Introduction to Dynamic Figure Sculpture SAT
Adult Course | Available
Learn the fundamentals from armature construction, to form building, & finding rhythms within a model pose. We'll focus on learning how to work with oil-based clay quickly & efficiently. Throughout the class students will learn how to build up basic constructive forms & be introduced to artistic anatomy with a focus on classical proportions. Armature supplies will be provided. Clay tools will be discussed & will be needed as course progresses. Brief demonstrations will be given on sculpting the head, hands, & feet to give introductory students more detailed instruction in sculpting these complex features successfully. Brief lectures will be given on classical sculptures by masters such as Bernini & Michelangelo as well as contemporary figure sculptures.
Week 1: Armature Construction and basics of artistic proportion discussion about tools for sculpting
Week 2: Brief lecture on classical figure sculpture and constructive forms and classical proportions. learning how to work with oil-based clay to quickly build up forms using the model
Week 3: Brief lecture on basic anatomy and joint articulation and what makes a dynamic figure sculpture. Working with sculpting tools and work with the model
Week 4: Brief lecture on contemporary figurative artists. More on basic figurative anatomy. Working with the model. Demonstration of sculpting the head.
Week 5: Brief lecture on basic figurative anatomy. Working with the model. Demonstration of sculpting hands and feet
Week 6: Brief lecture on classical sculpture. Working with the model
Week 7: Brief lecture on basic figurative anatomy and joint articulation. Working with the model
Week 8: Working with the model. Working details of the figure. Brief final critique
Instructor Patrick Kent Stephenson: pkssculpting@yahoo.com
Patrick Stephenson
Patrick Stephenson started his figure sculpture journey in 1997 when he enrolled in this first figure sculpture class at the Arts Students League of Denver. This class ignited a passion for the arts, he began to pour through anatomy and sculpture books absorbing as much as possible to improve his craft, including enrolling in a medical dissection course at the University of Colorado in Denver. Early on Patrick sought out the instruction of professional artists such as Blair Buswell, Don Gale, and Bill Starke to learn clay working techniques and soon began creating figure sculptures of his own. Patrick was the youngest exhibitor at the Sculpture in the Park exhibition in Loveland, CO in 1998.
After graduating high school from the Denver School for the Arts he began to work on his first monumental bronze work “IL Compositore”. This work was inspired by the old masterworks of Michelangelo and Bernini and features a meticulously detailed composer at his piano. This work took four years to complete due to its complexity and size.
Upon completing this piece, Patrick attended the Lyme Academy College in of Fine Arts where he earned his bachelor's degree in figure sculpture. At LACFA he diligently studied, drawing, sculpture, and painting as well as frequented the esteemed museums in New York City where he would draw for hours from the famous works of art. For two summers Patrick lived in NYC working for the Company Spaeth Design in Manhattan learning sculpture techniques in foam carving and production. During his time at LAFCA Patrick also interned for artist Gilbert Boro wo