Join ceramic sculptor Iris Wilkinson for this 1 day workshop where you will use clay modelling tools and techniques to sculpt the body in clay.
Explore the human form in clay – fashion it from your imagination and explore different attitudes. Learn how to support your work and build a unique sculpture. Once complete, your finished piece will need to be air dried before firing by Iris. The materials charge includes clay and firing. Once collected, your clay torso can grace the garden or the house.
Please note there is a £15 material charge payable on the day to cover clay, materials and firing. (Apologies for the error in our printed brochure listing £20 instead of £15.)
Click on the title below to find a list of what you’ll need to bring PLUS a message from the tutor…
What to expect
Time at ArtisOn is designed to take you away from it all. We provide the environment, the time and the guidance you need to create. You can expect a warm welcome, skilled and friendly tutors and the chance to meet like-minded people keen to share ideas. You can even leave us to clear up the mess! There will usually be two workshops going on and we encourage everyone to mingle and be nosey about what the other workshop is up to.
We encourage you to arrive at 9.30am. This will allow time to meet other participants over a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits before beginning workshops at 10am. There will be a mid-morning break for refreshments and a chance to talk over progress with others. Lunch is usually around 12:45 for about 45 mins – you can expect a delicious homemade 2 course lunch. There will be a further afternoon break with tea or coffee and cake. All food and refreshments are included in the price of your workshop.
The finish time given is a target. There are occasions when the session may overrun so do let us know if you need to be away promptly.
We aim for your day to be a real treat. You could always learn a new skill in a shed or a draughty village hall with a curly sandwich, but we want you to have more fun than that! So we make sure we provide a day where you will be looked after, with good food, good company and great inspiration!
What you’ll need to bring with you
MESSAGE FROM IRIS:
"Hello Everyone
I am looking forward to meeting you all for your workshop. To get the most out of the day you should give some thought as to what you would like to make. The constraints of a day workshop mean that time is of the essence, so you should make a decision as to whether you wish to make a torso or a full figure beforehand so we can get straight to making. You will need to keep your figure under 30 cms approx. and the design needs to be relatively simple and contained to ensure a safe transportation and firing of the work back in my studio.
Please see photos below to give you some inspiration. If you are able to do a little research on the internet on the human body in clay, that would be also be helpful. I will of course, provide you with a starting point if you are unable to decide what to make. Some artists to search for include Philip Elgin, Claire Curneen, Christie Brown, Linda Kieft and Shelley Wilson. Please be aware that your pieces will be unglazed, they will fire a buff colour, but it will be possible for you to colour your pieces after they are fired if you choose and I will discuss ways in which you can do this.
Looking forward to seeing you all, Iris"
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Everything else you need will be provided.
If you have sources of inspiration - photographs or sketches you'd like to bring, please bring them along.
It's a messy business though so please wear clothes you don't mind messing up or bring an apron.
Clay is very drying to work with so, if you have sensitive hands, some hand cream or barrier cream might be useful.
