Sculpting a portrait in clay is a very enjoyable process.
Alan Clarke is an inspirational, award winning sculptor. He uses traditional skills, close observation, and his own approach and philosophy. This is an opportunity to learn about portrait sculpture from a talented artist and experienced tutor. Sculpting is an engaging (all consuming) occupation, a mindful life skill and a creative process that taps into normally unused tactile senses. This workshop is suitable for all levels, including total beginners.
- Tutor, Alan Clarke
- 4, 5, 6 March, 2024
- 10.00 – 17.00 with an hour break at lunchtime, light lunch included
- £360/course
- Materials and equipment will be provided
- Suitable for all abilities
- Tea and Coffee provided throughout the day
- At Mottisfont Village Hall, Mottisfont, Romsey SO51 0LH
- Plenty of parking
This workshop is in conjunction with Melanie Legge, Sculptor. Any questions about the course should be directed to her: mel.a.legge@gmail.com
What to Expect on Sculpture, Life Size Portrait in Clay
Over three days participants will learn to sculpt a life size portrait working from a live model. All the appropriate techniques will be discussed and demonstrated, including basic head and neck anatomy, measuring, design, materials handling, surface finishing, etc. Alan will sculpt a demonstration piece alongside the participants, and discuss his own approach and philosophy.
Please note: Participants will have a finished sculpture at the end of the workshop but it will be in wet clay, and therefore delicate and quite heavy. If participants wish to preserve their work in the long term, it will need to be hollowed out and fired, or moulded and cast, Alan will advise on these processes but they are not covered in the workshop.
Materials and Equipment
Materials and equipment will be provided. Please bring an apron, or overall.
About Alan Clark
Alan Clarke is an award winning sculptor and illsutrator from Ireland.
His work is rooted in traditional skills and is informed by the guiding principles of Art. In the last few years his sculptures have been recognised with awards from The Society of Portrait Sculptors, The Art Renewal Centre, Artrepeneur, Beautriful Bizarre magazine, and Sculpture in Context. He is former chairman of the Illustrators Guild of Ireland and is the only ever Irish member of the Society of Portrait Sculptors. He is a drawing tutor at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin.
In recent years Alan has taught drawing and sculpture workshops in Ireland, Russia, Italy, the UK, and Germany. His illustration work has appeared in books that have been nominated at the Irish Book Awards every year since the inception of the awards, and won on multiple occasions, and in 2021 a large archive of his drawings were acquired by the National Library for inclusion in the National Collection alongside the work of Joyce, Heaney, Yeats etc.
He has just begun work on a major public art commission for Galway city centre in the west of Ireland.
For more information about Alan Clarke: