James Ort - animal sculptures

Service Description

James Ort - animal sculptures. Spend two days with international artist James Ort, learning how to make clay animals using a contemporary technique that is loose, expressive and breaks all the rules! The course is great for beginners and experienced artists alike. The best part is that you can make pretty much any animal you like! We are thrilled to welcome James as our first international artist for 2026! He specialises in a form of contemporary clay modelling which pushes clay to its limits. The technique is fast, easy to learn and with it comes life, energy and grace to the creations. Over the two days, James will offer a series of demonstrations that show you the key stages and principles of the technique. The rest of the time will be spent making your own pieces with James’ guidance and support every step of the way. As this is a two-day workshop and your work won’t have been fired or be ready to glaze, James will also demonstrate how he uses oxides and underglazes, which will assist you in finishing your pieces when they are ready. Once completed, your masterpieces will be dried out and then fired in our kilns. COURSE OUTLINE DAY 1: Wall-mounted portrait heads. Make the head of any animal of your choice be it mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian! You will make an armature and then be adding clay by breaking down the head into key muscle groups and shapes. DAY 2: Dynamic wall-mounted mammals. The more challenging part of the course is making a full-bodied mammal that gives a sense of life, movement and dynamism. You will learn how to observe and understand the anatomy of your chosen subject, and then how to contort your form to capture a moment in time. (No flying birds please, though James can talk through how he does this on a lunch break). This fun course includes: o Informal, relaxed & attentive guidance for every student, provided by James Ort o Step-by-step demonstrations covering… o How to build an armature for wall-mounted animal heads and dynamic poses. o How to apply the clay to best capture the animal’s anatomy and features o How to create expressive facial features and give your piece character o An outline of the firing process in our kiln room o How to glaze your work using underglazes What is included in the price? o Two full days teaching (9am-4.30pm) o A printed course handout outlining the technique’s main principles o Clay, firings and glazes & firing of your art o A glazing demonstration. o Lunch, Tea/Coffee/biscuits