Introduction to casting and mould making
Time: 18:00 - 21:00
Location: KS - Keeley Street
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City Lit
This course has now finished
Course Code: VU206
Duration: 4 sessions
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This course will teach you all the basic skills for mould making and casting your sculptures. We'll guide you in making plaster and rubber moulds, and casting in plaster of Paris and cement. You will also be given suppliers' details for your future work.
What will we cover?
- Plaster casting
- The design and production of rubber moulds
- Selecting materials to cast in
- Casting with resin and how to prepare a plaster mould for cement casting
- Experimenting with different finishes to 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 we will be making on the course, teacher-led demonstrations and individual student participation will be the main instruction method. You will have time to gain experience by producing your own moulds and casts under the supervision of the teacher.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
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.
Stout footwear should be worn at all times in the sculpture studio.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
The City Lit sculpture department offers a whole selection of courses that will allow you to progress from beginner to advanced and master a range of techniques. You may like to progress onto the year-long City Lit Sculpture course which helps you to build your own individual sculpture practice, or sign up to a short course specialising in a particular approach or skill - we offer everything from working in wire or plaster, carving in wood or stone through to wax carving for the foundry; cast your sculpture in bronze to prop making for film theatre and display. Ask your tutor for advice or browse the City Lit website or prospectus for inspiration.
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.
