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Workshops

Character Heads in Clay Workshop with Paul Brown RBSA.

Design and sculpt your own characterful face in clay. Using a variety of sculpting techniques, learn to create features and expressions with a range of tools and modelling methods.

Age group and abilities to be taught        

  • 18 years and above
  • Suitable for beginners and those with more experience

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

  • Learn the basic sculpting methods to create a head and features in clay
  • Students will learn how to handle clay, creating a simple block shape onto which they will sculpt a head and face
  • Learn how to use a range of sculpting tools and techniques to create features, texture, and expression

Course outline

Morning activity 

  • Introduction and examples
  • Create basic shape in clay
  • Begin to build up simple features and expressions

Afternoon activity

  • Review progress
  • Refine features, look at embossing and texture
  • Discussion as to possibilities for hollowing and firing work

What you need to bring with you:

  • Reference images of friends, family, or any other inspirational images of faces
  • Plastic box, tray, or board for transportations of finished work
  • Plastic bags
  • Apron
  • Any pottery of sculpting tools

What we will provide:

  • Wooden boards
  • Clay
  • Sculpting tools
  • Range of stamps for embossing/creating texture
  • Examples of tutor’s work for reference

Methods of assessing outcomes

  • Discussion of workshop with workshop tutor and fellow students
  • Completion of evaluation form

Booking information

  • To book please use the ticketing system below. Alternatively, please call the Gallery on 0121 236 4353 during opening hours to book over the phone. Bookings can also be made in person at the Gallery.
  • Booking is essential. Payment in full is required at the time of booking to secure a place.
  • Payments are non-transferable and non-refundable.
  • Places are limited to 10 people per workshop unless stated otherwise. Allocation will take place on a first-come first-served basis.
  • All workshops run from 11.00am – 4.00pm with a 40 minute lunch break, unless otherwise stated. Tea and coffee will be provided, participants need to provide their own lunch.
  • Please inform the RBSA Gallery when booking of any health conditions or additional needs as some workshops might not be suitable.
  • A valid student ID must be provided to receive a student discount.

Cancellation Policy

  • If you, the customer cancels your booked workshop, we are unable to offer you a refund.
  • Transfers to an alternative workshop may be possible depending on the circumstance and is at the discretion of the RBSA Gallery.
  • In the event of under-subscription, workshops may be cancelled or re-arranged. We will give you as much notice as possible if this happens and you will be able to transfer to another course or receive a full refund. The RBSA is unable to refund additional expenses, such as travel and accommodation.
  • If you are booked on a workshop and do not attend on the day, a refund will not be given.

Continual Professional Development (CPD) and Copyright

  • We welcome bookings from people attending for Continual Professional Development (CPD). However, our workshops are not designed as CPD. If your employer is paying for the course or you require more details about what you expect from the course, please contact the Gallery in advance before booking.
  • The workshop content and any information provided (e.g. handouts, guidance notes, etc.) are the intellectual property of the artist delivering the workshop. They should not be used or reproduced without permission from the artist (e.g. copying handouts to use in any classes workshop attendees might deliver themselves afterwards). 

Other information

  • The workshop will take place in the RBSA Gallery, floor 1. The space will be closed to visitors and will only be used by workshop attendees. However, staff and volunteers will need to walk through the space at various points in the day to access the staff office, which is located on the same floor.
  • Attendees can leave their materials in the workshop space during their breaks but the RBSA will not be responsible for any loss or damages.
  • Please bring a packed lunch. Alternatively, there are a number of cafés and sandwich shops within walking distance of the Gallery.
  • Please bring an old shirt or apron to help protect your clothing.
  • The continuous redevelopment work in the city centre has caused increased traffic, delays, and diversions in and around the City Centre. Therefore, please allow yourself plenty of travel time, plan your route, and check your parking arrangements.
  • If you are travelling by car, please ensure your car is clean air zone compliant, or charges may occur.