Introduction to sculpture; addition, reduction and transformation

A practical introduction to sculpture. You will be taught to consider sculptural form from its first principles, whilst exploring a range of materials. From thinking about simple shapes to understanding the complexity of composition, you explore adding, taking away and transforming materials to create a number of small sculptures.

Ability: Beginners
The minimum time required to watch and respond to the video content and complete the tasks is 6 hours. The tutor also recommends how you can develop your work further so that you can continue to use the skills acquired on this course for future projects. Six months of online access to all of the course content.

Learn more about gift vouchers.

Introduction to tutor Jon Edgar and workshop overview

Getting started

Introduction to sculpture
Materials and set up for working, tools and health and safety

Workshops

Sculpture by addition - working from the imagination
Sculpture by reduction - developing three dimensional composition
Sculpture through transformation - creating a sense of movement

Review and ideas going forward

Further information and resources

Course includes:

Access to our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with course content
A series of instructional videos to work through and repeat at your own pace
Practical tasks to complete
Helpful materials suppliers list
Student online gallery where you can post images of your work for tutors to review and comment on
Support from the college and tutors via email should you need it during the course
Additional notes and ideas

You will need:
Tools

Ribbon clay tool
A simple household steak knife
An old hacksaw blade (taped at the end so you can hold it safely)
Water sprayer bottle
Black plastic sack or a plastic carrier bag
Snips
Abrasive paper – coarse to fine
Rifflers (optional)
Cheese wire (for cutting clay -optional)
Simple wooden stick: Find prepared/planed wood with a section 10x20mm or similar proportion. Form a work stick by choosing a length from 150mm up to 250mm and safely cutting the ends at 45 degrees on each of profiles, so you have two different tools. For larger clay work, you may wish to find larger dimensions but the two ends will give you different tools. You may also wish to experiment with making the angle more acute - i.e. less than 45 degrees.

Materials

Sculpture Body Clay, a 10kg or 12.5kg bags. We recommend a sculpture body clay like Red Marl or terracotta - it has more structural fine material in it but feels smooth to work. One bag will give you plenty for this course and some over, which will keep forever if you wrap it well and keep the air out
Bar of soap - ordinary household soap
Sculptural aluminium wire; square section from 3-5 mm

and/or

Narrow galvanised wire - 2mm round diameter
Soapstone (chunks not slabs) - around 10-20 cm each side, weight 1-2 kilos

Have a question? Read our FAQs.

Write your awesome label here.

Jon Edgar is a British artist who uses improvisation in his practice, which often tends to the figurative and was influenced by his training at the Frink School of Sculpture. His exhibitions include Yorkshire Sculpture Park and London’s Tower 42. His large, publicly-located, stone sculptures (at Lewes, Horsham, on the South Downs and in the Surrey Hills) are carved in their final locations and influenced by both people and place while they are worked; they also contribute to the developing agenda for community creative practice and sustainable design.

Jon also works in clay from life, notably through hundreds of terracotta portrait heads, many documenting people connected with public life, such as scientist James Lovelock and writer Richard Mabey, part of the ‘Environment Series’ of heads. The developing ‘Collaborative heads’ involve entire communities in guided observation around a community figurehead.
Jon has taught and lectured in degree level programmes and bespoke courses such as at UEA’s Sainsbury Centre, and has been involved with West Dean College’s educational programmes for 15 years.

Sign up and be the first to know about new online courses, special offers and creative inspiration.

I consent to receive emails from West Dean

Thank you!

Introduction to sculpture; addition, reduction and transformation

Tutor

Jon Edgar

Course content

Sign up for our newsletter