Modeling Torsos with Clay
A course by José Manuel Martínez Pérez , Sculptor and Illustrator
Joined May 2022
Dive into figurative sculpture and learn to model an expressive male torso, focusing on human musculature and bone structure
Joined May 2022
Due to its anatomy, its movement and the emotions it transmits, the human figure is exciting. To represent it as faithfully as possible, the sculptor and draftsman José Manuel Martínez uses clay, a material with a large amount of water, like the human body. In this online course he will teach you how to model a fresh and expressive torso.
Throughout the units you will discover how infinitely versatile clay is and how it admits error, something that will work in your favor in modeling. Thus, you will learn to deform the pieces at will and to express everything you can imagine through human anatomy and clay.
What will you learn in this online course?
21 lessons & 16 downloads
- 98% positive reviews (51)
- 3,369 students
- 21 lessons (4h 29m)
- 16 additional resources (4 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish, English, French, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
You will model a medium format male torso taking into account the proportion, dynamics and the most important anatomical references.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
For people who want to start in volume and figurative modeling.
Requirements and materials
It will not be necessary to have previous knowledge of sculpture, since the course will start from introductory concepts.
The essential tools will be modeling clay and sticks, and of course your own hands.
Reviews
José Manuel Martínez Pérez
A course by José Manuel Martínez Pérez
The human body, its ability to express emotions and its dynamics represent the center of the creative work of the sculptor and draftsman José Manuel Martínez. In his career he has been recognized with the 56th Reina Sofía Prize for Painting and Sculpture (AEPE), the "Miguel Blay y Fábregas" sculpture medal and the honorable mention twice in the "Figurativas 2019/2021" contest.
He has materialized public commissions such as the tribute bust to Don José Folgado Blanco (2021), the monument to Alonso Barba (2019), the monument to the Elderly and to the Virgin Bella (2007), among others. His work can be seen at the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona (MEAM) or at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Sicily in Catania (MACS). In addition, he combines his work as a sculptor with that of a professor of anatomy and natural drawing at the Escuela Superior de Dibujo Profesional (ESDIP) in Madrid.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
First steps
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Introduction to figurative or realistic sculpture
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Materials, tools and support
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Search for references and sketching 1
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Search for references and sketching 2
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Adaptation of the metallic structure
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U3
Modeling
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First volumes
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Analysis of the main profiles of sculpture
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Location of essential bone structures: subcutaneous references
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First muscle masses of the anterior part
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First muscle masses of the posterior part 1
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First muscle masses of the posterior part 2
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Relationship between bones and muscles
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U4
Finishing the Piece
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Definition of shapes 1
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Definition of shapes 2
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Definition of shapes 3
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Analysis of anatomical detail: skin and superficial elements 1
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Analysis of anatomical detail: skin and superficial elements 2
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Expressive analysis of the finish
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The emptying
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FP
Final project
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Modeling Torsos with Clay
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
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Watch professionally produced courses
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FAQs
You’ll learn to sculpt a human torso in clay—from building the internal armature to expressive finishing—applying anatomical techniques, proportions, sketching, and casting to create a realistic and personal sculpture.
Prior experience isn’t required, but having basic modeling or drawing skills will help you get the most out of the intermediate techniques covered in the course.
You’ll need clay, a wooden base, wire, modeling tools, a sponge, water, and screws. Optionally, resin and silicone can be used for casting and reproducing the piece.
Yes, the course includes studying proportions, anatomical axes, and muscle volumes to accurately and realistically represent the human torso.
Yes, you’ll learn how to build and secure a metal armature on a wooden base to keep the figure stable during clay modeling.
Absolutely, it’s perfect for those wanting to deepen their contemporary figurative sculpture skills and improve anatomical and expressive body representation.
The course teaches techniques to keep clay moist and prevent cracking, ensuring optimal handling throughout the process.
très didactique, agréable et progressif. cela m'a fait faire un grand pas en avant, tant techniquement, qu'artistiquement en me rendant plus sûr de mes choix artistiques, et avec, on le sent bien, l'héritage de rodin, qui plane dans l'ombre....
un grand merci
Je réalise que dans la Sculpture du réalisme on ne cour pas , lorsque l'on veut faire quelque chose de vraiment impactant . chaque éléments et étape demande la même force d'attention égale pour une coordination harmonieuse . je vais me lancé le défît et je reviendrait assurément avec ma réalisation
mes grands remerciement PROF
excelente curso. muy bueno.
muito bom, Martinez , é fantástico.
excelente curso, el profe es excelente y muy didactico pronto subire mi proyecto final