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Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay

A Guide to Capturing the Human Form for Ceramic Artists
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( 20 ratings, 2 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Figure in Clay (Mastering Sculpture) by Cristina Córdova offers a comprehensive guide to sculpting the human form in clay. Beginning with concept sketches and armature construction, it provides detailed, step-by-step instructions to build legs, torso, arms, hands, and head. The book features photographic demonstrations and diagrams, emphasising both technical skills and naturalistic detail. With a focus on creating hollow forms safe for kiln firing, this volume suits both beginners and experienced sculptors seeking a clear fabrication strategy for permanent figurative compositions.
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Format: Hardback
$6500
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is perfect for artists and enthusiasts interested in figurative sculpture, whether newcomers to clay or seasoned creators outside ceramics looking for reliable techniques to create permanent clay figures. It suits readers eager to deepen their anatomical knowledge and sculpting skills, from hobbyists to professional sculptors.

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The Figure in Clay (Mastering Sculpture) is a comprehensive workshop on sculpting the human form from head to toe for ceramic artists.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Explore the human form in depth, from concept sketches and armatures to detailed instructions for constructing legs, torso, arms, hands, and head from clay. In Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay, renowned sculptor and instructor Cristina Córdova teaches everything you need to know to replicate the full human figure using clay.

Start by developing meaningful sketches and reference points. Then learn how to make and use an armature to create hollow forms that are safe to fire in a kiln. Using patterns and slabs, you can move on to develop a full human form, head to toe. Work along with the author to create a form about two-feet tall, or choose your own size: the patterns and instructions can work in a variety of scales.

Photographic demonstrations and diagrams cover the construction and articulation of feet and legs, the hip area and upper torso, arms, hands, neck, and head. Cristina includes supplementary tips and insights throughout to support the sculpting process and enhance naturalism. You'll also find a brief section on general anatomical concepts and modeling strategies to facilitate accuracy and expression as all the components come together.

Whether you are a clay artist with limited experience in figurative sculpture or a figurative sculptor outside the world of ceramics looking for a straightforward fabrication strategy to create permanent compositions from clay, Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay will expertly guide your way.

Series: Mastering Ceramics

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  • Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay
    Explore the human form in depth, from concept sketches and armatures to detailed instructions for constructing legs, torso, arms, hands, and head from clay. In Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay, renowned sculptor and instructor Cristina Córdova teaches everything you need to know to replicate the full human figure using clay. Start by developing meaningful sketches and reference points. Then...
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  • Mastering the Potter's Wheel
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Critics praise Cristina Córdova for her unique blend of accuracy and instinct, bringing clay works to life with sensitivity and expression. Leslie Noell highlights her clear, deliberate instruction style ideal for all skill levels. Steven Young Lee commends the book as a valuable resource for those seeking deeper figurative sculpture understanding, noting Córdova's generosity as an educator. The work is celebrated for its concise, elegant organisation and insightful guidance, making it a standout in sculpture literature.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780760373095

Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 24 May 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Quarry Books

Illustration: color photos

Contributors:

  • Foreword by Leslie Ferrin

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 203.0mm

Height: 254.0mm

Weight: 880g

Pages: 192

About the Author

Cristina Cordova is a contemporary artist and sculpting instructor whose work is collected around the world. She is featured in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum; The Coleccion Acosta de San Juan, Puerto Rico; the Mint Museum of Craft + Design; the Museum of Contemporary Art; and the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum, among others. She is the recipient of numerous grants and award, including NC Arts Council Fellowship Grant, a Virginia Groot Foundation Recognition Grant, several International Association of Art Critics of Puerto Rico awards, and in 2015 the prestigious United States Artist Fellowship award. Her work is widely featured in all major ceramics and arts media, including the covers of Ceramics Monthly, and was featured by Craft in America, on PBS, in their episode on Identity. Cristina has taught and demonstrated around the world, though she focuses mostly on US locations. Her residencies, workshops, and classes include: Harvard University, the University of California, the University of Nebraska, the University of Georgia, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Ceramistas de Renaca in Chile, the Australian National University in Canberra, Gaya Ceramics in Bali, Penland School of Crafts (NC), Haystack Mountain School (ME), Santa Fe Clay (NM), Mudfire (GA), Odyssey Center for Ceramics (NC), and Anderson Ranch (CO), among others.

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