1. Learning through clay and sketching
Figurative Modelling
Learning through clay and sketching

2. 0verview
This Module intended to equip us with a good basic foundation in a range of traditional clay figurative modelling skills. We hoped to explore the relationship between drawing, knowledge, movement and construction of the figure in ceramics. There was both practical and theoretical exploration of how to construct the figure in clay, helping us to understand both traditional modelling techniques, and ways in which the immediacy and freer gestural articulation of drawing can be used to inform and extend our practice.

3. Approaches' to construction in clay
Pinch building heads. Unfortunately I was unable to attend this session, However I have tried Pinch building both pots and figures previously.
I find the technique very fulfilling and most enjoyable. It would have been good to have had some tuition from Claire however it was not possible on this occasion. I intend to further my exploration in this technique as I fully intend to make more use of it in future projects.

4. Fabric Moulding
I enjoyed making the fabric hands and filling them with plaster. However it is not something that I would wish to take further at this stage. It is a great medium to play with, and I might make use of it in future projects. However at this point in my journey I can not see it being of much interest to me.

5. Slab and Slip Heads
Slab building has always been of interest to me and I enjoy woring with slip and Scraffito. This is a technique I may well continue to use in further projects. I would hope to develop some tools that create finer lines and offer the ability to render more detail than where currently available to me. however this is definitely a way of creating figurative work I might consider in the future.

6. Direct modelling feet.
This was a very informative class and it was good to see the way Natasha created feet. I especially liked the way the foot grew from the lump of clay, leaving the detail and the hollowing of the piece until the very end.

7. Template construction of feet and Legs
This is a method I regularly use when constructing figures, again most enjoyable and quick method of constructing a hollow form.
I will continue to use this method if I am to make figures or on vessels

8. Pinch pot and Additions
Again this was a class that I missed however, I often employ pinch technique when constructing my vessels so will continue to use and perfect this method

9. Life drawing
Life drawing has always been a favourite of mine Sketching at speed was a very new concept to me and enabled me to really test my skill
The study of balance and gravitational pull on a figure was also a great help in discovering new ways to look at sketching a figure.
It was also good to look at the way skin stretches and pulls in accordance with forces applied to it , including gravity.
I also greatly enjoyed using different mediums to capture the Figur