Fast Figures: Gesture Sculpture in Clay

Figurative sculptors such as Michelangelo, Bernini, Degas and Brancusi all made quick studies in preparation for their larger work. They employed time honored methods to understand the figure in the round, to work out composition and for pure idea generation. The resulting figures are often appreciated today as more dynamic, expressive and compelling even than the finished sculpture.

In this two day workshop we learn many of these largely forgotten approaches for thinking in clay and other media. We work from the model to develop quick studies that can stand on their own, or be the foundation for later work. This class is a must for serious students of the figure and a great introduction to figure sculpture for beginners.