Initially you’ll learn the ‘golden rules’ for making a clay face look like a real face before moving on to tackle a live model. Classes will include demonstrations of each stage of creating a portrait, with emphasis on the overall facial structure as well as a focus on individual features. You’ll also learn how to hollow your piece for firing as well as finish it for display. While leaving room for artistic expression, the goal of this course is to teach a simple, systematic approach to producing ceramic portraits that’s also fun.

All materials are provided but students are welcome to bring their own tools if they have them. The $30 material fee includes use of sculpting tools, clay, stands, firing of the final piece and a live model.

Neil Grant is an English representational sculptor who makes fine art through a slightly different lens. The winner of the 2018 Newby Patrons Award at the National Sculpture Society’s Annual Awards Exhibition, he combines technical skill with storytelling and humor.

Neil lives in Cape Cod, Massachusetts where he sculpts out of his studio and is part of the teaching faculty at Cotuit Center for the Arts.

“Sculpture is how I put my thoughts out into the world, and so I try to make sure that they are ideas worth sharing,” says Neil. “All sculptures have an origin story, and mine normally begin with questions such as, ‘I wonder if anyone has ever attempted that in clay before?’ or ‘It’s probably not what you’d call classical sculpture, but I wonder if people would like it?’ I love sculpture and any other form of art that fuses skill, emotion, and if it can, a bit of humor. That’s what I aim for in my work."

More details about Neil and his work can be found at www.granty-art.com