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Sculpting the Human Form in Clay
SOLD OUT
$675
USD
Stephen Saxenian
INSTRUCTOR
November 19th-23rd
DATES
10:00AM - 5:00PM
TIME
All levels welcome
LEVELS/AGES
DEADLINE TO APPLY
We are excited to announce our first sculpture workshop at NSMA, led by local sculptor Stephen Saxenian. This five-day figure sculpture workshop will immerse students in the rich, timeless and captivating endeavor of sculpting the human form in clay. The workshop aims to provide students with methods and resources that support skill development, understanding and artistic growth.
Working with a live model we will sculpt a one-third life-size standing figure in distinct stages, drawing on traditional methods for analyzing a pose, making observations, taking key measurements and establishing proportions. Early on, we will block the major skeletal masses of the body in order to create a sound foundation that is both balanced and gestural. Throughout the week we will examine essential structural and anatomical relationships of the human body in order to reinforce our observations and guide our sculpting. Students will be supported by lectures, demonstrations, class discussions, and critiques. The spirit of this workshop will encourage questioning, the sharing of ideas, and appreciating the process of sculpting from life.
Beginners as well as experienced sculptors are welcome.
Unique to this workshop at NSMA, your classes are set against the serene backdrop of rural New England in late autumn, with access to the museum’s inspiring collection and surroundings throughout the week. A private dinner will be hosted at the museum during the workshop for all attendees, Steve, and the NSMA team.
The combined cost of clay and armatures ($125) is included in the workshop tuition.
Note: We will sculpt in plastilina, an oil-based clay, that does not harden and can be worked on indefinitely. It is not expected that students complete a fully finished figure by the end of the workshop. Molding and casting of work is not included but resources for doing so will be shared.
SCHEDULE
Day 1: Demonstration, Discussion of Method: Sculpting a small clay sketch, a maquette, at one-sixth scale for practice. Individual work and guidance.
Day 2: Demonstration: Begin working at one-third life-size. Posing armature, taking measurements and blocking in of the major masses, the pelvis, ribcage and skull to establish gesture and balance. Techniques for observing. Individual work and guidance.
Day 3: Demonstration: Building contours and modelling form. Contrasting muscles/soft tissue with bone. Using center line and symmetry to guide work and solve problems.
Individual work and guidance.
Day 4: Demonstration: Modeling the head. Individual work and guidance.
Day 5: Demonstration and discussion to address ongoing questions. Indiviual work and guidance.
$675
USD
Materials: Cost of clay and armatures ($125) is included in the workshop tuition.
Sculpting Tools (For convenience, attendees can select an option upon registration for NSMA to purchase sculpting tools for them at an additional fee)
Please bring any sculpting tools you have. The following tools are recommended if you do not have similar ones.
Cheap paring knife or putty knife to draw straight lines in clay (NSMA will provide these to students, no need to purchase)
Reference Material
Edouard Lanteri, Modeling and Sculpting the Human Figure – strongly recommended for each student to have. We will use this book closely as a reference. It is the “bible” of many sculptors.
Dr. Paul Richer, Artistic Anatomy – an essential anatomy reference for all figurative artists of any medium.
Below is a list of recommended hotels in Amherst for residence during NSMA workshops. AirBnbs are also available closer to the museum in towns such as Shutesbury, Leverett, Orange, Athol, and Wendell, and can be cheaper alternatives to hotels. For both hotels and AirBnBs, we recommend booking far in advance for better prices and to secure your spot. For more guidance on housing options, contact info@newsalemmuseum.com
A love for modelling clay coupled with a deep interest in drawing and the natural world led Stephen Saxenian to representational and humanist sculpture. He approaches his work with honesty and finds beauty and meaning through form and gesture. He is inspired by the vital figurative art of master sculptors and draftsmen, such as Rodin, Houdon, Raphael and Tiepolo. A lifelong educator, he brings to his students a wide range of approaches, seeking to learn and grow himself, and to inspire others in kind.
Saxenian studied figurative sculpture at Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. An elected and award winning member of the National Sculpture Society, his work appears in both private and public collections. He works from his home studio in Western Massachusetts.
Sculpting the Human Form in Clay
$675
USD
SOLD OUT
$675
USD
We are excited to announce our first sculpture workshop at NSMA, led by local sculptor Stephen Saxenian. This five-day figure sculpture workshop will immerse students in the rich, timeless and captivating endeavor of sculpting the human form in clay. The workshop aims to provide students with methods and resources that support skill development, understanding and artistic growth.
Working with a live model we will sculpt a one-third life-size standing figure in distinct stages, drawing on traditional methods for analyzing a pose, making observations, taking key measurements and establishing proportions. Early on, we will block the major skeletal masses of the body in order to create a sound foundation that is both balanced and gestural. Throughout the week we will examine essential structural and anatomical relationships of the human body in order to reinforce our observations and guide our sculpting. Students will be supported by lectures, demonstrations, class discussions, and critiques. The spirit of this workshop will encourage questioning, the sharing of ideas, and appreciating the process of sculpting from life.
Beginners as well as experienced sculptors are welcome.
Unique to this workshop at NSMA, your classes are set against the serene backdrop of rural New England in late autumn, with access to the museum’s inspiring collection and surroundings throughout the week. A private dinner will be hosted at the museum during the workshop for all attendees, Steve, and the NSMA team.
The combined cost of clay and armatures ($125) is included in the workshop tuition.
Note: We will sculpt in plastilina, an oil-based clay, that does not harden and can be worked on indefinitely. It is not expected that students complete a fully finished figure by the end of the workshop. Molding and casting of work is not included but resources for doing so will be shared.
SCHEDULE
Day 1: Demonstration, Discussion of Method: Sculpting a small clay sketch, a maquette, at one-sixth scale for practice. Individual work and guidance.
Day 2: Demonstration: Begin working at one-third life-size. Posing armature, taking measurements and blocking in of the major masses, the pelvis, ribcage and skull to establish gesture and balance. Techniques for observing. Individual work and guidance.
Day 3: Demonstration: Building contours and modelling form. Contrasting muscles/soft tissue with bone. Using center line and symmetry to guide work and solve problems.
Individual work and guidance.
Day 4: Demonstration: Modeling the head. Individual work and guidance.
Day 5: Demonstration and discussion to address ongoing questions. Indiviual work and guidance.
Materials: Cost of clay and armatures ($125) is included in the workshop tuition.
Sculpting Tools (For convenience, attendees can select an option upon registration for NSMA to purchase sculpting tools for them at an additional fee)
Please bring any sculpting tools you have. The following tools are recommended if you do not have similar ones.
Cheap paring knife or putty knife to draw straight lines in clay (NSMA will provide these to students, no need to purchase)
Reference Material
Edouard Lanteri, Modeling and Sculpting the Human Figure – strongly recommended for each student to have. We will use this book closely as a reference. It is the “bible” of many sculptors.
Dr. Paul Richer, Artistic Anatomy – an essential anatomy reference for all figurative artists of any medium.
Below is a list of recommended hotels in Amherst for residence during NSMA workshops. AirBnbs are also available closer to the museum in towns such as Shutesbury, Leverett, Orange, Athol, and Wendell, and can be cheaper alternatives to hotels. For both hotels and AirBnBs, we recommend booking far in advance for better prices and to secure your spot. For more guidance on housing options, contact info@newsalemmuseum.com
Meet your Instructor
Stephen Saxenian
A love for modelling clay coupled with a deep interest in drawing and the natural world led Stephen Saxenian to representational and humanist sculpture. He approaches his work with honesty and finds beauty and meaning through form and gesture. He is inspired by the vital figurative art of master sculptors and draftsmen, such as Rodin, Houdon, Raphael and Tiepolo. A lifelong educator, he brings to his students a wide range of approaches, seeking to learn and grow himself, and to inspire others in kind.
Saxenian studied figurative sculpture at Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. An elected and award winning member of the National Sculpture Society, his work appears in both private and public collections. He works from his home studio in Western Massachusetts.
A love for modelling clay coupled with a deep interest in drawing and the natural world led Stephen Saxenian to representational and humanist sculpture. He approaches his work with honesty and finds beauty and meaning through form and gesture. He is inspired by the vital figurative art of master sculptors and draftsmen, such as Rodin, Houdon, Raphael and Tiepolo. A lifelong educator, he brings to his students a wide range of approaches, seeking to learn and grow himself, and to inspire others in kind.
Saxenian studied figurative sculpture at Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. An elected and award winning member of the National Sculpture Society, his work appears in both private and public collections. He works from his home studio in Western Massachusetts.