THE BASICS

SCULPTURE IS A NATURAL CREATIVE ABILITY ENJOYED BY HUMANITY SINCE THE EARLIEST TIMES. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A POTENT AND LONG-LASTING WAY OF EXPRESSING  FEELINGS, PERCEPTIONS, THOUGHTS AND ASPIRATIONS. 

IT IS AN IMMENSELY PLEASURABLE ACTIVITY, WHICH COSTS LITTLE, YET PRODUCES A TANGIBLE AND SPIRITUAL PRODUCT.  IT TEACHES US TO SEE, TO REALLY SEE THE LINES AND FORMS AND TEXTURES OF OUR LIVES AND OUR ENVIRONMENT.

 

MATERIALS INCLUDE

SELF HARDENING CLAY, PLASTICENE, WAX, CEMENT BLOCKS, SANDSTONE, COPPER AND SOME NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC RESINS AND STONES ARE ALL EASILY WORKED. WIRE, REEDS, BAMBOO, SCRAP WOOD AND OBJECTS TROUVE CAN ALL BE USED. 

THE ONLY RESTRICTION TO MATERIALS, TOOLS, PATTERNS OR FORMS IS IN YOUR MIND.

CARE, HOWEVER,  SHOULD BE GIVEN IN CHOOSING APPROPRIATE MATERIAL TO ENSURE PROJECT IS NOT OVER-AMBITIOUS.

ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON LOW RELIEF PATTERNS OR SIMPLE 3-D SHAPES.

 

TOOLS

A SIX INCH NAIL FOR BEGINNERS. ADVANCED SCULPTORS MAY NEED SOME OLD CUTLERY AND RUSTY TOOLS TO COPE WITH MOST PROJECTS.

CLAY, LATEX, SILICON VINYL AND PLASTER ARE POPULAR MOULD MAKING MATERIALS AND EACH HAS IT’S APPROPRIATE APPLICATIONS. MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS MUST BE RIGIDLY FOLLOWED FOR SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL MOULD MAKING.

A VARIETY OF METALS. PLASTERS, RESINS CAN BE USED TO PRODUCE HIGH OR LOW TEMPERATURE CASTINGS. THE MATERIAL CHOSEN SHOULD BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE MOULD AND ABLE TO ACCEPT THE FINAL FINISH.

FINISHING AND MOUNTING

WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED AND DEMONSTRATED. WIDE VARIETY OF PAINTS, LACQUERS, WAXES, RESINS, DIPS AND PATINA PRODUCING CHEMICALS ARE AVAILABLE TO ENHANCE THE WORK. THOUGHT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE CHOICES AT THIS STAGE AS THE CORRECT ONE WILL ADD A GREAT DEAL TO THE PERCEIVED QUALITY OF THE WORK.

SAFETY

CARE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN THE CHOICE OF MATERIALS. HOWEVER CARELESSLY INHALING DUST, SAND OR PLASTER AND TOUCHING THE EYES WITH DIRTY HANDS CAN TURN THE MOST INOFFENSIVE MATERIAL INTO A HAZARDOUS ONE. THE USE OF GLOVES AND EYE AND NOSE PROTECTORS IS OBLIGATORY AND ARE PROVIDED.

PLEASE ASK IF IN DOUBT!

 
MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, THE WORKSHOP WILL DEMYSTIFY SCULPTURE AND UNLOCK THE SCULPTOR IN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. IT WILL POINT OUT SOURCES OF INSPIRATION AND TEACH CLOSE OBSERVATION AND THE APPRECIATION OF NATURE.