Concrete figurative sculpture – Experiments Part 1

Posted on May 10, 2020 by mollywilliamsdesigns

I am logging my experiments with concrete on a wire armature. The figures are similar in shape to my Contemporary dancers.

Part 1. Part 1. – The first layer of concrete

Concrete mixture

1 part cement
1 1/2 parts sand
1/4 cup bentonite clay
Water with super-plasticiser

Initial thoughts:

I have had to shape the armature before applying the concrete – after which it will literally be set in stone and I won’t be able to adjust the shape in any way.
Concrete is less mouldable than clay – I will have to apply several thin layers to get the shape I want.
The loose concrete mixture blends with the yarns very well – will try a knitted fabric.

Next – Part 2.

New Online Course: Contemplative Figure -A Unique Felt Sculpture

Posted on April 16, 2020 by mollywilliamsdesigns

My New Online Course begins

NEXT WEEK

Wednesday 22nd April 2020

CONTEMPLATIVE FIGURE – A UNIQUE FELT SCULPTURE

£250.00

… A quick look at the course:

Learn how to make a large contemplative sculpture using a wet felt method of sculpting.

The 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 12″/30cm – 18″/45cm in height, dependent on the shape and position.

This is a very energetic process that involves manual shaping and felting, plus a sander and steamer to finish.

There are just a few places left on this small teacher led course

What my students say…..

‘ Thank you soooo much for providing this wonderful opportunity to follow your tutorial!!! Your videos, hand outs, and personal connection has been outstanding! ‘ Tina

‘I took a course with you and it was absolutely fantastic to learn these unique new techniques. I am a wet felter and the way that Molly has innovated wet felting techniques to create more sculptural forms (rather than using needle felting) is really interesting and opened up a whole new arena of possibilities for me for creating strong shapes – this is so innovative and exciting, thank you so much for sharing your way of working’ Mia Hartgroves

‘I loved the workshop. I am so glad we had the time to start to get to know each other. You have totally inspired me.’ Amy

Please contact me for more information:

Contemporary Dancer January Course update

Posted on March 18, 2020 by mollywilliamsdesigns

This January 2020 I was joined by 12 talented felt makers, from different parts of the world. Over the next 5 weeks they created a beautiful dancer -and I’m so proud of them all! WELL DONE!!!!

There was lots of great conversation and support on the Discussion Forum and here are some of the images of their dancers…

Sandra Barrett

Dassi Pintar

Susan Walker

Tanja Gawin

Figures of Fun

Kathy Clem

Cheryl Weighill

Sue Smorthwaite

As a teacher, the success of my students is the most important thing and I am delighted with the results. I hope to have more images soon as figures are finished and ready for their debut!

I also had lovely, very encouraging reviews of the course and these are just few – thank you all xx

Molly – thank you for such a wonderful course. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning along with you and the other class participants. I greatly appreciated the research and design aspects of this course – it goes beyond the making of just one object , into how to think about gathering inspiration, researching , planning through drawing and observation and using wool fibres as a sculpture. You have provided quick responses to questions , positive feedback and encouragement as well as added additional material. I am excited to work on my second dancer.

Cheryl

I want to say how much I love and enjoyed this course.

Mainly because you have encouraged us to research at the beginning of each of the chapters, I had used Pinterest before but never had realized how easy it is to do the boards as a way to brainstorm and come up with new ideas. Because of all the exercises that you encouraged us to do before we made our dancer, I am now more aware of people’s musculature in 3D. I must say that I have learned a lot. I am in a dance/aerobics class now and I can’t help looking at how people’s muscles move.

I have enjoyed your class because you showed us how to approach each of the new challenges in the chapters in a straight forward and easy way.

You have taught us the process. Thank you!

Kathy

…I had great fun doing your workshop. Since the advent of online workshops I’ve been taking them voraciously; they are such a fabulous learning platform in so many ways. They allow you to learn from amazing teachers all over the world, build a community of fellow learners across continents and time zones and provide you with ample time to play with new material in your own time, in your own workspace with your own stash at your fingertips.

I would like to thank you for sharing your technique and many years of experience with us so generously. Your technique is unique and opens so many new avenues for play and exploration. I would happily recommend your workshop to anyone.

Tanja

New Figurative sculpture course! April 2020

Posted on February 9, 2020 by mollywilliamsdesigns

A 5-week online course April 22nd – May 22nd 2020

– 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.

COURSE TIMETABLE

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

ABOUT THE ONLINE CLASSROOM.

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.

You will learn a truly new and unique process!

Join me to learn how to make your own beautiful sculpture….

Why did I start? Where am I now!

Posted on December 8, 2019 by mollywilliamsdesigns

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 worked figuratively since about 2005 and the first sculpture I made was for the final show of my BA Embroidered Textiles 2008. She is now a feature in my garden and it’s amazing how long she has endured through weather all year round!
If I hadn’t discovered wool fibres and felting I would work in clay – I love to mould and sculpt and shape and use the energy of my hands.
I had an idea to see if I could mould the wool fibres as I would clay – and it worked!!

: My degree show figure 2009

: Weathering for 8 years in the garden 2017

: The very first dance figures 2011

: The first contemplative figures 2012

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!

: Molly Williams felt sculpture

RBSA Prism 2019

Then, out of the blue…..

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:

Studio lighting
Filming
Talking and making at the same time!!!
Editing videos
Creating written content and illustrating handouts and worksheets
Finding the best course platforms and learning how it all works
Classroom discussion forums
Selling and marketing

…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

: Latest ladies

: Images from creating the musculature

Maybe you’ll join me?

MOLLY WILLIAMS TextileMatters

Online courses – Felt Sculpture – Ottoman design and research

Tag Archives: wet felt sculpture