Sat 19th, Sun 20th September 2026, 10 am to 4pm each day.
Course cost £280 to include all materials and basic sculpting tools for use on the course. Early bird discount 10% See T&Cs below for more info.
Small class size, limited spaces.
Bookable by contacting Samantha Goryl as follows: Email : samgoryl@hotmail.co.uk Mobile : 07713485827
Course Overview
Have you ever wanted to capture a persons likeness in clay? Are you not sure where to start? Or maybe already had a little experience, but would like a little more direction? Or maybe a seasoned sculptor looking to learn some new skills in an amazing studio in a beautiful location?
Come and explore portrait sculpture on this 2 day course with tutor Samantha Goryl.
Working directly from a life model and using a technical method to create a strong and accurate foundation we will map out all the key points and volumes of the portrait before focusing on individual features and details. This course is designed to provide accurate parameters and techniques to use in order to support your artistic eye to create a beautiful likeness.
We will start right at the beginning with the armature base visualising the portrait before exploring different tools and their uses as we go through the different stages of the sculpt, using hands, fingers, wooden and loop tools. We will look at the underlying anatomy that makes portraiture work. And while we will be using various measuring and plotting methods to provide the portrait framework, there will be plenty of opportunity to move away from the rigidity of measuring if that is your preferred way of working.
This course is suitable for absolute beginners looking to start and get a feel for portraiture, experienced sculptors alike looking to widen their skillset, and everyone in between.
If this sounds like something you would like to explore or have any questions please do get in touch.
What to expect as an outcome?
Over the 2 days we will block out the whole portrait before honing in on features and details. You will learn where and how to start a clay from the armature, blocking out, tool techniques and their uses, measuring techniques, how to treat and keep clay so it is workable, how to see a sitter and look at forms, there is lots to explore. Final outcomes will vary per individual, some may find their portrait comes together quickly, whereas others may take more time to explore the forms and features of the sitter.
Everyone will have a lifesize clay portrait they can take home with them and continue to work on them if they wish. If you do wish to continue your sculpt in your own time, taking photos of the model and writing down measurements as we go through would be advisable. There may be an opportunity to fire your clay portrait at a later date, however this is currently subject to availability and at an additional cost. Please not that the 2 day course will be focused on the beginning steps of blocking out the portrait and creating a likeness, the 2 days does not allow enough time to prepare the pieces for firing. If you are considering firing your sculpt at some point then please do let us know prior to the course starting as a different armature is required, and we may be able to arrange a further time to prepare the clays. Please ask if you have questions, we will accommodate where we can.
What’s Included?
All the materials for the armature, clay for sculpting and basic sculpting tools will be provided for use during the course, if you have any favourite tools yourself please bring them along. The model will be present for the full course.
Tea, coffee, and light refreshments will be provided (please let us know of any dietary requirements). Please note, lunch will not be provided. The town of Honiton is nearby, however transport by vehicle is needed. The studio has a small kitchen and a fridge where you are able to store items, and a hob so you can warm food.
Introducing the location
The Pavillion Studio at the School of Art and Wellbeing is a converted cricket pavilion set in a stunning rural location just outside the small market town of Honiton, Devon. The studio is colourful, welcoming, and a great place to be. The main house offers B&B, the grounds have glamping and camping facilities with showers and lots of outside space to explore. You can turn this weekend into a lovely retreat by staying onsite.
Honiton itself has many shops, restaurants, pubs, and supermarkets. The train line through Honiton runs from London Waterloo through to Exeter, checking the rail services for any planned rail works is advisable. There are also several bus routes.
Terms and Conditions
Course bookable by contacting Samantha Goryl directly via samgoryl@hotmail.co.uk
Mobile : 07713485827
Your place on the course will be secured when payment has been made. Options to either pay in full or pay a 50% holding deposit with the remaining balance to be paid no less than 4 weeks prior to the course start date. Payment accepted via bank transfer or PayPal.
We reserve the right to cancel the course if there are not enough participants. In this case a full refund will be paid.
Early bird offer. In relation to any early bird offer or discount payment for the course must be made by the date shown in the advertising.
Cancellations. Please note, all cancellations are subject to a 5% deductible charge to cover bank and payment processing costs. If cancelling more than 6 weeks prior to the course start date a full refund will be applicable. If cancelling less than 6 weeks prior to the course start date a 50% refund of monies recieved will be applicable. If cancelling less than 3 weeks to the start date no refund will be applicable, unless your space can be filled whereby a 50% refund we be given.
