NORTHERN BEACHES ART SCHOOL
"Discovering the sculptor within"
Australian Bronze is hosting ongoing weekly open studio workshops aimed at providing an invigorating atmosphere to create sculpture for all levels of students. These workshops give an opportunity to students to develop their sculpture skills in a beautiful open studio environment at North Head Manly. Having a front row seat as real fine art projects develop on site and having access to the dynamic bronze casting facilities. Students can work in a supportive studio on their own project at their own pace
Australian Bronze North Head Open Studio Sculpture Program Tuesdays and Thursdays
Classes will be in an open studio format with students working on their individual sculpture projects with the objective of enhancing their sculpting skills in a supportive environment. In that time the students will learn about modelling and Sculpting Techniques, mould making to bronzing or taught any other aspect of sculpture that they wish to know. The workshops are designed to cater for beginner to experienced students.
We guide and assist students on their personal journey of sculpture. Initially we spend more time with the student individually in order to work out a suitable project and materials for their individual requirements. As the sculpture progresses we offer help at critical stages. We have class discussion relating to relevant topics and we also look at artworks by other sculptors as they progress through our studios or sculpture gallery
From time to time we will have special guests and visiting sculptors to further enhance the learning experience.
Cost $350 per 10 of three hour sessions these can be used up at your convenience. Start and finish times are flexible on Tuesday and 10 am and 4pm or by arrangement. A $35 trial session is fine for students wishing to first check things out.
Please feel free to call Clive Calder on 0404076683 to confirm or discuss (Or pop up to visit during class time)
Class Topics
Detail follows Form - A good starting point for sculpture is exploring the sculpt in a drawing or a maquette (small sculpture sketch) This enables the artist to explore the composition and take advantage of "happy mistakes" which can be incorporated into the main sculpture. Blocking is the modeling process whereby the main spatial components of a sculpture are established. It is absolutely essential that the student is first completely satisfied that the basic forms are how they would like them to be prior to detailing
the more experience a sculptor gains the sweeter the balance between composition and detail becomes.... until the two processes become interdependent in a flowing, homogeneous exchange
Sculpture Fine Art Tooling Techniques - Confident sculpting techniques master class, for a wide range of materials like clay, wax and acrylic plaster. Different materials combined with various techniques result an incredible array of possibilities. In modeling we look at methods of bulking up to achieve your form and then refining through reduction or abrasion. Establishing a rhythm of surfacing and detailing that allows the sculpt to sing true
knowing how to put down the sculpting tools is often the true artistic genius
Bronze Casting - creating bronze sculpture - making a wax and taking it all the way through to bronze with the lost wax process is a dynamic and multiple process with up to 12 main stages. It is a whole lot easier to understand when you have front row seats to one of Australia's most active Art foundries. All lost wax bronzes are created from a positive wax pattern, these waxes can be directly sculpted in wax or otherwise need to be cast from a mould taken from the artists original sculpture
when is the bronze age ? After casting an artwork in bronze it is said that the resulting bronze it cannot be owned, merely enjoyed for a while, as it will endure possibly thousands of generations - the oldest bronzes are up to 4500 years young!
Sculptor’s Talk - Meeting successful sculptors from a wide aesthetic background including practical lessons in tools and technique general commentary and motivation
in the open studio shared knowledge is what inspires, motivates and sows the seeds of sculpture exploration
Sculpture Enlargement - from small to large with accuracy- Enlarging a sculpt from small to big is often where experience is worthwhile. Scaling up can turn a maquette or small sculpture into a wild beast. Exploring different methods of up sizing up to large to suit the situation, using time proven techniques is the challenge
the irony of absolutely accurate enlargement it often exaggerates flaws in the original model or maquette - the focus then turns from mathematical accuracy to rather considering adjustments that can be made to improve the relative aesthetic of the new larger work, under the nurturing creative guidance of the artist
Mould making: making moulds that work- Mould making in silicone and other materials for edition casts - time tested skills in reproduction for the sculptor
thousands of moulds later we explore the balance between making moulds that exceed the requirements for the lost wax process and other castable composites but that are still time and cost effective
Metal finishing techniques- Completing a metal sculpture from welding to chasing, fettling both in bronze and stainless steel
when finishing up your bronze if you take the right path it will become as workable as butter in the hands of the blacksmith
Patination - Exploring the colouration of metals is a vast opportunity
A great patina completes a sculpture and allows the work to realise its full potential. From classical Florentine Brown to enduring ocean inspired verdigris. Bold primary colours to delicate lace stippling. Bronze can be guided to do it all, this controlled excitement is often what makes it the obvious choice of fine sculptors.
Patination is a complex art within itself and at Australian Bronze we have focused and prioritised its development as a distinguished aspect of our business. It is an immensely satisfying process and is critical to aesthetic outcome of metal fabrication. We have more than 35 years of experience in this field and have been tutored by the American master Ron Young who helped guide our processes and give our team broadest possible palette of both classical and contemporary finishes.
"Patina is our pleasure, our expertise and passion"
Techniques
We employ both hot and cold techniques and use carefully selected, gentle chemicals that are environmentally sound. We have pioneered many contemporary techniques in Australia and are pleased to have acted as consultants and contractor on numerous public works in both restorative patina and on completely new works.
Student involvement -Patination control gives the sculpt definition and presentation finesse
We welcome students to work with us on their patination projects to give greater creative control and exciting results
Colouring techniques for bronze, metals and composites from traditional to contemporary, from natural to primary colours. This is what will enhance your sculpture and present it in the finest manner
The dramatic change that patina brings to a bronze can be likened to the effect that good rains bring to a parched landscape
Unleashing the creative giant - A philosophic view on creating sculpture - discovering the artist within - discussion and practical exercises in maximizing creativity- confidence and freedom in your artwork.Allowing the sculpture workshop process to naturally reveal the excitement of the chosen medium
Choosing appropriate materials, tools ,techniques and an engaging approach combine for tremendous creative synergy
It never ceases to amaze me at where the artistic talent lies, sometimes it requires one to get out of our own way and usually that takes some patience and a lot of determination
Sculpting tools - choosing the right tool for the right sculpting job - exploring different techniques with different sculpting tools develops with time. Sometimes fingers are best, other times that bone handled butter knife from the op shop is just what was called for. Tiranti tools from the UK are a treat but when you need that extra special something making your own is always a good option - custom perfection
What tools and techniques work with which material
Like lollies in a lollie shop sculpting tools come in many exciting flavours, most sculptors often have one favorite that does the lions share of the sculpting workload and many others models adding the finesse and final flourishes
Requirements
Student Material list- Pencils, Drawing pad, Apron, Safety goggles, Modelling Tools and covered shoes. Please discuss with tutor
Materials provided by the school at a fee- Modelling tools, clay, plaster, silicone, masterworks, modelling armature, tools etc
Materials provided by the school for free or loan- Students are welcome to use our tools and materials in class so they can make an informed decision if they choose to purchase anything
About your tutor
The sculpture workshops are initiated by Clive Calder and comfortably backed up by the experienced sculpture studio staff
For more than 20 years Clive has worked on sculpture projects with some of world’s most accomplished Sculptors. He sculpts and paints and specialises in sculpture project management, patina for different sculpting materials and problem solving for the three-dimensional art world All the members of the team welcome you to attend our workshops and look forward to your visit to our North Head studios
Workshops
Australian Bronze hosts a variety of workshops throughout the year. For more information and upcoming Art and sculpture workshops please see our workshop page
"These sessions are hosted by our tenants and art friends and come highly recommended for those wishing to broaden their artistic horizons"
TELEPHONE INQUIRIES 0404076683 CLIVE CALDER