Ref: SWE35651
In this course you will be creating a portraiture piece of your chosen animal. This will take the form of a suspended piece using armatures or built from a slab base.
Techniques such as coiling and slab building will be covered in this course, with a focus on capturing expression in your chosen animals facial expression and features. In the first evening you will work on some drawing exercises as well as maquette activities to provide a foundation for your portrait.
The course will cover basic hand-building skills as well as more advanced techniques. It is suggested that you choose animals ranging from pets and farm animals to indigenous and exotic wildlife.
You are advised to bring reference images and sketches, including different angles. If time allows by the second day, you may create a smaller piece suitable for hanging on the wall. This project will help enhance your skills and knowledge in working with clay in a hollow form.
Bisque firings will be covered in this course. Optional decorating sessions can be scheduled and booked separately at the college. Alternatively, you may choose to decorate your piece elsewhere.
All clay and firing if work is left at the College for biscuit firing. (Large work in size and quantity may be charged extra.) may be charged extra.
Available from shop: A good selection of art materials, sketchbooks Modelling tools
Firing and Glazing Options:
Leave any raw, finished pieces that you wish to keep for biscuit firing by the College, for collection within six months.
Take away your unfired sculpture for firing and decorate elsewhere.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes). possible equipment restrictions in tutor absence.
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential
Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed
Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required
Jack Durling is a ceramic animal sculptor based in Brighton. He studied at Brighton University in 2014 and has run workshops with Blind Veterans UK and several educational facilities. He is currently working with Maidstone Borough Council to create a permanent public sculpture and is a David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation shortlisted wildlife artist in 2022.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study.
Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.
