Sculpting Animals

During this three day workshop, students will learn how to sculpt expressive animal forms, drawing inspiration from animal narrative within historical art and personal experiences. Throughout the weekend, we’ll build multiple sculptures to practice scale and details while learning various techniques including the hollowing method and coil building to form larger animals. Instruction will include individual guidance on portraying emotion and character through facial expressions or gesture and students are encouraged to bring their own aesthetic approach, whether whimsical or realistic. We’ll also explore methods for achieving textured surfaces such as creating feathers, fur, or designs using slips and oxides washes. While the workshop does not include a firing, we’ll discuss various ways to glaze and fire the completed sculptures. Students can bring their favorite sculpting and clay tools along with a sketchbook and printed images of animals they might want to create. Join us for a playful exploration into representing with clay the animals that bring us wonder in our everyday lives!