Introduction to Clay Figurative Sculpture
A course by Cristina CórdovaFigurative ceramic artist and teacher
A course by Cristina Córdova, Figurative ceramic artist and teacher
Explore expression, character, and the human figure to construct a unique clay bust using the slab building technique
Body language, movement, and expression are what give life to any structure and the medium of clay gives you the opportunity to explore them. Ceramic artist Cristina Córdova specializes in figurative sculpting, combining ceramic construction techniques with traditional modeling. She plays with both naturalism and abstraction to explore the human figure. Cristina has won several International Association of Art Critics Awards, and her work is part of a number of permanent collections across the US.
In this course she shows you how to hand sculpt a hollow ceramic bust using the slab building technique. Learn the foundations of building a three-dimensional form, and explore anatomy, gesture, and expression to bring your sculpture to life. See how slabs of clay can become a work of true beauty.
What will you learn in this online course?
17 lessons & 11 downloads
Materials and Tools
5 minutes, 54 seconds
Preparing Your Workspace
2 minutes, 22 seconds
Printing Templates
5 minutes, 48 seconds
Making Clay Slabs
9 minutes, 4 seconds
Forming the Neck and Upper Torso
11 minutes, 37 seconds
Forming the Head 1
15 minutes, 27 seconds
What's included in this course?
Get to know Cristina Córdova as she explains her background in sculpture and ceramic art. She also shares details of the fellow artists who inspire her and how their work influences hers.
Familiarize yourself with the slab building method as Cristina gives you an overview, then look at the materials and tools needed for the course. Next, prepare your sculpting workspace, and hear Cristina’s advice on surfaces, lighting, and how to keep it clean. Finish your preparation by understanding the role of templates in the structural process. Then, print, cut, and assemble the templates for your piece.
Begin working with your clay. First make your flat slabs and cut them using your templates from earlier. Then, delve into anatomy as Cristina shows you how to use your slabs to structure and shape the upper torso and neck of your bust. Move on to the most intensive part of the process: the sculpting of the head. Learn the breakdown of proportions with generic measurements, and how to develop expressive facial features.
Discover how to assemble your parts to build a sculpture with character and a strong gesture, by using a mix of diagram references and experimentation. Cristina also teaches you to use a joining slip to attach your components, and how to sculpt over the transitions to create a cohesive, flowing composition.
Use fresh clay to build upon your sculpture, and carve the details and contours that will bring it to life and make it unique. Refine, smooth, and clean the surface of your piece using cloth and brushes to create the illusion of skin. End the course by preparing your bust for firing following Cristina’s advice and guidance.
What is this course's project?
Create a hollow ceramic bust, including head, neck and upper torso, through the use of simple patterns and the slab building technique.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone interested in working with the medium of clay, from beginners in the craft, to sculptors who want to explore hollow construction.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is needed.
In terms of materials, you will need paper, sculpture clay, a scoring tool, a clay knife, a wire tool, paddle, ribs, and other materials specified by the teacher in the course.
Reviews
- 1 month ago
Excelente curso, de los mejores que eh tomado en la plataforma. Te enseña toda su tecnica paso a paso y da mucha curiosidad seguir practicándola. Ella clarisima y didactica. Un curso muy interesante
- 2 months ago
Me gusto mucho el curso, explica muy bien y es practico.
- 2 months ago
Están todos los pasos reflejados, y acompañados por la descripción de como ir realizándolo. un muy buen curso
- 4 months ago
I loved this course. The teacher is excellent ; both clear and encouraging . The course is well structured and explained in each of the video presentations. The method of having a template for the formation of the finish piece is inspired and is a great support for those beginners who may find sculpting the human head intimidating. In short a great course from a wonderful artist.
- 4 months ago
I love Cristina Cordova's work so it was wonderful to see her process and the techniques she employs to achieve such fabulous pieces. The course is well structured, very informative and inspiring. I would love to see more courses from her on surface treatments.
After completing her graduate studies in ceramics and a three-year residency at the prestigious Penland School of Craft, Cristina founded Córdova Studios, where she has developed her artistic practice.
Her work is part of the permanent collections of major institutions such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Mint Museum, the Everson Museum, and the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Before We Begin
- Materials and Tools
- Preparing Your Workspace
- Printing Templates
- U3
Getting Started
- Making Clay Slabs
- Forming the Neck and Upper Torso
- Forming the Head 1
- Forming the Head 2
- Forming the Head 3
- Assembling Parts into Strong Gestures 1
- Assembling Parts into Strong Gestures 2
- U4
Clarity and Expression
- Refining Shapes 1
- Refining Shapes 2
- Fine Tuning the Surface 1
- Fine Tuning the Surface 2
- Preparing for Firing
- FP
Final project
- Introduction to Clay Figurative Sculpture
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate artists who have some experience with basic clay techniques and want to develop their sculptural and anatomical skills further.
You will need clay, rolling pins, bamboo thickness strips, a cutting knife, turntable, finger tool, serrated rib, scoring tool, and basic workspace setup including ventilation and proper lighting.
You’ll learn advanced clay slab techniques, anatomical modeling, expressive sculptural strategies, template usage, joining methods, surface preparation, and finishing for narrative and emotional impact.
Yes, if you are comfortable with fundamental clay handling and want to deepen your sculpting abilities, this course will build upon your existing skills.
Set up a ventilated area with a porous work surface, good lighting, and space for tools. Ensure ergonomic comfort and have materials like slip, templates, and drying equipment ready.
Yes, you’ll learn how to create, print, assemble, and use custom templates and patterns to guide three-dimensional clay forms accurately.
Yes, the course includes step-by-step instruction on constructing heads, measuring facial proportions, and refining anatomical details for lifelike results.