Discover the Best Sculpture Classes Online
Sculpture is a type of art that is three-dimensional. Sculptors use a wide variety of different materials such as metal, stone, clay, and plastic. In recent years, some have also started to add other types of media to their artwork–such as light or video projection–to create a multi-sensory, immersive experience for the viewer. Some sculptures are realistic, while others are conceptual or abstract. Sculpture is a form of artistic expression that goes back to ancient times, when people carved small animal and human figures out of bone and stone.
Why You Should Learn Sculpture Online
There are many good reasons to learn sculpture. One of the most common reasons that people decide to take a sculpture class is that they want to do something creative. With sculpting, artists work with a wide range of different materials, molding, carving, and assembling them in ways that are often only limited by their imaginations. Many sculptors love this form of art because of its high level of artistic freedom.
However, there are also more practical reasons to learn sculpture. At the same time as they exercise their creativity, sculptors also develop a number of other skills such as hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. They also learn about proportions, volume, and anatomy, and develop the ability to visualize a three-dimensional form. All of these skills can be useful in a wide range of occupations including architecture, engineering, and design.
Virtual Sculpture Classes
In a virtual class, students interact with an instructor in real time, just like in an in-person class. However, with the virtual format, they don’t need to commute to a classroom; instead, a virtual class can be taken from the comfort of home. All that is needed is a computer and an internet connection. This type of instruction has become increasingly popular in recent years because of its flexibility. It is often less expensive too.
A downside to virtual instruction is that in most cases, students need to supply their own materials, and while this may not be a problem for a class like painting or drawing, some types of art–like certain types of sculpture–require specialized materials that can be expensive or difficult to find. As a result, many sculpting students choose in-person instruction, where materials are usually provided by the school. Another benefit of in-person instruction for sculpting is that it can be easier to learn techniques by seeing them demonstrated in-person rather than on a computer screen.
For students who do want to learn virtually, there are some virtual sculpting classes. Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose, Making Sculpture is a virtual sculpting class offered by the Evanston Art Center, which is based in Evanston, Illinois. The goal of this class is to look beyond the boundaries of traditional sculpture, and focus on using a variety of repurposed materials. Tuition is $375, and classes run via Zoom. Students should have kitchen shears and fishing line for the first session.
Grand Central Atelier is an art school based in Queens, New York, and offers a number of online art classes in addition to in-person instruction. It has a six-week online class called Portrait Sculpture, where students learn how to sculpt using a live model. Included in the course material are measurements, sculpting specific features, moving from big to small, adding expression, and infusing life. Tuition is $495, and it includes personalized critiques of student work.
Students who like to learn virtually will also find a number of other virtual art classes. For example, the Chicago Botanic Garden offers a virtual class called Introduction to Weaving, which runs for eight sessions, and costs $374. On the first day of class, students learn to construct their own looms. After that, they learn a variety of different weaving techniques such as rya, twining, twill, and basket weave.
Sewing classes can also be found in a virtual format. Sewing 101 is a class offered by the New York Sewing Center. There are four sessions, and tuition is $450. The curriculum includes understanding sewing terminology, reading a commercial pattern, choosing the right fabric, setting in a zipper and waistband, and using different stitches and seam finishes. Students work on a drawstring pouch and a skirt or drawstring pants.
Private Online Group Sculpture Classes
CourseHorse offers a variety of sculpture classes for private groups, making it easy to plan a fun and educational group event for friends or business groups. Virtual Clay Hand Building is a good choice for people who are interested in learning about sculpting clay. Up to 500 people can take this class at once, and the cost is $75 per person. All needed materials are shipped to participants ahead of time, and on the day of the class, a virtual instructor covers a variety of pottery techniques. Participants do not need to have any prior experience working with clay, and will learn to create either a planter or a candle holder. Air-dry clay is used so that sculptures do not need to be dried in a kiln.
Groups that enjoy hands-on art might also be interested in the Virtual Mosaic Tray Workshop. This class can accommodate up to 100 people, and costs $85 per person. It runs for an hour-and-a-half. Under the guidance of an expert instructor, participants design and create mosaic trays, including grouting their mosaic tiles. All necessary supplies are shipped ahead of time.
Another hands-on class option is a jewelry sculpting class called Polymer Clay Jewelry, where participants use clay to make customized jewelry. Instructors cover a variety of techniques, and students are encouraged to make their own unique designs, making them as complicated, or as simple, as they want. All materials are supplied, and the cost of the class is $85 per person. It can accommodate up to 500 people.
CourseHorse strives to make the booking process simple for all of its group classes. There is no registration, and no booking fees, and a class confirmation is sent within twenty-four hours of booking. In addition, CourseHorse has a flexible change policy, where changes can be made to the total group size up to 72 hours before the event, as long as the minimum group size has been met. Email CourseHorse for more information about scheduling a private group sculpture class.
Online Vs. In-Person Sculpture Classes
Sculpting classes can be found in both in-person and online formats. In-person classes take place in a classroom or art studio, and usually include most of the materials and tools that students need. Online classes take place through a platform like Zoom, and just like in-person classes, they involve real-time instruction, with immediate instructor feedback. However, they typically do not include sculpting materials and tools. For this reason, many students opt for in-person sculpting classes.
Can I Learn Sculpture for Free Online?
It is definitely possible to learn some things about sculpting for free. There are many different free online resources such as tutorials and instructional videos, that cover different sculpting skills, or offer a variety of tips and tricks. However, students who are serious about learning sculpting usually decide to enroll in a formal class, where they can receive comprehensive instruction from an expert. This is generally a much faster and easier way to learn all of the techniques associated with sculpting. An additional benefit to a formal class is that tuition often includes access to sculpting materials and tools, particularly in the case of an in-person class.
