For further information about classes, please contact Jim at: contactjim@artdog.info or (503)408-8241.

Syllabus for Basic Figure Class

The primary goal of this class will be to introduce you to the practical aspects of figure modeling and armature construction. I want to show you the steps involved in making a figure. You will learn to approach a model with a pair of calipers and take relevant measurements without terrifying or injuring them. I will also show you how to record and reduce those measurements for use in constructing the 15“ clay figure in oil-based clay that we will make in class. I am not concerned that you finish a high quality sculpture in the short time we have together in this class so much as I am that you understand the basic process involved in making an armature that will support your work.

There are a lot of ways to model a figure and different objectives for a piece require different materials and techniques. In this figure modeling class I will introduce you to several different methods of building an armature depending on the objective of the piece and the kind of clay used to make it. We will look at work by some contemporary figure sculptors and discuss the techniques and materials they use to make their sculpture.

1. Preparing the armature to support the clay
2. Establishing the reference points on the model
3. Measuring the model and recording the measurements on a sheet of paper
4. Technique for reducing the measurements to use in establishing support structure for the clay on the armature
5. Application of the clay to the armature
6. Establishing the reference points in the clay from the measurements recorded on the paper
7. Modeling techniques and tools