I’ve taken time out from writing the next figurative course – I had to as there is tree felling going on and the air loud with buzz saws and chippers = NOT music to recording ears!
So, I finally finished this new girl today! – she’s been lounging around my worktop for ages.
Experimented with adding jewellery chain onto the hip – and I like it!
I have only made the Contemplative Figures figures with natural, undyed fibres applied straight onto the form, unlike the Dancers that have a separately made decorative skin
I am playing with ideas for a colourful, textured skin for the larger figures.
Something like this perhaps?
Hmmm – an add-on for the Contemplative Figure course I think!
– where you will learn how to make a large contemplative sculpture using a wet felt method of sculpting.
These sculptures are inspired by the work of modern sculptors, such as Barbara Hepworth and Sir Henry Moore and others. You will have the opportunity to explore the work of these sculptors and, through a series of drawing exercises, create your own shapes.
The finished figure will measure about 16″/40cm – 20″/50cm in height, dependent on the shape and position.
This is an energetic process that involves manual shaping and felting, plus a sander and steamer to finish.
April 22nd – Welcome
April 24th – Week 1 An introduction to Sculpture
May 1st – Week 2 The Skeleton
May 8th – Week 3 The Musculature Part 1
May 15th – Week 4 The Musculature Part 2
May 22nd – Week 5 The Skin and Finishing
The Course is hosted by RUZUKU
Each weekly lesson is comprised of a range of activities to show you how to build your sculpture step-by-step. There are video instructions, text and images and downloadable worksheets for each activity.
Online teaching materials and resources are available to students for 6 months from the beginning of the class. The downloadable course material and PDF’s are yours forever.
There is an online course Discussion Forum where you can chat to me and fellow students, post comments and images and ask questions. I will respond to all comments and questions during the length of the course and while the online classroom is open – I am mindful that there is a lot of work to do and it may take some of you a little longer than the 5 weeks. As you will have full access to the videos, online class materials and Discussion Forum for 6 months, there will be plenty to time to work at your own pace.
I’ve been designing an online course for several months and it is finally published and I have lovely, talented students from several parts of the world working through it.
It has been a BIG learning journey for me and one I have really enjoyed.
There has been much to figure out when it comes to:
Small desk set up for close work
Large table set up
So….. I thought I would write a course about how I went about setting up mine and how I got round the problems I encountered along the way.
A point though – all the online course platform sites have their own excellent, and free, courses on ‘How to create your online course’. These are very good and will get you on your way. However there were lots of things I had to figure for myself…..
….for example:
When I filmed my first videos, on my iPhone, I could not see what I was filming – hence very often my hands migrated off the screen mid-demonstration! I discovered Mirroring Apps that let me view my video, on my Mac screen, while the iPhone did the actual filming – I could literally keep an eye on what I was doing! Eureka moment!
I’m hoping this course will help others, especially non-techie artists and craftsmen like me, to create their own online workshops and teach the world their amazing skills.
Would value some feedback!
I’ll post my views about the Course Platforms I have researched..
I have been looking back at the year, as I go through my accounts and plans for 2020. It’s been a significant year for my art practice, taking me on a different and very exciting path!
Felt bowl workshop Mayfield School – March
Experiment – Raku fired clay and fabric sculptures – April
Prism at Hoxton Arches May 29th – 9th June
Felt bowl workshop – August
Felt sculpture workshop – August
Prism at the RBSA Gallery, Birmingham UK – October 8th – 19th
Online course – Contemporary Dancer – a new venture! January 17th – 28th February 2020
…..and the next course I’m working on
It’s been a fantastic a year and I have met wonderful artists and felters along the way. I am looking forward to 2020 with new courses in mind, sharing a studio during the South East Open Studios, possible exhibition in Kuwait and workshop in the Netherlands and a big family wedding!!
Having fun making a Christmas Fairy from wire and wet felted wool on tulle … something to develop I think!
I have been making these figurative wet felted sculptures for over 10 years and people often ask me when, why and how, I started to make them – not the easiest question really!
Several thoughts though –
I have shown my figures at Prism and SDC exhibitions in London and Birmingham and have sold them in local galleries.
This year I made ceramic and mixed-media figures for the first time!
RBSA Prism 2019
I was asked to teach at Felters Fling 2019 – I had a wonderful time and met amazing felters and friends – and I realised that what I am doing, with wet felt sculpture, is very different and of interest as a new technique.
So….I am embarking on another new venture, to teach online! It’s been a huge learning curve for me and I have had a lot of fun finding out and mastering many skills and processes:
…and I have had a great group off Felter’s Flingers to trial the course with me – their advice and encouragement has been invaluable! Thank you, thank you xxxx
Maybe you’ll join me?
Friday 17th January till Friday 21st February 2020
Registration for the course is open!
This is an exciting online workshop where you will make a free standing figure 20″/50cm tall. You will learn a new, energetic wet felted process that has similarities to clay sculpting and can be easily adapted to make any shape or form.
The course is suitable for intermediate felt makers and will include simple hand sewing techniques.
The online classroom is hosted on RUZUKU – each lesson contains multiple videos, presentations and downloadable course information and worksheets to show you, step-by-step, exactly what to do in a simple, clear format.
Be on the first course……
Head over to my workshop page for more information:
Watch this space and please contact me if you would like to learn more about it and when, and where, to sign up!
This is an exciting 5 week online workshop that teaches you how to create a unique, figurative sculpture using wool fibres on a wire armature.
Each figure stands about 20″ / 50cm tall and is free standing on a small plinth.
Weekly lessons have presentations, videos and downloadable worksheets to show you step-by-step exactly what to do in a simple, clear format.
The process includes wet felting and has similarities to clay sculpting.
Practical lessons include drawing and research tasks that look at the anatomy of the body and movement in dance.
There is a Discussion Forum where you can chat to me and to fellow students and ask questions about the lesson content.
It’s amazing! – join me for the 5 week online week course and learn how to make your own fabulous dancer, full of movement and energy!
I will post more information about the course during the next few weeks!
Day 3 – cheating really as this is a sculpture just finished last year for the Prism exhibition in London!
