Experimental sculpture in plaster and clay
Course Code: VU907
Duration: 3 sessions (over 3 weeks)
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What is the course about?
This course is designed to challenge you to explore and extend the possibilities of modelling in clay and plaster. Taking inspiration from modern and contemporary sculpture, and then from your imagination.
What will we cover?
You will focus on ways of developing ideas through drawing and small 3D sketches. You will explore sculptural aspects of your drawings to create small scale personal sculpture. There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion and analysis of your work.
We will look at examples of other artist’s work who are exploring the subject.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Make drawings from your ideas.
- Make at least 2 small sculptures in clay and/or plaster.
- Progress your modelling skills in clay and plaster.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
All abilities welcome from beginners to advanced.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught through tutor demonstration and practical activities and you will be helped individually as required. There will be opportunities for whole group discussion. Handouts will accompany demonstrations. The course is structured to manage the work within the class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All essential materials and equipment will be provided and are included in the course fee.
You must wear flat sturdy shoes with a closed toe. Please also wear old working clothes that you do not mind getting messy or bring overalls.
We also recommend that you bring a sketchbook/notebook and pencils to sketch and make notes. A camera is also useful to photograph 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 course in a material or process you have tried before to develop your skills further, or try something completely different. We offer courses in prop making, metal, clay, wax, carving in stone and wood, mould making and casting in Jesmonite, or pewter and much more! You may wish to progress onto the year-long City Lit Sculpture course VU841, which helps you to build your own individual sculpture practice and culminates with an exhibition.
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 020 7492 2700 Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm.
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.