In this week-long workshop, students will learn the necessary skills for how to successfully sculpt a portrait from life, with special consideration for naturalism, expression, and artistic composition. Working directly from the model, this course’s approach is based on close observation from life with added emphasis on anatomical structure and form relationships. Studying form relationships in the portrait will give students the ability to think three-dimensionally, to judge likeness through proportion and anatomy, as well as learn to use volume, depth, and mass to describe their subject. The class will begin with teaching how to utilize an armature, take and record measurements and learn clay management. It will then cover a sculptural “block-in” technique, investigating how to accurately establish the large relationships of the portrait, before moving onto modeling and finishing techniques for clay. During the workshop, discussion will include the exploration of different expressive components of classical portraiture, such as gesture, hair, eye direction and facial expression. By the end of the course, students will have completed a life-size clay portrait from observation and learned how to effectively organize a strategy for improving their sense of volume, likeness, anatomical realism, and composition. This class will include sculpting demonstrations, constructive critiques and lecture. No experience necessary. Teaching will be tailored to individuals. Clay and armatures will be provided. For all other items, please refer to the materials list.