Introduction to Clay Figurative Sculpture

Get to know Cristina Córdova as she explains her background in sculpture and ceramic art. She also shares details of the fellow artists who inspire her and how their work influences hers.

Familiarize yourself with the slab building method as Cristina gives you an overview, then look at the materials and tools needed for the course. Next, prepare your sculpting workspace, and hear Cristina’s advice on surfaces, lighting, and how to keep it clean. Finish your preparation by understanding the role of templates in the structural process. Then, print, cut, and assemble the templates for your piece.

Begin working with your clay. First make your flat slabs and cut them using your templates from earlier. Then, delve into anatomy as Cristina shows you how to use your slabs to structure and shape the upper torso and neck of your bust. Move on to the most intensive part of the process: the sculpting of the head. Learn the breakdown of proportions with generic measurements, and how to develop expressive facial features.

Discover how to assemble your parts to build a sculpture with character and a strong gesture, by using a mix of diagram references and experimentation. Cristina also teaches you to use a joining slip to attach your components, and how to sculpt over the transitions to create a cohesive, flowing composition.

Use fresh clay to build upon your sculpture, and carve the details and contours that will bring it to life and make it unique. Refine, smooth, and clean the surface of your piece using cloth and brushes to create the illusion of skin. End the course by preparing your bust for firing following Cristina’s advice and guidance.