No armatures needed for this small sculpture workshop! Participants will sculpt animals of their choosing from a solid block of clay. This workshop covers the basics of sculpting animals using the solid built method to quickly capture expressive gesture and movement in animal subjects. Demonstrations include techniques for understanding animal anatomy and sculpting various animal textures. This workshop is great for ceramic artists of all levels including beginners.
Snouts and Snarls
2-3 Day Hands On Workshop
Description: In this workshop participants will create a 12’’-14’’ tall detailed clay head portrait of the animal of their choice. Demonstrations will include armatures and solid building methods for animal sculpture and forming techniques with a focus on animal expression and realistic textures. Animals can display a wide range of expressions through gaze and facial movements such as snarling, roaring, and yawning. These larger head portraits will allow participants to explore creating details like eyes, teeth, tongues, and tusks in clay. Sculptures will be designed as busts or to hang on the wall.
Animals in Clay
3-5 Day or 2 Week Hands-on Workshop
This more advanced workshop participants will create medium sized sculptures (14-18 inches) using armatures, and solid building techniques. Participants will sculpt animals of their choosing with a focus on creating larger works using armatures. animal anatomy and proportions, textures and details. Other demonstrations include hollowing, reassembly and firing techniques for larger works. This workshop is best for those with previous experience working in ceramics.
Glazing Ceramic Sculpture
1-2 Day Hands On Workshop or Demonstration
Glazing is one of the most difficult aspects of ceramic sculpture. While paints and other non-fired materials can be more predictable, fired glazes provide an opportunity for more permanent and unique surfaces. This workshop will share a variety of techniques for glazing ceramic animal sculptures. Discussion will cover how to use commercial glazes to create naturalistic fired surfaces for animals. Demonstrations will include mixing and altering glazes, test tiles, layering, blending, and creating animal markings. Students will learn glaze firing methods and programs for mid range oxidation firing in electric kilns. These workshops may be sponsored by Laguna Clay.
Modeling Animals Demonstration
2-4 Hour Demonstration Workshop
Students can observe how Ariel solid builds a clay sculpture of an animal along with the step by step process of hollowing and reassembly. This demonstration focuses on animal anatomy, expression, and gesture, as well as medium scale building. This demonstration also includes a variety of animal texture techniques. Includes an optional 30 minute lecture on large scale building and associated techniques and materials.
Molds and Multiples Demonstration
3 Hour Demonstration Workshop
Students will learn to make various types of plaster molds including press molds, and multiple piece molds for slip casting. Demonstration will include an overview of casting slip techniques and information as well as how to assemble slip cast parts into larger forms.
Silicone Molds and Texture Mat Demonstration 2 Hour Demonstration Workshop
Students will learn to how to make and use silicone molds and texture mats for ceramic sculpture. Make amazing complex textures in clay using silicone molds and press mold complex forms that can be added to existing forms.
Animals and Artifacts
2 Day Hands On Dual Workshop
This dual artist workshop with mother and daughter ceramic artists Ariel and Sweety Bowman provides instruction in a variety of forming techniques for making animals. Ariel demonstrates solid building techniques for making animals, while her mother Sweety demonstrates how to throw animal forms using the wheel. Each participant will get to make an animal using both methods. Forms can be provided for students who do not feel confident in their throwing skills. Students will learn unique ways of combining forming methods, how to make animal textures, and other elements like pillows, blankets, and clothing.
Most demonstration workshops can also be offered as hands on workshops if more time and materials are made available. For more information, pricing, or to inquire about booking a workshop for your institution or organization, please fill out the form on the contact page.
Online Workshops
Live stream workshops are now available through Crowdcast! Purchase tickets online and get access to live sessions and video replays. Ask questions and get live answers, follow along and even receive feedback on your work if you have a webcam and microphone. Video replays are available to participants on Crowdcast for up to six months after the event date. Follow me on Crowdcast to be notified the next time I go live! Watch the video clip below to get an idea of what these online workshops are like. Become a member of my Patreon page for access to discounts for online workshops, exclusive live streams and technical videos.