The Clay Portrait: Capturing Character in Clay – Beginner -3 hour weekly classes, Thursdays

Description

Class Length: 5 weeks, 6pm-9pm each Thursday, beginning November12th
NO CLASS ON NOVEMBER 26th, LAST Class is December 17th

Skill Level: Beginners

Tuition: $200 (+ $65 materials fee)

Class Description: What makes a face recognizable? Is it the shape of the nose, the tilt of an eyebrow, the curve of a cheek—or something deeper?

In this five-week hands-on class, we’ll explore the art of portraiture in clay, learning how to translate the human face from reference into a three-dimensional form. Whether you’re fascinated by realism or more interested in capturing personality and expression, this class will give you the tools to approach the portrait with confidence.

Over five weeks, we’ll break down the portrait into manageable pieces, exploring proportion, facial anatomy, structure, expression, and surface. You’ll learn how to build and refine a clay portrait while developing an understanding of how subtle changes in form can completely transform a likeness.

We’ll work from photographic references and explore techniques for creating everything from a carefully observed likeness to a more expressive or stylized interpretation. Along the way, we’ll discuss what makes a portrait feel alive—and why capturing someone’s character can be just as important as capturing their features.

No portrait experience is necessary! This class is designed for students who are comfortable working with clay and ready to try something new. Come prepared to get your hands dirty, look closely, and discover just how expressive a lump of clay can become.

Age Limitations: Ages 16 & Up

Supplies Included: Tuition covers clay, firings, and use of communal tools and equipment.

Additional Supplies: Each student will need their own basic ceramic tool kit to get started. We have these available for purchase at the art center for $30 but we recommend you purchase prior to day one of class when we are open to the public, otherwise please bring cash with you to hand to the instructor. Please also provide your own apron and a personal hand towel to each class (We don’t use paper towels in this facility and we don’t do laundry!) Your instructor will email you prior to class with other suggested tools.

Teachers: Deb Balestreri

Seating Limit: 8

Course Registration Policies – PLEASE READ FULLY TO UNDERSTAND OUR CANCELATION POLICIES