Sculpture: inspired by Giacometti
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- Start Date: 18 May 2025End Date: 25 May 2025Sun (Daytime): 10:00 - 17:00In PersonFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00
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What is the course about?
You will look at the materials and techniques used by Giacometti and learn about his life and work. You will construct a sculpture using different types of plaster, materials and finishing effects.
What will we cover?
There will be an overview of Giacometti's life and times. You will be shown how to build an armature, look at scale and form, use tools safely, use plaster as a direct sculpting medium and try sculpting techniques and materials to achieve various effect.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Build a suitable armature.
- Plan and design a ‘Giacometti’ sculpture.
- Identify sculptural techniques and use plaster to create a sculpture.
- Produce your own version of a Giacometti sculpture.
- Understand how to use materials to create a surface finish.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for all levels of ability. It will suit a beginner and those with an interest in sculpture who are wishing to learn basic armature, building and sculpture techniques.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Through demonstrations, practical hands-on activities, research, group and individual tuition.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no other costs or materials needed.
You must wear sturdy shoes that cover the whole foot (no open toe). Plaster is potentially messy and cannot be washed out of clothes so please wear old working clothes or bring overalls.
A camera is always good to record the stages in your 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 to build your own individual sculpture practice.
We are constantly adding new courses. Please ask your tutor for advice or browse the City Lit website for inspiration. It is also possible to contact our visual arts team by emailing visualarts@citylit.ac.uk, or calling 0203 880 2415 Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm.
Ro Sylvester is a veteran of film and theatre, having made costume and props for productions such as ‘Hellraiser’ and ‘Legend’ back in the ‘80s. She ran a costume studio in Covent Garden for some time, supplying the Opera House and other West End Theatres with costumes and props. Ro also made many props and costumes for pop videos including Eddie Grant, Supertramp and New Order. From the early ‘90s, she worked in secondary and 6th form teaching, delivering exam courses in Design Technology, Textiles, Graphics, Computer Graphics and Model Making. Having retired from secondary teaching in 2017, Ro has worked to private commission in retail display, commercials and theatre. She has also worked as a tutor at City Lit, teaching; Model Making, Prop Making, Perspective, Pastel drawing and general creativity skills. She continues to create bespoke lightweight jewellery, window displays and props for theatre and film. Ro runs a lively and fast moving classroom, helping students to explore their potential and progress onto other courses where applicable. You can see much of her work and that of her students on her website.
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.