Age Requirement: 14+

Duration: 7 consecutive weeks / 2 hours per session

Price: £280

Course Description

Unlock your creativity in this immersive 7-week sculpture course, designed for both beginners and those eager to refine their skills. You’ll explore a range of hand-building techniques—pinching, coiling, slab construction, and sprig moulding—while experimenting with texture, surface treatments, and decorative methods.

Through guided instruction and hands-on practice, you’ll gain confidence in sculpting with clay, working on structured projects or bringing your own designs to life. Whether you're drawn to functional pottery or expressive sculptural forms, this course provides the skills, freedom, and inspiration to shape your artistic vision.

Course Outline

Week 1: Introduction to Sculpture & Basic Techniques

• Discover sculpture as an art form and explore different types of sculptural work.

• Get hands-on with pinching, coiling, and slab construction techniques.

• Small-scale sculpting exercises to build foundational skills and confidence.

Homework: Sketch design ideas for future sculptures.

Week 2: Slab Construction & Hinge Project

• Learn to roll, cut, and assemble slabs to create functional sculptures like boxes, trays, or vessels.

• Master the score and slip method for strong joins.

• Design and construct clay hinges, adding movement to your sculptural forms.

Week 3: Advanced Slab Techniques & 3D Forms

• Take slab-building further by creating complex multi-part sculptures.

• Use templates to explore 3D slab built forms.

  Week 4: Coil Building & Structural Forms

• Develop stability, balance, and smooth construction with coiling techniques.

• Learn how to create a template for enhancing your coil building confidence.

  Week 5: Sprig Moulds & Decorative Elements

• Learn to create sprig moulds to produce raised decorative details.

  Week 6: Surface Treatments & Finishing Techniques

• Experiment with sprig mould from previous week.

• Learn decorative techniques like applying underglazes or slips for added depth.

• Continue to work independently on personal sculpture projects.

Week 7: Creative Expression & Final Presentation

• Finalise sculptures before they are left to dry and clear-glazed by the tutor.

• Present your completed works, sharing your creative journey with peers.

Suggested Follow up Courses:

• Hand-Building: 2 Week Practice Block (Lvl 1)

• Hand-Building: 5 Week Course - Level 1 (The Basics)

• Pottery Wheel: 5 Week Course - Level 1 (The Basics)

• Pottery Wheel: 5 Week Course - Level 1 (Bowls)