Figurative Sculpture

Introduction

Central to all our figurative sculpture courses are the concepts of Dynamic Energy Curves (DEC) ™ and the Rapid Sketch Technique (RST) ™ which are proven, and recognised methods developed by Andrew Sinclair MRBS, and are unique to The Sculpture School. The Sinclair Method ™ enables sculptors to accurately create the anatomy of the human form every time.  

Experienced sculptors find DEC™ and RST ™ takes their work to the next level and frequently say they wish they had learnt these techniques much earlier in their careers.

If you are a beginner, DEC ™ and RST ™ will be your foundation for creating sculptures true to the human form. More to the point you will be well on your way to achieving this goal by the end of your course.

Figurative Sculpture Workshop Level 2

A masterclass for the experienced sculptor, you will have already taken our Level 1 Figurative Sculpture Workshop. This course builds on the skills and techniques from our Level 1 course, especially with the emphasis on how measurements change once the body is in motion. Using our unique methods, you will learn how to breathe life and energy into a figure ‘in motion’.  From the initial design and construction of your armature, with a greater understanding of anatomy, Dynamic and Energy Curves ™, Design Criteria™, applying the clay using the Rapid Sketch Technique ™, working with accurate measurements, you will create a realistic human figure to scale, full of vitality and movement, taking your skills to a more professional level.  

Animal Sculpture

Introduction

The Sculpture School’s inspirational instruction will teach you how to create superbly proportioned animal sculptures – the start of a fascinating journey into sculptural zoology, anatomy and design. 

By the use of direct proportion and composition, you will create a beautifully balanced and convincing animal sculpture, using Andrew Sinclair’s proven sculpting techniques: The Sinclair Method ™. This four – day course gives you the ability to create a realistic animal sculpture, to scale, which you will take home to continue working on. 

Materials included in the course fee: wire animal armature and base-board, clay for sculpting, course reference manual, digital reference charts.

Animal Portrait Sculpture

This Animal Portrait workshop offers a unique approach to animal portraiture that captures the individuality of the animal. You will learn how to create a generic animal face through Andrew Sinclair’s ground-breaking Design Criteria methodology. Once the essence of the animal has been understood and modelled in clay, the specific characteristics of your animal subject will be applied to your sculpture. This approach is so important; giving you a strong foundation on which to build your developing sculpture skills and techniques. It enables you to avoid just copying what you think you see, so you can create a beautifully seen animal portrait way beyond your expectations.

As with the human portrait head, animals have very specific Design Criteria ™ and this workshop will teach you the designs, proportion and anatomy of a selected group of animal heads. Working with our unique Sinclair Method ™, you will discover exciting sculpture skills: the Rapid Sketch Technique ™ for clay application, the importance of measurement, design and anatomy using our bespoke reference charts, enabling you to create a realistic animal portrait head to scale. For beginners, this is a course not to be missed and for professionals already working in the industry, this is your chance to upskill and expand your talent repertoire.

Why not book on to one of our Taste of Sculpture workshops and try your hand at sculpting in clay. We have one in June and one supporting Devon Open Studios in September.

This fascinating one – day sculpting experience will give you the opportunity to create some features of the human face in clay which you can take away with you at the end of the session.   

This will also be a great opportunity for you to take a look around our new purpose–built school, visit the studios and find out more about our Sculpture Workshops which run throughout the year.

This five-day workshop is designed for you to learn about bronze casting using the lost wax process using ceramic shell. Bronze casting expert David Snoo Wilson will be bringing his ‘Travelling Foundry’ to the school along with his knowledge and expertise to inspire you.

Whatever your previous experience or skill level, David will guide you through all the intricate processes, enabling you to master the techniques of this specialist art, which dates back to the Romans.

This introductory Bronze casting course is very fast paced and a time intensive process so you are advised to bring a hand-sized item or smaller with you to cast into bronze. You are welcome to bring your own moulds, otherwise we will be using a wax-like clay to sculpt with.