Paperclay Figurative Sculpting Course

Figurative Sculpting Course

Course Description

Who is this course suitable for?

This 6 - Weeks sculpting workshop is perfect for both beginners and those looking to develop their sculpting skills. Over six weeks, the students will learn how to work with Creative Paperclay to design and build their own figurative sculpture. Guided step by step, they will create a wire armature, sculpt and refine the figure, experiment with textures, and finally paint the finished piece using a unique technique developed by the artist.

Objective:

Students will learn how to work with air-drying Paperclay and how to use it to create expressive 3D sculptural forms. They will be guided step-by-step in building a wire armature to support the sculpture and receive demonstrations of various sculpting, texturing, and painting techniques developed by the artist.

Activity:

During the workshop, students will work from images or sketches of a chosen subject to create their own sculptural character. Sample works by the artist will be provided for inspiration. The students will sculpt, refine, and detail their piece using shaping tools and sandpaper, exploring a range of textures to bring their character to life. Participants may also incorporate small found or personal objects to enrich the story and individuality of their sculpture.

Course Schedule

• Week 1: Introduction to air-drying clay, discussion of ideas, and creating sketches of sculpture designs. Building a wire armature.

• Week 2: Completing the wire armature and attaching it to the base.

• Week 3: Sculpting the figure.

• Week 4: Further sculpting — focus on hands, head, and proportions.

• Week 5: Refining the sculpture, adding textures, and completing the base.

• Week 6: Painting and finishing the sculpture and the base.

About the Tutor

Asya Dudko was born in Russia, and her early life and rich cultural heritage have shaped her visual imagination in terms of subject, colour, and form. Her artistic practice spans figurative sculpture, painting, and multi-dimensional reliefs, often exploring themes of human connection, emotion, and memory.

Since relocating to the UK in the 2000s, Asya has earned a First-Class Honours Degree in Interior Design, taught both beginner and advanced students at several established art schools, and exhibited her work widely. She is an Associate Member of the Society of Women Artists, the winner of the Helen Sinclair Sculpture Award (2022), the winner of the John Doubleday Award (2025).

What to Bring

1 pack of Creative Paperclay (454g)Available via: buddlycrafts.com or That's Crafty! Online Shop or amazon.co.uk