Ref: S1D31985
This creative course gives you the opportunity to make your own relief wall plaque depicting foliage gathered from West Dean Gardens. You will learn the skill of how to mix and work plaster as well as the benefits of incorporating cellulose.
Plaster of Paris is a versatile material; historically it has been used for decorative ceilings and picture frames and used to cast replicas of sculptures. Plaster is the base for fresco paintings. In the ceramics industry it is used to make moulds for slip casting, at art school this was an integral part of the curriculum.
As a ceramic artist, working with her environment, clay is the primary material used in Miranda’s practice, however, plaster has long been a tool in the making of her ceramics; She uses it for drop moulds and formers as part of her process of hand building with clay. Canadian ceramic artist Trudy Golly introduced her to the benefits of adding cellulose to plaster and it transformed her use of plaster; it became a material she liked working with rather than a necessary means to an end. The wet plaster is easier to work. The strength is increased so less plaster is used and the finished piece is much lighter and finer, so easier to handle.
This course will provide practical knowledge to enable further development in your own work practice, or just provide you with a new skill. No previous experience in plasterwork is needed.
Also explained, and if time allows demonstrated, is how to;
Make a direct plaster impression
Make a simple positive and negative mould
Make a simple drop mould
Timetable for one day courses
Students should arrive by 9am for registration.
Classes are from 9.15 - 5pm
Lunch is included.
Miranda Forrest has been a potter all her working life. When she moved to South Uist, Outer Hebrides in 1999 she started to explore incorporating locally found materials in her work. This became the subject of her book Natural Glazes: Collecting and Making, published by Bloomsbury in 2013.
Places available - Book now
Places available - Book now
Places available - Book now
Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study.
Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.