Follow in the footsteps of Michelangelo and Rodin to learn how to capture the human figure, both physically and emotionally, on this fascinating practical sculpting course. You will work from a life model to develop your own clay sculpture of the human form.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
A wonderful opportunity to work directly from a life model to observe the human form, study simple anatomy, and create a small sculpture in clay for firing at the end of the course. Suitable for all levels of experience, the sessions will concentrate on one pose giving you ample time to develop your observation and extend your skills; from manipulating the clay, to textural techniques, and how to prepare your work for firing.
What will we cover?
Simple anatomy.
Using clay effectively to create a small sculpture.
Preparing the sculpture for firing.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Use basic anatomical awareness to inform your sculpture.
Manipulate clay.
Use a variety of textural techniques to enhance your sculpture.
Prepare a sculpture for the kiln.
Appreciate the work of other sculptors who have worked from a life model.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
All abilities welcome.
You will need to be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations and health and safety information. You will be invited to take part in group discussions. You should be happy using numbers and able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will mainly be taught on an individual basis, with some group discussion. The emphasis will be on practice with guidance.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Materials and Equipment
There are no additional costs - all essential materials and equipment are included in the course fee.
We recommend bringing a sketchbook, pencils, and a pen for sketching and note-taking. A camera or smartphone can also be helpful to document your work in progress.
What to Wear
For your safety, please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes - no sandals or open-toed footwear. Wearing old clothes or overalls is strongly recommended.
Health and Safety
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided and must be worn where required. This includes items such as facemasks when working with materials that may produce dust or fine particles.
Firing and Collection of Work
At the end of the course, your clay sculpture will be fired to transform it into ceramic. As the work must be completely dry before firing, this process can take several weeks.
Near the end of the course, your tutor will let you know the dates and times for collecting your finished sculpture from the studio. Please note that fired sculptures can be quite heavy, and City Lit is unable to post or deliver work.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
The City Lit sculpture department offers a wide range of exciting courses that will allow you to progress from beginner to advanced and learn a range of techniques. After this course, you may wish to join a similar course to develop your skills further, or try something completely different. We offer courses in prop making, metal, clay, carving in stone and wood, mould making and casting, and much more! Alternatively, you may wish to progress onto the year-long City Lit Sculpture course VU841, which helps you build your individual sculpture practice.
Please ask your tutor for advice, browse the City Lit website for inspiration, or contact our Visual Arts team by emailing visualarts@citylit.ac.uk or calling 0203 880 2415 Monday - Friday, 11 am - 4 pm.
Valerie Merlo is a sculptor, who specialises in bronze casting. She has an MA in sculpture from the Royal College of Art and teaches at City Lit alongside her art practice. She has a strong interest in drawing, which she uses when working towards her sculpture, which she makes from her studio at ASC studios. Valerie is a very experienced tutor whose personal approach to sculpture feeds into her teaching, by encouraging students to explore the creative boundary between drawing and sculpture. Her focus is on supporting students to develop individual projects from direct observation of the figure, their imagination, exploring and experimenting with materials and from research into the work of other artists; both contemporary and historical art. javascript:WebForm_DoPostBackWithOptions(new WebForm_PostBackOptions("ctl00$ctl00$SystemContentPane$ContentPlaceHolderWorkflowActions$LinkButtonFormSubmitted", "", true, "", "", false, true))
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/clay-sculpture-life-and-portrait2488471Clay sculpture: life and portraithttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/c/l/clay-sculpture-vu790-_what_course_is_this.jpg619619GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Ceramics & sculpture/Courses/Art & design/Ceramics & sculpture/Carving & modelling/Courses/vm/Courses to do with friends2285113214311989164712285113214311653<p>Follow in the footsteps of Michelangelo and Rodin to learn how to capture the human figure, both physically and emotionally, on this fascinating practical sculpting course. You will work from a life model to develop your own clay sculpture of the human form.</p>003029935Clay sculpture: life and portrait619619https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/c/l/clay-sculpture-vu790-_what_course_is_this_22.jpgInStockEveningMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Art & designVU790619619Clay sculpture: life and portrait495402619Valerie Merloclay-sculpture-life-and-portrait/vu790-2627<p>Follow in the footsteps of Michelangelo and Rodin to learn how to capture the human figure, both physically and emotionally, on this fascinating practical sculpting course. You will work from a life model to develop your own clay sculpture of the human form.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00<p>A wonderful opportunity to work directly from a life model to observe the human form, study simple anatomy, and create a small sculpture in clay for firing at the end of the course. Suitable for all levels of experience, the sessions will concentrate on one pose giving you ample time to develop your observation and extend your skills; from manipulating the clay, to textural techniques, and how to prepare your work for firing.</p><p>Follow in the footsteps of Michelangelo and Rodin to learn how to capture the human figure, both physically and emotionally, on this fascinating practical sculpting course. You will work from a life model to develop your own clay sculpture of the human form.</p><ul><li>Simple anatomy.</li><li>Using clay effectively to create a small sculpture.</li><li>Preparing the sculpture for firing.</li></ul><ul><li>Use basic anatomical awareness to inform your sculpture.</li><li>Manipulate clay.</li><li>Use a variety of textural techniques to enhance your sculpture.</li><li>Prepare a sculpture for the kiln.</li><li>Appreciate the work of other sculptors who have worked from a life model.</li></ul><p>All abilities welcome.<br><br>You will need to be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations and health and safety information. You will be invited to take part in group discussions. You should be happy using numbers and able to do simple measurements and calculations.</p><p>You will mainly be taught on an individual basis, with some group discussion. The emphasis will be on practice with guidance.</p><p><strong>Materials and Equipment</strong></p><p>There are no additional costs - all essential materials and equipment are included in the course fee.</p><p><br>We recommend bringing a sketchbook, pencils, and a pen for sketching and note-taking. A camera or smartphone can also be helpful to document your work in progress.</p><p> </p><p><strong>What to Wear</strong></p><p>For your safety, please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes - no sandals or open-toed footwear. Wearing old clothes or overalls is strongly recommended.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Health and Safety</strong></p><p>Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided and must be worn where required. This includes items such as facemasks when working with materials that may produce dust or fine particles.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Firing and Collection of Work</strong></p><p>At the end of the course, your clay sculpture will be fired to transform it into ceramic. As the work must be completely dry before firing, this process can take several weeks.</p><p>Near the end of the course, your tutor will let you know the dates and times for collecting your finished sculpture from the studio. Please note that fired sculptures can be quite heavy, and City Lit is unable to post or deliver work.</p><p>The City Lit sculpture department offers a wide range of exciting courses that will allow you to progress from beginner to advanced and learn a range of techniques. After this course, you may wish to join a similar course to develop your skills further, or try something completely different. We offer courses in prop making, metal, clay, carving in stone and wood, mould making and casting, and much more! Alternatively, you may wish to progress onto the year-long City Lit Sculpture course VU841, which helps you build your individual sculpture practice.</p><p>Please ask your tutor for advice, browse the City Lit website for inspiration, or contact our Visual Arts team by emailing visualarts@citylit.ac.uk or calling 0203 880 2415 Monday - Friday, 11 am - 4 pm. </p>Ceramics & sculptureCarving & modellingvirtual495619402VU790NONEMon14/09/26 - 07/12/2618:00 - 21:0018:0021:0012 sessions (over 13 weeks)1211 weeks or longerWeekdayKSKeeley StreetValerie MerloBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00EveningSep 2026Art & design619619Clay sculpture: life and portraitclay-sculpture-life-and-portrait/vu790-2627<p>Follow in the footsteps of Michelangelo and Rodin to learn how to capture the human figure, both physically and emotionally, on this fascinating practical sculpting course. You will work from a life model to develop your own clay sculpture of the human form.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00<p>A wonderful opportunity to work directly from a life model to observe the human form, study simple anatomy, and create a small sculpture in clay for firing at the end of the course. Suitable for all levels of experience, the sessions will concentrate on one pose giving you ample time to develop your observation and extend your skills; from manipulating the clay, to textural techniques, and how to prepare your work for firing.</p><p>Follow in the footsteps of Michelangelo and Rodin to learn how to capture the human figure, both physically and emotionally, on this fascinating practical sculpting course. You will work from a life model to develop your own clay sculpture of the human form.</p><ul><li>Simple anatomy.</li><li>Using clay effectively to create a small sculpture.</li><li>Preparing the sculpture for firing.</li></ul><ul><li>Use basic anatomical awareness to inform your sculpture.</li><li>Manipulate clay.</li><li>Use a variety of textural techniques to enhance your sculpture.</li><li>Prepare a sculpture for the kiln.</li><li>Appreciate the work of other sculptors who have worked from a life model.</li></ul><p>All abilities welcome.<br><br>You will need to be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations and health and safety information. You will be invited to take part in group discussions. You should be happy using numbers and able to do simple measurements and calculations.</p><p>You will mainly be taught on an individual basis, with some group discussion. The emphasis will be on practice with guidance.</p><p><strong>Materials and Equipment</strong></p><p>There are no additional costs - all essential materials and equipment are included in the course fee.</p><p><br>We recommend bringing a sketchbook, pencils, and a pen for sketching and note-taking. A camera or smartphone can also be helpful to document your work in progress.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What to Wear</strong></p><p>For your safety, please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes - no sandals or open-toed footwear. Wearing old clothes or overalls is strongly recommended.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Health and Safety</strong></p><p>Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided and must be worn where required. This includes items such as facemasks when working with materials that may produce dust or fine particles.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Firing and Collection of Work</strong></p><p>At the end of the course, your clay sculpture will be fired to transform it into ceramic. As the work must be completely dry before firing, this process can take several weeks.</p><p>Near the end of the course, your tutor will let you know the dates and times for collecting your finished sculpture from the studio. Please note that fired sculptures can be quite heavy, and City Lit is unable to post or deliver work.</p><p>The City Lit sculpture department offers a wide range of exciting courses that will allow you to progress from beginner to advanced and learn a range of techniques. After this course, you may wish to join a similar course to develop your skills further, or try something completely different. We offer courses in prop making, metal, clay, carving in stone and wood, mould making and casting, and much more! Alternatively, you may wish to progress onto the year-long City Lit Sculpture course VU841, which helps you build your individual sculpture practice.</p><p>Please ask your tutor for advice, browse the City Lit website for inspiration, or contact our Visual Arts team by emailing visualarts@citylit.ac.uk or calling 0203 880 2415 Monday - Friday, 11 am - 4 pm.&nbsp;</p>Ceramics & sculptureCarving & modellingconfigurable
