Face-to-face teaching
Portrait Sculpture with Hazel Reeves, Phoenix Brighton
Monday 1 to Friday 5 August 2022, £370, 11.30 to 5.30pm each day, course maximum 8
Get ready to become hooked. Sculpting a portrait in clay a very rewarding experience. This course will explore how to observe heads – how to see their differences and similarities, and in turn learn how to translate this understanding into a sculpture which captures a likeness of the sitter. On the first day we will sculpt rapidly an under-life-size head of the sitter, without measuring. During the next four days we will more systematically build a life-sized clay portrait of our sitter on an armature/bust-peg, then finally prepare it for firing (there is an option to open more time with the model and hollow-it out at home, if you are experienced). This concentrated modelling will be interspersed with fun exercises – with clay and without – to help train up the eye and hands.
Most materials are included in the cost of the course including clay for a life-size portrait. A wooden armature (sometimes called a ‘bust peg’) will be provided. This is yours to keep.
This course will be taught in a way that’s suitable for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Book here.
Expressive Portrait Sculpture Masterclass, Art Academy, London
Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 August 2022, 10 – 5pm each day, £195
This 2-day workshop is an exciting opportunity to work with top portrait artist Hazel Reeves and is for those with a bit more experience with portraiture. It will enable you to focus on getting expression, character, emotion and movement in your sculptures. Using a different model each day, you will have the chance to sculpt in clay a series of smaller heads focusing on ways of bringing the piece to life, using texture, form, tone and the pose/composition. This concentrated modelling will be interspersed with fun exercises – with clay and without – to bring more spontaneity to your work. This is aimed at intermediate and advanced students.
Portrait Head in Clay, Art Junction, Billingshurst
Five Saturdays: October 1 to 29, 2022, 10-4pm each day, £450, course max: 7
Have you ever wanted to capture someone’s face or expression in a sculpture? Working a portrait in clay from a live model is a really rewarding experience. This course will explore how to observe heads – how to see their differences and similarities, and in turn learn how to translate this understanding into a sculpture which captures a likeness of the sitter. During the five days a life-sized clay portrait of a live sitter will be built on an armature. This concentrated modelling will be interspersed with fun exercises – with clay and without – to help train up the eye and hands. This course will be taught in a way suitable for those with experience of sculpting in clay and those new to it. There will be an opportunity to hollow-out the heads after the course, for an additional fee.
One-to-one sessions
Whether you need advice on your first clay portrait head or need guidance and support as you tackle the journey towards becoming a professional sculptor, I can be there for you. It could be a one-off session or on-going support. Email me for further details.