Introduction to Clay Figurative Sculpture
An introduction to sculpting the human form in clay, starting from basic proportion and armature-building through to a finished figurative piece. You'll learn how sculptors block in a pose, build up detail, and avoid the most common mistakes beginners make with proportion and balance.
What you'll learn
- Build a wire armature that supports a standing figure
- Block in accurate human proportions from reference
- Add anatomical detail — hands, faces, drapery
- Finish a completed figure, ready to fire or cast
Curriculum
Suggested pace: 5 weeks- 1
Building the armature
Week 1Build a wire armature that will actually support a standing figure's weight.
- 2
Blocking in proportion
Week 1Block in accurate human proportions from reference before adding any detail.
- 3
Building volume and mass
Week 2Add clay in large, simple masses first, resisting the urge to detail too early.
- 4
Anatomical detail
Week 3Add hands, faces and drapery with enough detail to read as intentional, not fussy.
- 5
Balance and pose
Week 4Check and correct balance so the standing figure doesn't look like it's about to fall.
- 6
Finishing for firing or casting
Week 5Prepare the finished figure properly, ready to fire or cast.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any experience for this?
No prior experience needed — this course starts from the basics.
Is this live, or can I go at my own pace?
Self-paced. There's no fixed class time — the weekly pace above is only a suggestion to help you plan.
What happens right after I enroll?
The course appears immediately in My courses, and the first module unlocks straight away.
Do I lose access if I don't finish right away?
No — once you're enrolled, the course stays in My courses and you can pick it back up any time.
