Masterclass in Portrait Sculpture

with Valentina Zlatarova

2nd - 7th March 2023, 1-7 pm

In this 6 consecutive days workshop, we will provide our participants with the full experience of the whole process of sculpting human portraits, from clay sketching, and modeling, to hollowing and attaching. Under the professional guidance of our master sculptor Valentina Zlatarova, you will learn how to sculpt a human portrait through photographs, understand facial anatomy in detail, have it fired as a ceramic portrait and take it home! 

This workshop is a great introduction to portrait sculpture for all levels of experience! 

  • *Open to all levels of experience
  • *Conducted in English
  • *Include all materials, tools needed and firing without glazes
  • *Maximum size of the portrait will be around 40cm height before firing
  • *Finished pieces can be collected after 5-6 weeks after the workshop

Workshop Schedule  - 6 Days Spontaneous Throwing Workshop

Day 1 (2nd March 2023)

  • Introduction of portraiture using examples throughout art history, looking through printouts, and setting up the group as well as individual goals.
  • Getting familiar with the armature and starting the block-in of the sculpture in clay.

Day 2 (3rd March 2023)

  • A brief introduction to facial anatomy and important anatomical landmarks, establishing "Truths". 
  • Working on the profile of the face, establishing the nose, and learning drawing in sculptural terms.

Day 3 (4th March 2023)

  • 20 minutes presentation on how to sculpt the mouth, establish the mask of the face, work on the lips, and start block-in of the eyes.

Day 4 (5th March 2023)

  • 20 minutes presentation on how to sculpt the eyes, refine the features, look for likeness and character, sculpt the hair, and finish touches.

Day 5 (6th March 2023)

  • Cutting and hollowing the sculpture.

Day 6 (7th March 2023)

  • Reassembly of the sculpture and final finishing touches (only surface detail work, all big changes should be made by the end of day 4)

*Please note, these are guidelines of what will be covered in the class, the teacher keeps the right to change the day-to-day program depending on the group's needs.

 Valentina's artworks

1 6

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