Introduction to body casting
- Course Code: VU105
- Dates: 13/07/24 - 14/07/24
- Time: 10:30 - 16:30
- Taught: Sat-Sun, Daytime
- Duration: 2 sessions
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Valerie Merlo
Course Code: VU105
Duration: 2 sessions
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.
What is the course about?
In this course you will be instructed in how to make plaster bandage and alginate casts of the face, head and body parts including hands and feet. The moulds you make will then be used to create finished plaster casts. We will also look at contemporary artists and their use of body casts in their work.
What will we cover?
Preparing a model for casting, body casting, mould making, plaster casting and the use of alginate to make moulds for casting.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Make one or more plaster casts of body parts.
- Cast using plaster bandage method and alginate method.
- Make a body cast safely and with minimal discomfort to your model.
- Make moulds for plaster casting and experiment with coloured pigments on final plaster casts.
- Clean and finish of body part casts.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Beginners to learners with some experience.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This is a hands-on course combining practical and verbal instruction. Learners will work in teams of two with one as model and the other as mould maker with one-to-one and group instruction and demonstration from the tutor.
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.
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.
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.