Sculpt in Clay

Ceramic Figure Sculpture with Clay with Emily Roberts.

Join artist & tutor Emily Roberts and discover the expressive possibilities of clay as you create your own sculptural ceramic figure. Combining slab-building techniques with intuitive modelling, this two-day course offers a thoughtful introduction to figurative ceramics, suitable for both beginners and those with some experience of working in clay.

Working from either a simple paper template or your own ideas, you will build one or two small figures by cutting and shaping rolled slabs of clay to create the torso, limbs and head. During the course, a life model will pose for a drawing session, giving you the opportunity to study the human form before translating a chosen pose into three dimensions.

Tutor Emily will guide you through the practical techniques of constructing stable ceramic forms while introducing key aspects of human anatomy and proportion. The emphasis is not on producing perfect realism, but on developing expressive, individual sculptures that reflect your own artistic response.

Participants can choose to work in either locally produced Dobles clay from St Agnes or fine porcelain, each offering distinctive qualities, challenges and character. Throughout the workshop you will learn how different clays respond to shaping, joining and surface treatment.

Once completed, your sculptures will be professionally fired. If you wish, you will also be able to select from a range of glazes to add colour and finish before the final firing.

All tools and equipment are provided. Clay and firing costs are charged separately.