Admit it: You've always wanted to be a sculptor.

Art school is too expensive, and you already have a day-job. This course  is a fantastic way to learn traditional sculpting techniques without the hassle of lugging your 20-pound project to the local art center and trying to get the foundations of Renaissance sculpture from someone who's a lot better at impressionist watercolors.

  • Learn to sculpt a portrait bust, the traditional first sculpture project.
  • Work in your home from easily obtainable, traditional, and inexpensive materials.
  • Start any time; work at your own pace.
  • Receive individualized constructive critiques based on your electronic photos. I have a lot of experience teaching and want to help you through the process best I can.
  • Course consists of 12 lessons.
  • Lessons are a combination of PowerPoint Slide Shows including masterworks and short movies with close-ups of me developing different parts of a portrait sculpture.
  • Pay by the lesson or by the course.
  • Contact Blake Ketchum if you're curious.

Syllabus

Lesson 1
    The Head in Volumes and Fundamental Anatomy of the Head and Neck

Lesson 2
    Research for Your First Portrait

Lesson 3
    Building the Armature

Lesson 4
    Blocking in the Dominant Volumes

Lesson 5
    Roughing it in: Eye Sockets, Ears, Nose

Lesson 6
    Looking at form: Fleshing it out

Lesson 7
    Hair

Lesson 8
    Introduction to Modeling Form

Lesson 9
    Resolving the Bust

Lesson 10
    Eggshell Molds

Lesson 11
    Casting in Plaster

Lesson 12
    Finishing a Cast

Course fees

  • $100 for  the course or pay $10 per lesson.
  • Fees include digital consultation about your work.
  • Little risk. Switch from the pay-per-lesson plan within completion of the first 3 lessons and pay the less expensive course fee.
  • Supply cost will vary regionally, but you should expect to pay about $50 in the continental U.S. in materials necessary to complete the course. Many of these materials can be used again when you make another sculpture.

What you'll need

  • A digital camera and ability to email those pictures.
  • A work station
  • Some tools from a craft store or you can order from Blake
  • Some low-fire clay available at many small ceramics shops and art organizations
  • Plaster of Paris
  • Liquid Murphy's oil soap
  • A sturdy lazy Susan
  • Two mirrors or a friend to sit for pictures and measurements.
  • A love for sculpture!