks and snacks.

Further info: Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like further information about arranging Mould Making Courses, Resin Casting Courses or Mentoring.

What will I learn on the course?

Method

Visual perception

Creating a likeness

Modelling with light

Bringing the clay to life