Scottsdale Artists' School
Program Detail

Figurative Sculpture

Location: Scottsdale Location
Room: TBD

Nov 15-19, 2010

Meets 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
on Mon Tue Wed Th Fri

Tuition: $585.00
Model Fee: $35.00


Level: INT-Professional

Status: This program is completed
Vala Ola will take you through the process of creating a figurative sculpture that is suitable for casting in bronze. The clay figure will be one-third life size in a creative pose. The focus will be on anatomy, curves and planes, bone structure, ribcage, contraposto, and balance. Special focus on the head: eyes, lips, hair, and tips on achieving likeness using calipers. Fleshy forms vs. defined muscles, using shadows, points of interest, leading the eye around, texture, lost edges, and drapery will also be discussed. Finally you will learn how to add your own personal twist to the pose. This class will also feature tips on working with foundries and galleries from artist Donald Clapper.
  • Daily demonstrations
  • Visit to Ola’s studio

Instructor -- Vala Ola
Vala Ola graduated from the College of Hamrahlid and furthered her studies at the Icelandic College of the Arts and The Arts Institute in Bournemouth, England. She has won many national awards and has been juried into the National Sculpture Society Show in NYC, the Art Renewal Center Salon and the Allied Artists Show in N.Y.C. She was voted a Professional Member of the National Sculpture Society. Vala’s work can be viewed in galleries in Santa Fe, Scottsdale, Palm Desert, Carmel, and Beaver Creek.

Required supplies for this program:
  • The figure created will stand two feet tall head to toe- 1/3 life-size supported by a pipe into the back.
  • CLAY: 16 lbs of oil based clay or 8 two pound cubes. Can be ordered from Ball Consulting or Sculpting House. Vala Ola uses herself Chavant Le Beau Touche clay, color green, grade of hardness: High Melt (HM). Other oil based clays will work fine too (avoid clays with toxic sulfur).
  • ARMATURE: 24' armatures are available for $40 or so, 1-800-225-2673 at Ball Consulting or at www.sculpturehouse.com
  • To build your own more staple armature (the figure itself is 2 feet tall) that can be adjusted to make room for a tall base and has an extra strong wire that can hold a second element you might want to add on to your figure later please bring:
  • From the hardware store:
  • 1 board 3/4' thick, approx. 16 x 12' (a white melamine particle board is easy to keep clean).
  • 1 floor flange 1/2' diameter.
  • 1 galvanized nipple (threaded pipe) 1/2' diameter, 10' long.
  • 1 galvanized nipple (threaded pipe) 1/2' diameter, 8' long.
  • 1 galvanized nipple (threaded pipe) 1/2' diameter, 4' long.
  • 1 union 1/2' diameter (a three part release for easy disconnection).
  • 1 crows feet tee (cross-shaped coupling) 1/2' diameter.
  • 4 screws, #10 x 3/4' long for the flange
  • Aluminum wires
  • Vala's personal preference is the "Almaloy Armature Wire" which is available from Ball Consulting 1-800-225-2673 www.ball-consulting-ltd.com or www.sculpturehouse.com .
  • 2 rolls or 40 feet of 1/8' aluminum wire.
  • 2 rolls or 20 feet of 3/16' aluminum wire.
  • 1 roll or 10 feet of 1/4' aluminum wire.
  • TOOLS
  • 1 pipe wrench (optional, we'll have one to borrow)
  • 1 drill. (optional, we'll have one to borrow)
  • 1 smaller tack hammer. (optional, we'll have one to borrow)
  • 2 C- clamps (for clamping the board to the sculpting table).
  • 1 smaller long nose (needlenose) pliers/wire cutter.
  • 1 seamstress measuring tape.
  • 1 putty knife 2' wide.
  • #0 flat or filbert brush (any old small brush is fine).
  • SCULPTING TOOLS - again available from Ball Consulting, order in advance:
  • Wire loops serrated: Small, medium and large. The curved slanted shape like the S.A-212 (Ball Consulting) or No.222 (www.sculptinghouse.com) are favorites of Vala's.
  • Wooden tools various shapes, a medium size flat end, a small flat end, a small pointed end.
  • 1 small kidney (flexible rubber), the Soft Flex (red) is Vala's personal choice.
  • Calipers, proportional calipers that will downsize to 1/3 size, available 18' long or bigger. (Optional, we'll have a couple on site to borrow)
  • Following items Vala Ola will provide:
  • 4 U-shaped 'double point staples 9/16', too fasten wires. (provided by Vala)
  • 2 feet of fine (approx. 24 gauge) floral wire for the fingers. (provided by Vala)
  • 1 little piece (2' x 1') of sponge, cut of a bigger sponge. (provided by Vala)
  • 1 small piece (2'x 2') of fine metal window screen mesh. (provided by Vala)
  • 1 'Goo Gone' spray gel (we'll have some on site)
  • If you wish to purchase supplies from Ball Consulting, you must contact Ball directly, place the order, pay for it, and request to have it delivered to the school the Monday of the workshop. Ball Consulting will deliver Monday morning at 8 am, the first day of the workshop. Ball Consulting may be contacted at: 480-967-7727 or www.arizonasculpture.com/
  • For those flying to Arizona I recommend not to carry on your metal tools, those weapons of art have been known to upset the security guards! The tools are safer in the check-in baggage. The armature built can be dismantled at the end of the class if you are flying home with it or a shipper will be recommended by the school for those who want it shipped.
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