Explore
Clay Sculpture
Learn to make portraits and figures in clay
Unleash your creativity in
three dimensions with our comprehensive clay sculpture program
Our sculpture program provides hands-on experience, expert guidance, and a vibrant art making community for artists of all levels.
What you will learn
CLAY
BASICS
Learn how to bring the human form to life with clay. This course covers essential techniques for working with clay—from building armatures to modeling realistic anatomy—perfect for beginners and artists refining their skills.
SCULPTING
TECHNIQUES
Explore key clay sculpture techniques including blocking, proportion, gesture, and surface refinement. Learn to shape lifelike figures in clay with expert guidance, whether you’re starting out or sharpening your skills.
OBSERVATIONAL SKILLS
Train your eye to see like a sculptor. This course develops your ability to observe form, proportion, and subtle anatomical detail—essential for creating expressive, lifelike figures in clay.
ANATOMY
Build a solid foundation in human anatomy to enhance the accuracy and expression of your sculptures. Learn key skeletal and muscular structures to create more dynamic, lifelike figures in clay.
JOIN US TO LEARN A NEW ARTISTIC SKILL
Discover the art of sculpting the human form in clay. Whether you’re new to art or expanding your practice, this course equips you with hands-on skills to create expressive, three-dimensional works.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
portrait sculpture
Course Overview
This 10-week portrait sculpture class focuses on the study and creation of the human head and face in three dimensions. Students will learn essential techniques for sculpting accurate and expressive portraits by studying human anatomy, proportions, and facial expressions. The class emphasizes traditional methods, working from both live models and reference materials, and guides students through the process of sculpting a detailed, life-like portrait in clay.
Course Objectives
- Develop a deep understanding of the anatomical structure of the human head and face.
- Learn to observe and interpret the proportions and planes of the face in three dimensions.
- Master the technical skills required to sculpt a realistic and expressive portrait in clay.
- Explore methods for capturing character, expression, and emotion in sculptural form.
- Complete a finished portrait bust by the end of the course.
Course Structure
Week 1: Introduction to Portrait Sculpting and Materials
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Overview of portrait sculpture in art history and traditional methods.
- Introduction to materials: clay, wire, armature stands, and sculpting tools.
- Review of studio safety, workspace setup, and best practices.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Basic clay handling exercises: forming simple shapes to familiarize with volume.
- Introduction to the human head’s basic proportions using a simplified skull model.
Week 2: Armature Building and Basic Proportions
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- The importance of an armature for stability in portrait sculpting.
- Overview of the proportions of the human head, focusing on symmetry and balance.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Constructing a basic wire armature to support the clay head.
- Blocking out the head’s basic shape, focusing on overall size, proportion, and orientation.
Week 3: The Skull and Facial Structure
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Detailed study of skull anatomy and how the bone structure influences facial features.
- Breaking down the head into its planes: understanding how light and shadow fall on the face.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Sculpting a simplified skull as the foundation for the portrait.
- Refining the basic shape, focusing on the planes of the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline.
Week 4: Sculpting the Eyes
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Detailed anatomy of the eye socket, eyeball, and surrounding muscles.
- Understanding how to capture expression and emotion through the eyes.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Sculpting the eyes, paying attention to proper placement, depth, and size.
- Adding the upper and lower eyelids, refining the expression by adjusting subtle details.
Week 5: Sculpting the Nose
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Anatomy of the nose: cartilage, bone structure, and how it connects to the forehead and upper lip.
- Understanding different nose shapes and how they vary across individuals.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Sculpting the nose, ensuring the proper relationship between the nose and other facial features.
- Refining the bridge, nostrils, and tip of the nose, adding subtle details to match your reference.
Week 6: Sculpting the Mouth and Lips
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Anatomy and structure of the mouth, lips, and how they interact with facial muscles.
- The importance of capturing subtle expressions through lip shape and tension.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Sculpting the mouth and lips, focusing on proper proportion, symmetry, and expression.
- Adding detail to the corners of the mouth, philtrum, and the transition from lips to surrounding skin.
Week 7: Sculpting the Ears
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Anatomy of the ear: cartilage structure and common challenges in sculpting ears.
- Understanding the ear’s placement in relation to the head and how it affects the overall portrait.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Sculpting the ears, paying attention to their complex structure and correct placement.
- Refining details, such as the helix, antihelix, and tragus, ensuring they fit naturally into the portrait.
Week 8: Adding Hair and Final Surface Details
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Techniques for sculpting hair: creating texture, movement, and volume.
- Discussion on the role of surface details, such as skin texture, wrinkles, and fine lines.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Sculpting the hair, focusing on how it flows around the head and interacts with the facial features.
- Adding surface details like pores, wrinkles, and skin textures to bring the portrait to life.
Week 9: Refining the Bust and Overall Expression
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Review of facial expression: how small adjustments to features can change the overall mood of the portrait.
- Balancing the portrait: ensuring all features are harmonious and properly aligned.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Refining the portrait as a whole: adjusting proportions, balance, and expression.
- Making final adjustments to key features and polishing the surface in preparation for finishing.
Week 10: Final Touches, Finishing Techniques, and Critique
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Final adjustments and techniques for finishing the surface of the sculpture (smoothing, texturing, or polishing).
- Discussion on display options: bust bases, patinas, and preparing the sculpture for firing or casting (if applicable).
- Hands-On Practice:
- Finalizing and preparing the sculpture for presentation.
- Group critique and presentation: each student presents their finished portrait and receives feedback from peers and the instructor.
- Lecture & Demonstration:
This 10-week portrait sculpture class offers a comprehensive introduction to sculpting the human face, balancing technical mastery with creative expression. By studying both the structure and subtleties of the face, students will develop the skills to create detailed, lifelike portraits that capture the essence of their subjects. The course encourages both observation and artistic interpretation, culminating in a finished portrait bust that demonstrates a deep understanding of anatomy, expression, and form.
figure sculpture
Course Overview
This 10-week figure sculpture class focuses on the study and creation of the human form in three dimensions. The course emphasizes understanding anatomy, proportions, and the dynamics of the body, while also developing technical skill in sculpting from both observation and imagination. Using a live model for reference, students will explore classical techniques to create lifelike and expressive figures in clay, culminating in a completed full-figure sculpture.
Course Objectives
- Develop a solid understanding of human anatomy and figure proportions.
- Master basic and advanced clay handling techniques to sculpt the human figure.
- Learn to observe and interpret the live model, translating that into three-dimensional form.
- Build and refine an armature to support a full-figure sculpture.
- Create expressive, well-proportioned figure sculptures.
Course Structure
Week 1: Introduction to Figure Sculpting and Tools
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Overview of classical figure sculpture traditions and contemporary approaches.
- Introduction to materials (clay, wire, tools) and setting up a workspace.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Introduction to basic clay handling techniques.
- Sculpting simple geometric shapes to warm up and understand basic volume.
- Quick gesture studies using clay to capture movement and flow.
Week 2: Armature Construction and Proportions
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- The importance of an armature for stability in figure sculpting.
- Overview of human body proportions, using the head count method as a unit of measurement.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Creating a wire armature to support a half or full-figure sculpture.
- Positioning the armature based on a chosen pose or the live model’s pose.
Week 3: Blocking Out the Figure
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Techniques for blocking out the figure: focusing on volume, proportion, and overall mass.
- Discussion on proportion, gesture, and how to block out major body parts.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Sculpting rough shapes for the torso, limbs, and head, ensuring the figure’s proportions are accurate.
- Paying attention to large masses and their relationship to each other.
Week 4: Sculpting the Torso and Limbs
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Detailed study of the torso’s anatomy, including the rib cage, pelvis, and major muscle groups.
- Overview of arm and leg anatomy and how these limbs connect to the body.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Adding definition to the torso and sculpting the arms and legs, focusing on anatomical accuracy and proportions.
- Refining gesture and balance to ensure a natural, dynamic pose.
Week 5: Sculpting Hands and Feet
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- The structure and complexity of the hands and feet.
- Techniques for breaking down complex forms into simpler shapes and volumes.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Sculpting hands and feet, focusing on accurate proportions and gesture.
- Adding fine details such as knuckles, veins, and tendons to create lifelike hands and feet.
Week 6: Sculpting the Head and Face
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Detailed study of head anatomy: skull structure, facial proportions, and common landmarks.
- Discussion on capturing likeness and expression in portraiture.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Sculpting the head and face, paying attention to proportion and alignment with the rest of the figure.
- Adding facial details like eyes, nose, and mouth, ensuring expression and character.
Week 7: Refining Anatomy and Surface Details
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Refining body anatomy: muscles, skin folds, and fat distribution.
- Understanding how surface details like muscle tension and skin texture contribute to realism.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Fine-tuning the figure’s anatomy by refining muscles and joints.
- Adding surface details, including subtle textures, wrinkles, and skin folds, to enhance realism.
Week 8: Foreshortening and Perspective
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Study of foreshortening and how perspective affects the perception of proportions in figure sculpture.
- Techniques for sculpting figures in dynamic or complex poses that involve foreshortening.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Sculpting sections of the figure that require understanding of foreshortening, such as limbs projecting toward or away from the viewer.
- Refining the overall pose and adjusting proportions for a more dynamic presentation.
Week 9: Finishing Techniques
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Techniques for finishing the surface of a sculpture, including smoothing, texturing, and detailing.
- Discussion on the use of patinas, surface treatments, or preparing the figure for casting (if applicable).
- Hands-On Practice:
- Smoothing the surface of the sculpture or adding fine textures to give a polished, professional finish.
- Final refinements on small details like fingernails, hair, and clothing folds (if applicable).
Week 10: Final Touches and Critique
- Lecture & Demonstration:
- Final adjustments and preparing the sculpture for presentation.
- Discussion on presentation techniques, including base or pedestal options, and photographing the sculpture.
- Hands-On Practice:
- Completing any remaining details and preparing the sculpture for the final critique.
- Group critique and discussion, where each student presents their final sculpture and receives feedback.
This 10-week figure sculpture class is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in sculpting the human form. Through focused anatomical studies, hands-on practice, and the use of a live model, students will develop the skills necessary to create realistic and expressive figure sculptures. By the end of the course, students will have completed a full-figure sculpture that demonstrates a clear understanding of proportion, anatomy, and surface refinement.
Course Structure
SCHEDULE
THURSDAY 6-9PM FIGURE SCULPTURE
FRIDAY 10AM-1 PORTRAIT SCULPTURE
SATURDAY 5:30-8:30PM PORTRAIT SCULPTURE
SUNDAY 5-8PM FIGURE SCULPTURE
PRICING
PORTRAIT SCULPTURE … $550 – 10 WEEKS
FIGURE SCULPTURE ……$600 – 10 WEEKS
PORTRAIT SCULPTURE
$550 … 10 WEEKS
FIGURE SCULPTURE
$600 … 10 WEEKS
FAQ
What will I learn in the program?
You’ll learn to sculpt the human head and figure from life and reference, focusing on proportion, anatomy, gesture, and expression. Core techniques include working with clay, armature construction, observational methods, and classical sculpture principles.
Is this program suitable for beginners?
Yes! Our clay sculpture program is designed to support all levels. Beginners will learn foundational skills step-by-step, while more experienced artists can refine their technique and deepen their understanding of form and structure.
Do I need to know how to draw first?
Not at all. While drawing can help, it’s not a requirement. The course emphasizes hands-on, three-dimensional learning that builds your eye for volume and proportion through direct sculpting.
What materials are used?
Primarily oil-based or water-based clay, along with tools for shaping and detailing. We also work with wooden or wire armatures for structural support. A full materials list is provided upon enrollment.
Will we work from live models?
Yes, figure and portrait studies are done from life whenever possible. Working from live models helps train your eye to observe subtle shifts in anatomy, posture, and personality.
How long is the program?
Programs vary. We offer short intensives (1–2 weeks), part-time courses (8–12 weeks), and ongoing studio sessions for continued practice and development.
What kind of sculptures will I make?
You’ll create busts (head and shoulders), full figures, and gesture studies. Each piece builds on your understanding of the human form, expression, and artistic interpretation.
Do I get to keep my sculptures?
No — because the water-based clay sculptures we are making will not fired and will eventually crack or crumble. They’re intended as temporary learning studies, not permanent works.
If a student is really intent on bringing their unfired clay piece home then it must be removed from the armatures (property of the studio) and pay a fee of $15 for the clay. *Warning though, removing the clay from the armature involves cutting the piece, splitting it open and fusing it back together again. It’s a quite involved and brutal process.
Will we cast our sculptures?
The casting of the sculptures is not a part of the course. If students want, then they can scan and 3D print their works (this can be done in several different ways outside the studio).
What makes your program different?
We emphasize rigorous, traditional training in a supportive, studio-style environment. Our instructor is a practicing artists with deep knowledge of classical sculpture methods, and our small class sizes ensure you get personalized feedback.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Clayton Hudnall is an American painter and studio owner based in Singapore, where he’s been shaping the local art scene for nearly a decade. As the owner of Singapore Studio of
Realist Art, he focuses on portraiture and commissioned works, combining traditional techniques with a modern sensibility
He earned a Master’s degree in painting from the prestigious New York Academy of Art, and leverages this formal training to lead workshops and classes in drawing and painting for adults and teenagers. Through his studio, he not only creates in-depth artworks but also mentors emerging artists, nurturing a strong appreciation for classical realism in his students.
CONTACT
Ready to take your skills to the next level? Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced artist, our Portrait and Figure Sculpture Program offers a hands-on, in-depth experience in traditional sculpting techniques.
Join a supportive studio environment, learn from our expert instructor, and bring your artistic vision to life—one gesture, one plane, one form at a time.
Spaces are limited—enroll today and start sculpting with purpose.
