Break the mould - try your hand at the techniques of mould making and casting as practised by sculptors, prop makers and designers. Under the guidance of highly experienced industry professional in our fully equipped sculpture studio, explore making plaster and rubber moulds. Then learn how to cast from them in plaster of Paris and cement.
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.
This course will teach you all the basic skills for mould making and casting your sculptures. You will be guided in making plaster and rubber moulds, and then casting from them in plaster of Paris and cement. You will also be given suppliers' details to support you in your future artwork.
What will we cover?
- Plaster casting - The design and production of rubber moulds - Selecting materials to cast in - Casting with Jesmonite - How to prepare a plaster mould for cement casting - Experimenting with different finishes of a cast - Group crit of everyone's work.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Understand the principals of mould making - Produce a cast from a mould - Demonstrate experience of different materials used for mould making and casting.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
All levels welcome; no previous skills necessary.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Following an initial short PowerPoint presentation on the various types of moulds you will be making on the course, the main teaching methods will be teacher-led demonstrations and individual student participation. You will have time to gain experience by producing your own moulds and casts under the supervision of the tutor.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Materials and Equipment
All objects and materials for mould making and casting will be supplied. Students may bring their own objects but the decision to use them in the moulding process will be at the discretion of the tutor.
A sketchbook and drawing materials are recommended, and you are welcome to incorporate found ferrous metal objects into your work.
What to Wear Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes—no sandals or open-toed footwear. Old work clothes or overalls are also advised.
Health and Safety Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as facemasks for use when working with materials that
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.
The in-person information desk (at our Keeley Street campus) is open Monday - Friday from 12 pm - 1:55 pm & 3 pm - 5 pm. In-person enrolment is supported Monday - Friday from 10:30 am -12 pm & 3 pm -5 pm. General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday between 12:00 - 13:55 & 15:00 - 17:00. In-person enrolment is supported Monday - Friday between 10:30 - 12:00 & 15:00 - 17:00
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/introduction-to-casting-and-mould-making158515Introduction to casting and mould makinghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/n/intro-cast-mould-vu101.jpg279279GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Ceramics & sculpture/Courses/vm/Courses for Making Your Own Art/Courses/Art & design/Ceramics & sculpture/Mould making & casting2285113214311790199512285113216531431Break the mould - try your hand at the techniques of mould making and casting as practised by sculptors, prop makers and designers. Under the guidance of highly experienced industry professional in our fully equipped sculpture studio, explore making plaster and rubber moulds. Then learn how to cast from them in plaster of Paris and cement. <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">This course will teach you all the basic skills for mould making and casting your sculptures. You will be guided in making plaster and rubber moulds, and then casting from them in plaster of Paris and cement. You will also be given suppliers' details to support you in your future artwork.</div>352540494Introduction to casting and mould making279279https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/n/intro-cast-mould-vu101_18.jpgInStockEveningFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-17T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Art & designVU206279279Introduction to casting and mould making223181279Valerie Merlointroduction-to-casting-and-mould-making/vu206-2526Break the mould - try your hand at the techniques of mould making and casting as practised by sculptors, prop makers and designers. Under the guidance of highly experienced industry professional in our fully equipped sculpture studio, explore making plaster and rubber moulds. Then learn how to cast from them in plaster of Paris and cement.0000-Available|2026-04-17 00:00:00This course will teach you all the basic skills for mould making and casting your sculptures. You will be guided in making plaster and rubber moulds, and then casting from them in plaster of Paris and cement. You will also be given suppliers' details to support you in your future artwork.Break the mould - try your hand at the techniques of mould making and casting as practised by sculptors, prop makers and designers. Under the guidance of highly experienced industry professional in our fully equipped sculpture studio, explore making plaster and rubber moulds. Then learn how to cast from them in plaster of Paris and cement.- Plaster casting<br/> - The design and production of rubber moulds<br/> - Selecting materials to cast in<br/> - Casting with Jesmonite<br/> - How to prepare a plaster mould for cement casting<br/> - Experimenting with different finishes of a cast<br/> - Group crit of everyone's work.- Understand the principals of mould making<br/> - Produce a cast from a mould<br/> - Demonstrate experience of different materials used for mould making and casting.All levels welcome; no previous skills necessary.Following an initial short PowerPoint presentation on the various types of moulds you will be making on the course, the main teaching methods will be teacher-led demonstrations and individual student participation. You will have time to gain experience by producing your own moulds and casts under the supervision of the tutor.<p><strong>Materials and Equipment</strong></p><p>All objects and materials for mould making and casting will be supplied. Students may bring their own objects but the decision to use them in the moulding process will be at the discretion of the tutor. </p><p>A sketchbook and drawing materials are recommended, and you are welcome to incorporate found ferrous metal objects into your work.</p><p><strong>What to Wear</strong><br/>Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes—no sandals or open-toed footwear. Old work clothes or overalls are also advised.</p><p><strong>Health and Safety</strong><br/>Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as facemasks for use when working with materials that </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> </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><p><br/>The in-person information desk (at our Keeley Street campus) is open Monday - Friday from 12 pm - 1:55 pm & 3 pm - 5 pm. In-person enrolment is supported Monday - Friday from 10:30 am -12 pm & 3 pm -5 pm. General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday between 12:00 - 13:55 & 15:00 - 17:00. In-person enrolment is supported Monday - Friday between 10:30 - 12:00 & 15:00 - 17:00</p>Ceramics & sculptureMould making & castingvirtual223279181VU206NONEFri17/04/26 - 22/05/2618:00 - 21:0018:0021:006 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetValerie MerloBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-17T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Art & design279279Introduction to casting and mould makingintroduction-to-casting-and-mould-making/vu206-2526Break the mould - try your hand at the techniques of mould making and casting as practised by sculptors, prop makers and designers. Under the guidance of highly experienced industry professional in our fully equipped sculpture studio, explore making plaster and rubber moulds. Then learn how to cast from them in plaster of Paris and cement.0000-Available|2026-04-17 00:00:00This course will teach you all the basic skills for mould making and casting your sculptures. You will be guided in making plaster and rubber moulds, and then casting from them in plaster of Paris and cement. You will also be given suppliers' details to support you in your future artwork.Break the mould - try your hand at the techniques of mould making and casting as practised by sculptors, prop makers and designers. Under the guidance of highly experienced industry professional in our fully equipped sculpture studio, explore making plaster and rubber moulds. Then learn how to cast from them in plaster of Paris and cement.- Plaster casting<br/> - The design and production of rubber moulds<br/> - Selecting materials to cast in<br/> - Casting with Jesmonite<br/> - How to prepare a plaster mould for cement casting<br/> - Experimenting with different finishes of a cast<br/> - Group crit of everyone's work.- Understand the principals of mould making<br/> - Produce a cast from a mould<br/> - Demonstrate experience of different materials used for mould making and casting.All levels welcome; no previous skills necessary.Following an initial short PowerPoint presentation on the various types of moulds you will be making on the course, the main teaching methods will be teacher-led demonstrations and individual student participation. You will have time to gain experience by producing your own moulds and casts under the supervision of the tutor.<p><strong>Materials and Equipment</strong></p><p>All objects and materials for mould making and casting will be supplied. Students may bring their own objects but the decision to use them in the moulding process will be at the discretion of the tutor. </p><p>A sketchbook and drawing materials are recommended, and you are welcome to incorporate found ferrous metal objects into your work.</p><p><strong>What to Wear</strong><br/>Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes—no sandals or open-toed footwear. Old work clothes or overalls are also advised.</p><p><strong>Health and Safety</strong><br/>Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as facemasks for use when working with materials that </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> </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><p><br/>The in-person information desk (at our Keeley Street campus) is open Monday - Friday from 12 pm - 1:55 pm &amp; 3 pm - 5 pm. In-person enrolment is supported Monday - Friday from 10:30 am -12 pm &amp; 3 pm -5 pm. General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday between 12:00 - 13:55 &amp; 15:00 - 17:00. In-person enrolment is supported Monday - Friday between 10:30 - 12:00 &amp; 15:00 - 17:00</p>Ceramics & sculptureMould making & castingconfigurable
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