Figure Sculpture

Create a full reclining figure sculpture in clay from a life model.

Key details

Location

Falmouth Campus

Course duration

3 days

Course overview

Explore figure sculpture from a life model on this 3-day course taught by Emily Roberts, an artist and sculptor who specialises in working from life.

Based in a fantastic life drawing studio on our Falmouth campus, you’ll work from a life model always available each day as a reference point as you learn to mould a figure and look at proportion, musculature, surface texture and likeness.

You’ll leave with your raw clay sculpture that you can take home and continue working on, or for an optional extra cost this can be fired as a final sculpture for collection at a later date.

Tuition fees per individual: £450

How to apply

See course dates below that are available to book.

Upcoming courses

Emily Roberts making a reclining figure sculpture

Figure Sculpture with Emily Roberts

Wed 20 Aug 2025

3-day course 20 - 22 August | Price: £450

Figure sculpture August 2025

In-person

Create a full reclining figure sculpture in clay from a life model on this 3 day course. It's suitab...

Figure sculpture August 2025

If no upcoming Short Courses are displayed above, get in touch with us for more information.

Apart from our Short Courses for 14-17 Year Olds, all of our Short Courses are for adults 18+.

Course details

Create a full reclining figure sculpture in clay from a life model on this 3 day course. It's suitable for all levels and is based in a fantastic art studio on our beautiful Falmouth Campus.

Using visual observation and anatomical guidance, you will create a full reclining figure sculpture in clay over the course of 3 days.

Working with a life model in the studio, following some quick initial life drawings in charcoal, you will mould the figure without an armature, learning to look at proportion, musculature, surface texture and likeness as we work with our life model for a reference.

This is an ideal introductory course for beginners to sculpture and is also suitable for more experienced artists who wish to broaden their anatomical and sculptural knowledge.

You'll leave with your raw clay sculpture that you can take home and continue working on, or for an optional extra charge this can be fired as a final sculpture and collected at a later date.

On our final afternoon the course will conclude with a peer review of everyone’s work and a small celebration of achievements.

Please see the course outline for more information on what each day will cover.

This course is taught by Emily Roberts, an artist and teacher whose work is held in private collections across Europe and North America.

All materials you’ll need are included in this course, using professional art supplies; and tea and coffee is provided each day. Please bring a packed lunch with you or there are nearby café’s in Falmouth (an hour is allowed for lunch each day).

Day one:

After choosing a pose for our model we will draw. Creating several life drawings from different positions will allow us to understand better the form, as well as provide reference images for the sculpture. Once we have a selection of drawings we will begin to create a clay framework, building up to the heights and widths of the figure.

Day two:

Working up our initial frame we will begin to block out the mass of the figure, slowly beginning to sculpt shape and detail. Concentrating on anatomy we will work towards creating correct proportion from each angle until the sculpture is working as a whole.

Day three:

The third day will be spent concentrating on surface texture and finish, placing the final details on the sculpture. Special emphasis will be placed on the portrait, hands and feet.

How you'll learn

Emily teaches this course in an accessible method where traditional techniques are built up step by step. Each day will be spent in taught sessions with a life model constantly available for a reference point. There will be time to develop and explore techniques as you work through each day.

Each evening there is optional time to continue to develop your work on your own, with the studio open until 21:00.

Who is this course for

This is an ideal introductory course for beginners to sculpture and is also suitable for more experienced artists who wish to broaden their anatomical and sculptural knowledge.

Course leader: Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts is a figurative painter and sculptor. After studying History of Art at the University of Bristol she attended Charles Cecil Studios in Florence where she trained in classical drawing and oil painting. Since then she has expanded her field of knowledge from this traditional foundation to include pastel painting, ceramic sculpture, stone carving and the creation of inks and paints with an increased focus on creating her own materials from natural, sustainable, local materials.

At Charles Cecil Studios Emily also took on various teaching and administrative roles, and has continued to teach throughout her career at studios across the UK and Europe. She is currently a Senior Technician for Life Drawing and Painting at Falmouth University and teaches regular workshops in Cornwall, including at St Ives School of Painting. 

She has shown work in institutions such as the Royal Academy, Turner Contemporary and Mall Galleries. Her work is held in private collections across Europe, Asia and America. 

Each day will have the following timings:  

9.30: Arrival and welcome, tea and coffee  

10am – 1pm: Morning session   

1pm – 2pm: Lunch break (please bring a packed lunch or visit a nearby cafe)  

2pm – 5pm: Afternoon session  

5pm – 9pm: The art studio will remain open until 9pm on days 1-2 for you to continue working on your own, if you wish to do so.

An apron or clothing you don’t mind getting messy!
You may wish to bring a reusable water bottle with you.
Please remember to bring a packed lunch with you.

All materials and equipment you’ll need are provided, using professional-quality supplies. 
There will be a model to work from in all taught sessions each day, as a constant reference.
The cost of this course includes you taking your raw clay sculpture home with you, or if you would like it fired as a final sculpture this can be arranged for an optional extra charge.

Tea/coffee is included each day. Please bring a packed lunch with you.

This course is taught in a life drawing studio at Belmont on our Falmouth Campus.  

Our Falmouth Campus can be reached via a range of public transport options. You can find out more, here.  

For campus maps and information on visiting us, please visit our How to find us page. 

There are no prerequisites for this course, the course is an ideal introduction for beginners to sculpture and is also suitable for more experienced artists wishing to broaden their practice.

Accommodation is not included in this course cost. If you would like to book accommodation, please see our accommodation for short course students page for a range of options.  

Our Falmouth campus is not fully accessible, with some activities in early Victorian three storey buildings.

Please contact us if you have questions about mobility and access.  

How to apply

To apply for this course, make your selection from the available dates below, this will take you to an event page where you will be able to book yourself onto the course via the Book now link.

Tuition fees per individual: £450