Level 1 | Portrait Sculpture Masterclass with Alan Clarke | 3 days
Over three days, Friday 14th - Sunday 16th November, 10am - 4pm, we welcome Alan Clarke, who will teach participants how to sculpt a life-size portrait from a live model. All the appropriate techniques will be discussed and demonstrated, including basic head and neck anatomy, measuring, design, materials handling, and surface finishing.
Alan will sculpt a demonstration piece alongside participants and share his own approach and philosophy throughout. Sculpting a portrait in clay is a highly rewarding process, and this workshop is suitable for all levels, including total beginners. All necessary tools and materials will be provided.
See course contents for bisque information.
Bio: Alan Clarke is a sculptor, illustrator and art educator. He was born into a family of artists, and first became a commercial illustrator, before gradually evolving into fine art and then into sculpture. From the beginning his work focused on the human form, in it's endless variety and complexity. Sculpting from life in clay, his work is energetic but sensitive. He combines a knowledge of materials and anatomy with and in-depth understanding of drawing, design, and three-dimensional form. He has worked and taught in studios in Italy, England, Spain, Portugal and Russia. His award winning work has been exhibited all over the world, and a large archive of his drawings is held in the national collection in Ireland. He gives regular sculpture workshops both nationally and internationally, and is a tutor of drawing fundamentals at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin.
Level 1 | Foundational Skills
For more information on our course levels see our Levels Guide
Course Schedule
Course Contents
FAQs
What is your cancellation policy?
To request a cancellation and refund, you must email refunds@throwingshapes.ie. Refunds requested more than two weeks prior to the first class are fully refundable. There will be no refunds after this point under any circumstance, nor can we transfer you to another class. Unfortunately we cannot be flexible on this policy for any reason. Should a class not fill sufficiently, we may cancel or reschedule it one week prior to the first class session.
What if I miss a day of my course?
If you miss a day you will not be able to make it back. you must be able to attend each week/day of the same course. You cannot transfer days or make up time. Please check you are available for every date before booking your course.
Are there any additional fees?
No - everything is included in your course. If you'd like to buy your own toolkit you can at checkout when purchasing your class, but tools will be provided either way.
Can I sign my kids up for classes?
No, all students must be 18+ to attend classes.
Can I gift a class to someone?
Of course! You can book them an available class and add their name on checkout, or purchase a gift card for them to decide on their own class.
Can I fire and glaze my own work?
For our taster classes you pick a glaze and we glaze the work for you.
For our 6 week courses you pick 5 of your favourite pieces and glaze them on your 6th week.
For our weekend 2-Day or 3-Day courses you will return 4 weeks later to glaze your own work. You will be notified of this date after you have booked the course.
If I don't see any classes available - when will they be added?
We add new blocks of classes three months in advance of classes starting.
Can I join a waiting list for classes?
Yes you can! Our waiting list works per date - so please go to a date or course you'd like to attend if it became available. You can sign up there and you will get notified if there are cancellations
Can I prebook classes for the next block before they are released?
No, classes are available on a first-come first-served basis and can not be prebooked.
Can I switch between a class our course if my availability changes?
This is subject to availability. You can email info@throwingshapes.ie to see if we have anything available to switch to. If we do not your spot will be cancelled according to our cancellation policy (above).
T&Cs
• All students must be 18+ to register for classes.
• All levels welcome, from beginner to expert. 6-9 people per class. Should a class not fill sufficiently, we may cancel or reschedule it one week prior to the first class session.
• To request a cancellation and refund, you must email refunds@throwingshapes.ie. Refunds requested more than two weeks prior to the first class are fully refundable. There will be no refunds once the class begins in any circumstance, nor can we transfer you to another class.
• For multiple day courses, you must be able to attend each week of the same course. You cannot transfer days or make up time. Please check you are available for every date before booking your course.
• For courses or classes on Mondays - we run through bank holidays from the start date of the course unless otherwise stated.
• If you would like to gift a class you can enter the attendee's name at time of booking or send an email to gifts@throwingshapes.ie.