*schedule forthcoming
An
Improvisational Approach Through Form & Surface
with
Michelle Gregor
May 13-26, 2018
Michelle Gregor will demonstrate her
techniques of constructing the figure in clay. Improvisation within the
process of forming and surface development will be at the heart of this
workshop. Techniques incorporating gesture and chance will be explored.
Beginning with the creation of a
series of maquettes, participants will practice construction methods and
surface development. Various poses will be demonstrated and many possibilities
of describing the figure will be explored. Larger scale demos will illuminate
the artist's process and expressionistic approach, which incorporates attention
to mark making with a painterly sensibility, Explore and create using the
figure as a starting point for inspiration.
Sunday (5/13) Welcome Dinner
____________________________________________________________________________________
Monday (5/14) 9:30am-noon:
- “Experiments in Form” - fifteen-minute figure studies. These exercises will help students begin to construct the human figure from simple components and explore poses. We will discuss ideas such as contrapposto, groupings, and narrative. We will emphasize an experimental approach, manipulating your “first drafts” to discover movement, gesture and vitality. Preparing the clay for solid construction.
- “Experiments in Form” - fifteen-minute figure studies. These exercises will help students begin to construct the human figure from simple components and explore poses. We will discuss ideas such as contrapposto, groupings, and narrative. We will emphasize an experimental approach, manipulating your “first drafts” to discover movement, gesture and vitality. Preparing the clay for solid construction.
1pm-4:30pm: Artist’s Slide Presentation.
- The reclining and
seated figure- demo
-
Demo: Solid construction, a figurative approach. Massing and laying out
primary forms.
primary forms.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday (5/14) 9:30-noon:
Studio Exercise: Working with the Maquettes.
Thinking by doing, shifting poses, incorporating movement and gesture,
loosening up, avoiding pitfalls. Proportions.
- Hollowing and
preparing Marquette’s for bisque firing.
- Studio practice:
begin constructing a figurative sculpture using 10-15 lbs of clay applying the
methods of solid construction.
1pm-4:30pm:
Slide
presentation- the head and features through history
- Small head study,
focusing on the masses of the skull, proportions, and expression (in preparation
for press molding).
- ***Tonight!:
Please email michellegregor@gmail.com four images of
your own work and or work that inspires you to share with the group during
____________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday (5/16) 9:30am-noon: Demo: Hollowing and reassembly. Drying and firing
successfully.
-
Finish hollowing the maquettes in preparation for kiln firing.
-
Materials management: reclaiming clay without a pug mill
1pm-4:30pm:
Slide talk- the
figure through art history. Inspiration
and idea development.
- Mark making
- Studio Work: Finish sculpting the head. Begin sculpting a second
figure from 10-15 lbs of clay.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday (5/17) 9:30am-noon:
____________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday (5/17) 9:30am-noon:
Sketch Field trip
1-4:30pm:
-
Color and surface demo. How to use a variety of stains, glazes,
underglazes, underglaze pencils, etc. to build complex and layered surfaces.
underglazes, underglaze pencils, etc. to build complex and layered surfaces.
-
Create ceramic press molds from Tuesday’s head study.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Friday (5/18) 9:30-noon:
- Workshop artist’s slideshow. We invite
each workshop participant to speak about their artwork and inspiration.
- How to
fire sculpture: a discussion of drying, kiln schedules for bisque and
glaze firings. Brief overview of different firing techniques, temperatures and their outcomes. Special effects: lusters and decals.
glaze firings. Brief overview of different firing techniques, temperatures and their outcomes. Special effects: lusters and decals.
1pm-4:30:
-
Studio work: continue individual sculpture work.
-
Prepare maquettes for bisque firing.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday (5/19) 9:30-noon:
- Press Molds. Create multiples from press molds
for glaze testing.
-
Sculpting the human
hand.
1-4:30:
Studio Work: Continue sculpting, hollowing and
reassembling your projects
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Sunday (5/20) Free day. Bisque fire maquettes
____________________________________________________________________________________
Monday (5/21) 9:30-noon
- Demo: Achieving
larger forms: How to incorporate coil building with solid
construction.
construction.
- Studio Work:
Finish sculpting and hollowing solid built figures/groups
1-5pm
Special Guest
Demo by Francoise LeClerc ‘Animals and Armatures”
____________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday (5/22) 9:30-noon: Studio Work:
Coloration. Form and surface.
- Prepare bisque
fired work for Cone 5 firing
1-5pm
-
Studio Work. Finish sculpting and hollowing larger forms
____________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday (5/23) Excursion around Bali
____________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday (5/24)
- Developing the
Surface
- Load and fire
maquettes to cone 5.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Friday (5/25)
- Cracks and
their solutions! Repair, adhesives and colorants, the world of epoxy.
- Ideation, using
the sketchbook for developing ideas.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday (5/26)
- Class critique, share
work and ideas. Finishing work.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Please
note, we will make adjustments to this schedule as necessary.
RESOURCE LIST
Clay Bodies
Raku Sculpture Clay- highly refractory (high alumina) body.
Porcelain Slip
used during the workshop was made from trimmings of Coleman cone 10 porcelain
clay. Michelle uses this slip effectively on leather hard, bisque and even on
clay fired to cone 5 if applied thin.
Glaze
Michelle’s Cone 5 Barium Blue (use safety precautions – not food safe)
Michelle’s Cone 5 Barium Blue (use safety precautions – not food safe)
60 Nephaline Synite
30 Barium Carbonate
4 Lithium Carbonate
1 Zinc Oxide
Add 3-5% copper carbonate
30 Barium Carbonate
4 Lithium Carbonate
1 Zinc Oxide
Add 3-5% copper carbonate
Stains
*Dry stains can
be mixed into porcelain slip although this will opacify the color. *Stains can
also be added into transparent glaze formulas.
Always test in advance! Use safety precautions.
Always test in advance! Use safety precautions.
Ceramic Suppliers
– SF Bay Area
Clay People in
Richmond, CA 623 S 32nd St, Richmond, CA 94804 (510) 236-1492
Leslie’s Ceramic Supply/Aftosa, 776
Wright Ave, Richmond, CA 94804 (510) 524-7363
Clay Planet in
San Jose 775
Russell Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95054 (408) 295-3352
Epoxy
Use safety
precautions when using epoxy. Use rubbing alcohol for cleanup. Remove all
excess epoxy within the product’s working window.
PC 7 Epoxy. Grey
color with 24 hour set and approx. 1 hour working time. Good product for
repairing.
PC 11 Marine
Epoxy- White color (can tint with stains if desired) 24 hour set and approx. 1
hour working time.
Both PC 7 and PC
11 are available at hardware stores and home centers.
Magic Sculpt.
Two-part epoxy with clay consistency. Used to fill large areas. 24 hour set.
Can be tinted with stains.
Magic Smooth- Two
part epoxy. This is the more liquid version and is used to glue parts together.
One hour working time with 24 hour set. Can be tinted with stains.Magic
Sculpt and Magic Smooth are available from Douglas and Sturgess Sculpture
Supply 1023 Factory St Richmond, CA (510) 235-8411 also try TAP Plastics to
find this product.
Books and Online
Resources
Life Models
online resource http://www.artmodeltips.com/ Anatomy for the
Artist by Jeno Barcsay
Portrait Sculpting by Philippe Faraut
Anatomy for the Artist by Sarah Simblet
Portrait Sculpting by Philippe Faraut
Anatomy for the Artist by Sarah Simblet
Animals Pictorial
Archive by Dover Press
Julia Galloway http://juliagalloway.com/field-guide/chapter-10/resources-ceramics/
Julia Galloway http://juliagalloway.com/field-guide/chapter-10/resources-ceramics/
Building Solid
and Hollowing - Beth Cavener. Excellent description of the process.
http://w.followtheblackrabbit.com/material.htm
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