Narrative in the Figure: Handbuilding in Clay

This workshop focuses on using handbuilding techniques to create a medium-size figure as a vehicle for personal expression. Students will begin with simple hollowed forms like spheres and cylinders, shaping and transforming them into delicate figures that reflect their thoughts, memories, and emotions. The workshop includes discussion on how to brainstorm and visualize ideas. While the focus is not on realism, basic anatomy of the body, face, hands, and feet will be covered. Later in the workshop, students will explore using the figure's surface to enhance expression through stain wash, underglaze, and glaze, bringing depth to facial features and small details. Students will also learn how to make clay flowers and small decorative elements using cake decoration tools.