Whether you would like to try out sculpting with clay for fun, or it is something you wish to explore further, this beginner's course is a great way to learn the first steps in design and basic clay modelling techniques. In it you can create either a realistic or an abstract sculpture.
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 is perfect as an introduction to clay modelling and sculpture. You will learn hands-on with the materials, tools and processes needed to create your sculpture. Your clay sculpture will be fired after the course has finished, your tutor will advise dates for collection.
What will we cover?
- You will learn how to build, shape and mould clay when modelling a small sculpture. - We will cover which types of clay are best suitable for modelling with. - Practice how to prepare a clay sculpture for bisque firing and understand the firing process. - You will be supported towards developing your own idea for the sculpture. - A brief introduction to historical and contemporary sculpture.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Follow a project brief and research your design. - Have a practical understanding of the relevance of scale and proportion in sculpture. - Have an understanding of tools and materials suitable for sculpting with clay. - Use basic clay modelling techniques specific for sculpture. - Create a small clay sculpture.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a beginner's course, but all levels are welcome, as this short course offers an opportunity for students who wish to expand their portfolio.
Students should be able to follow written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be expected to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will learn through practical demonstrations, group and individual discussions and tutorials.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Materials and Equipment General tools and equipment will be provided.
Please bring a sketchbook, pencils and a pen to sketch and make notes. A camera is also useful to photograph 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 may release airborne particles, will be provided and must be worn as required.
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
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
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-clay-sculpture2489638Introduction to clay sculpturehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/VR728_City_Lit_Ceramics_Workshop.jpg249249GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Ceramics & sculpture/Courses/Art & design/Ceramics & sculpture/Carving & modelling/Courses/vm/Make Art You're Proud Of22851132143119891374412285113214311653<p>Whether you would like to try out sculpting with clay for fun, or it is something you wish to explore further, this beginner's course is a great way to learn the first steps in design and basic clay modelling techniques. In it you can create either a realistic or an abstract sculpture.</p>002586637Introduction to clay sculpture249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/VR728_City_Lit_Ceramics_Workshop.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-06-18T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJun 2026Art & designVU994249249Introduction to clay sculpture199162249Shelley Wilsonintroduction-to-clay-sculpture/vu994-2526<p>Whether you would like to try out sculpting with clay for fun, or it is something you wish to explore further, this beginner's course is a great way to learn the first steps in design and basic clay modelling techniques. In it you can create either a realistic or an abstract sculpture.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-18 00:00:00<p>This course is perfect as an introduction to clay modelling and sculpture. You will learn hands-on with the materials, tools and processes needed to create your sculpture. Your clay sculpture will be fired after the course has finished, your tutor will advise dates for collection.</p><p>Whether you would like to try out sculpting with clay for fun, or it is something you wish to explore further, this beginner's course is a great way to learn the first steps in design and basic clay modelling techniques. In it you can create either a realistic or an abstract sculpture.</p>- You will learn how to build, shape and mould clay when modelling a small sculpture.<br>- We will cover which types of clay are best suitable for modelling with.<br>- Practice how to prepare a clay sculpture for bisque firing and understand the firing process.<br>- You will be supported towards developing your own idea for the sculpture.<br>- A brief introduction to historical and contemporary sculpture.<p>- Follow a project brief and research your design.<br>- Have a practical understanding of the relevance of scale and proportion in sculpture.<br>- Have an understanding of tools and materials suitable for sculpting with clay.<br>- Use basic clay modelling techniques specific for sculpture.<br>- Create a small clay sculpture.</p><p>This is a beginner's course, but all levels are welcome, as this short course offers an opportunity for students who wish to expand their portfolio.</p><p>Students should be able to follow written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be expected to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do measurements and calculations.</p>You will learn through practical demonstrations, group and individual discussions and tutorials.<p><strong>Materials and Equipment</strong><br>General tools and equipment will be provided. </p><p>Please bring a sketchbook, pencils and a pen to sketch and make notes. A camera is also useful to photograph 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 may release airborne particles, will be provided and must be worn as required.</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 & sculptureCarving & modellingvirtual199249162VU994NONEThu18/06/26 - 02/07/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:303 sessions (over 3 weeks)31 to 4 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetShelley WilsonBeginnersAvailable courses2026-06-18T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026Art & design249249Introduction to clay sculptureintroduction-to-clay-sculpture/vu994-2526<p>Whether you would like to try out sculpting with clay for fun, or it is something you wish to explore further, this beginner's course is a great way to learn the first steps in design and basic clay modelling techniques. In it you can create either a realistic or an abstract sculpture.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-18 00:00:00<p>This course is perfect as an introduction to clay modelling and sculpture. You will learn hands-on with the materials, tools and processes needed to create your sculpture. Your clay sculpture will be fired after the course has finished, your tutor will advise dates for collection.</p><p>Whether you would like to try out sculpting with clay for fun, or it is something you wish to explore further, this beginner's course is a great way to learn the first steps in design and basic clay modelling techniques. In it you can create either a realistic or an abstract sculpture.</p>- You will learn how to build, shape and mould clay when modelling a small sculpture.<br>- We will cover which types of clay are best suitable for modelling with.<br>- Practice how to prepare a clay sculpture for bisque firing and understand the firing process.<br>- You will be supported towards developing your own idea for the sculpture.<br>- A brief introduction to historical and contemporary sculpture.<p>- Follow a project brief and research your design.<br>- Have a practical understanding of the relevance of scale and proportion in sculpture.<br>- Have an understanding of tools and materials suitable for sculpting with clay.<br>- Use basic clay modelling techniques specific for sculpture.<br>- Create a small clay sculpture.</p><p>This is a beginner's course, but all levels are welcome, as this short course offers an opportunity for students who wish to expand their portfolio.</p><p>Students should be able to follow written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be expected to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do measurements and calculations.</p>You will learn through practical demonstrations, group and individual discussions and tutorials.<p><strong>Materials and Equipment</strong><br>General tools and equipment will be provided. </p><p>Please bring a sketchbook, pencils and a pen to sketch and make notes. A camera is also useful to photograph 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 may release airborne particles, will be provided and must be worn as required.</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 & sculptureCarving & modellingconfigurable
