UF Ceramics Program

Art 2704C, “Ceramic Figure Sculpture”

Fall 2008

Student Information Sheet:

Name: _____________________

Phone Number: __________________

College, Year: _______________________

Major: __________________________

Reason for taking this course?

Other Experiences with Ceramics? Courses? Instructor?

Favorite Artist?

Favorite Work of Art?

Personal Goals for this Course?

Art 2704C: Figurative Ceramics Fall 2008

Instructor: Thaddeus Erdahl

Office: FAC B-10 (Monday and Wednesday 2pm – 3pm and by appointment)

E-mail: terdahl@ufl.edu
Phone: Ceramic Kiln Room – 392-0201, ext. 232 or 352-359-9747

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 Course Description:

This course is a perceptually based introduction to figure sculpture using fired clay as the
medium. The class will include a study the human body and options for its representation in
three dimensions. An orientation to building, surfacing, and firing ceramics and processes of
hand-forming clay including: pinching, coil-building, slab building, modeling, and carving will be
introduced. The class format will include slide and video presentations, two life model
sequences, demonstrations, critiques, and team firings. The course includes three themes, each
differing in focus: the “perceptual”, the “gestural”, and the “interpretive” style. Group “lab work;”
loading, firing, and unloading class kiln firings is integrated into the structure of the course.

 Attendance:

Roll will be taken at the beginning of each class session, and is central to success in this
course. Demonstrations, lectures, critiques, and discussions will be scheduled for many class
periods. Also, the ceramics process is one that cannot be rushed or neglected without
consequences. Success in working with clay is skill based on and can be mastered through
regular practice. Students who are absent due to illness should contact me and/or leave a
message on my voice mail.
Class begins promptly at 3:00 pm. (M,W,). Please be on time.

 Grading:

Your grade will result from an evaluation of the following criteria: project grades, a cumulative
glazing grade, participation in team firings, participation in group critiques. Each project will be
graded for technical execution, aesthetics, expression/concept, degree of difficulty. Attendance
will be considered into your grade with more than three absences resulting in a grade drop. The
grading scale for this course is: 90-100= A, 87-87= B+, 80-86= B, 77-79= C+, 70-76= C, 67-69=
D+, 60-66= D, below 60 is failing.

 Reading and Reference Materials:

Textbook: Portrait Sculpting: Anatomy and Expressions in Clay (Required), authors Philippe
and Charisse Faraut, PCF Studios, Inc. 2004, ISBN: 0-9755065-0-1. Available at the Campus
Shop and Bookstore.

Supplementary reading on construction techniques for figurative sculpture – Make it in Clay,

Chapter 5, (Required reading), authors Toki and Speight. This book will be placed on room
reserve in the FAA Library.
Anatomy for the Artist, Author Sarah Simbley, published by DK Publishing. This is an excellent
anatomy book which will be very helpful to you and is recommended for the class.

Modeling the Figure in Clay, author Bruno Luchessi. Available on Reserve for this course in
the FAA Library. Review this prior to beginning the figure modeling projects.

Additional books have been placed in the Fine Art and Architecture Library under the course
number as helpful resources for ceramic techniques. The Craft and Art of Clay author Susan
Peterson and Hands in Clay, author Charlotte Speight (are excellent texts for information for
building and glaze techniques). Ceramic Figures: A Directory of Artists by Michael Flynn
(Rutgers Press) is an excellent overview of international contemporary ceramic sculptors who
work with the human figure. Also recommended is Anatomy for Artists or any other comparable
book on the topic.

 Supplies:

Bound sketchbook, small bucket, cut off wire, needle tool, metal rib, metal serrated rib, trimming
tool, small sponge, clean up sponge, plastic (to cover work in progress for controlled drying),
rolling pin (optional), turntable/lazy susan (metal at Home Depot or Lowes), Kemper Mini Ribbon
Sculpting Tools/Set, three wooden sculpting tools (JA 15, JA 18, JA 24 shown in class), scalpel,
patching spatula, calipers (optional), ruler, blow dryer, small lidded container for slip, paint
brushes, make-up sponges, a lock for your locker.

All tools listed above should be available at the cfop, Bookstore on campus. If you would like to
order through a Ceramic materials vendor please feel free to contact: Bennett Pottery Supply (1-
800-432-0074), or axner/Laguna Clay Company (1-800-843-7057).

The clay used during this course will be red earthenware also know as terra cotta. Clay, algi-
safe and plaster will be available for purchase in ten pound increments at the UF Bookstore.
Bring the circus ticket that you will receive when you pay at the Art Counter to the Ceramics
Area Clay Dispensary Employee during the scheduled “open” hours. They will dispense you the
clay you have paid for across campus. Your glazes and miscellaneous shop materials are
included in the costs of the clay. You will be asked to purchase a special casting material called
alginate. This material can be purchased through the Ceramics Program.

 Safety:

Please wear shoes and proper attire, tie back hair and loose clothing when working around
shop equipment. Wear a respirator if mixing clay, or glaze materials. A proper respirator is
required when spraying glazes. Welcome to uf ceramics handout

 Lockers:

Sign up for a locker to be used as storage for tools and clay. The list is on the bulletin board
adjacent to Room 14. Lockers must be cleaned out and locks removed by the end of finals or
the contents will be considered abandoned. However, if you are returning please note this on
the locker door and your belongings will not be disturbed.

 Studio Courtesy:
Please leave the studio clean. Regardless of the condition you find it in, we request that you
leave it clean for the next person. Remember to place all work in progress on the storage
shelves. Leave the work tables clear and clean. This is a shared studio and we all need to
work together to keep it a clean and productive environment.

University Policies:

Disabilities – “Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean
of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who
must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.”

Classroom Demeanor – “Students in the School of Art and Art History will not be permitted to
have beepers (pagers) and cell phones turned on in the classroom. If such a device beeps,
chimes, rings, or makes any type noise, it must be turned off before entering the
classroom”.

Academic Honesty – As a result of completing the registration form at the University of Florida,
every student has signed the following statement: ”I understand that the University of Florida
expects its students to be honest in all of their academic endeavors and understand that my
failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action to and including
expulsion from the university.”

Detailed academic honesty guidelines may be found at –

http://www.aa.ufl.edu/aa/Rules/4017.htm

Disruptive Behavior – Faculty, students, administrative, and professional staff members, and
other employees (herein referred to as “members” of the university), who intentionally act to
impair, interfere with, or obstruct the mission, purposes, order, operations, processes, and
functions of the university shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action by University
authorities for misconduct, as set forth in the applicable rules of the Board of Regents and the
University and state law governing such actions. A detailed list of disruptive conduct may be
found at: http;//www.aa.ufl.edu/aa/Rules/1008.htm. Be advised that a student can and will be
dismissed from class if he/she engages in disruptive behavior.

Critical Dates on the university calendar may be viewed at –

http://www.reg.ufl.edu/dates-critical.html

University counseling services-

1. University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, personal counseling
2. Student Mental Health, Student Mental Health Care, 392-1171, personal counseling
3. Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS), Student Health Care Center, 392-1161,
sexual assault counseling
4. Career Resources Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development assistance
and counseling.
Art 2704C: Figurative Ceramics Fall 2008
Instructor: Thaddeus Erdahl

PROJECT 1: THE PERCEPTUAL

This project focuses on the direct study of the human figure using a personalized plaster cast.

Personalized Body Cast of Hand(s) or Feet

In this project, you will sculpt from life using a plaster cast of your body and will triple the size (at
minimum) of the original casting and replicate it in clay. Each student will create a life-cast or
his/her hands or feet. Consider the pose and gesture of the hand or foot. If you are doing two
hands or both feet please pose them together to be cast as one compositional unit. The body
casting will be done with alginate. The alginate mold will be cast in #1 molding plaster to create
the plaster model. The alginate mold is a non-permanent mold that is cut away when the plaster
model cures. The result will be a personalized plaster cast.

When the life casting is completed you are to sculpt a life-scale maquette (sketch in clay) to
practice modeling and fine-tune your perceptual skills. Look for relative proportions, composition
in the round, effects on volumes in the round. With this study model complete you will move to
the large sculpture.

The final sculpture will be modeled solid and then hollowed at the leather-hard state. This is a
traditional technique for life modeling used to create many of the terra cotta sculptures in the
Renaissance. The technique of working solid allows the use of both additive and subtractive
methods of sculpting. Detail will be developed as the sculpture becomes leather hard. After
detail is completed, the sculpture will be sectioned to hollow it before firing. Terra sigillata will be
applied to the sculpture at the bone-dry state. The piece will be bisque-fired and glaze patinas
will be rubbed into the surface after which the sculpture will be glaze-fired.

Size: 14”-16” or 2 times life scale. Scaling the larger sculpture accurately will be discussed in
class

Materials
Some special materials are required for this project: alginate (a non-permanent and gelatin-like
casting material often used in Dental Offices), plastic container of appropriate size to be used as
a rigid holder for the alginate, and #1 molding plaster. The #1 molding plaster will be provided
through the bookstore and will be available to you in the ceramics lab for a competitive price. It
is to be purchased at the UF Bookstore and the receipt brought to the lab for dispensing.

Goals
This project will be evaluated for accuracy in representing the dimensional relationships present
in the original plaster model, proportions, depth, and transitions. The realism, articulation of
form, detailing and anatomical structure will be evaluated.
Dates Wednesday, August 27th
Bring tools, a container for making mold of body part, and alginate to class.
Wednesday, September 3
Small life-size maquette is due. We will start our large-scale hands.
Monday, September 15th
Body part studies are due wet. We’ll take a quick look at them as a class.
 Wednesday, September 24th
Critique
Art 2704C: Figurative Ceramics Fall 2008
Instructor: Thaddeus Erdahl

PROJECT 2: THE PORTRAIT HEAD

Exercise 1: Human Skull Study
Read textbook pages 10-30, Faraut. Video will be shown in class.

You will begin your sculpting experience by reading and studying the illustrations for the
technique used by Philippe Faraut to sculpt the human skull and muscle structure of the human
head. A supplementary video showing this process will be shown in class. This objective of this
study is to learn the human anatomy so that you fully understand what creates the structure of
the human head and neck and why we move as we do. In this study you will be using the Faraut
technique of solid modeling the skull. Skulls will be modeled at one-half of life size.

Exercise 2: Pinched Portraits Study

Read textbook pages 38-69. Video will be shown in class, Bova and Faraut – the features.
(Artists of reference are Joe Bova, Arthur Gonzales and Judy Moonelis).

A portrait will be done of a selected classmate as an “in class” project. An orientation to thinking
in the third dimension will be practiced by pinching the form and moving the clay wall in and out
like a skin. Your understanding of the skeletal and muscle structures learned in the last
sculpture will inform your use of this new technique. The portrait studies will be modeled at one-
half of life size. 3-5” in size

SLAB-BUILT SELF PORTRAIT PROJECT

Read textbook pages 102-125 and 130-141. Video will be shown in class, Faraut on
creating a likeness and common mistakes.

These Portrait sculptures are to be modeled 3/4 life size to life-size in scale. This project will be
evaluated for likeness, proportions, sculptural depth and mass conveyed, and smoothness
within volumetric transitions. You will be asked to provide photos of your head in the round and
a mirror. Photos should include a shot of each profile, ¾, front, back and top views of your head.
Put all photos on a reference board to bring to class. These will be your perceptual resources
for the project.

A demonstration of how to build using stacked slabs will be shown in class. You will be working
hollow and bending the clay in and out by pinching the walls. The two previous exercises will
lead you to understand structure and working hollow. This project will center upon developing
perceptual skills.

The sculpture will be surfaced by underglaze or staining and covered with a shop glaze. Test
tiles are available for view in the glaze lab. Metallic or stone glaze suggested also. A glaze
demonstration will be done in class.

Dates Wednesday, September 24th

Begin skull studies
Monday, September 29th
Begin pinched portrait studies
Wednesday, October 8th
 Begin self portraits
Wednesday, November 5th
Critique

Art 2704C: Figurative Ceramics Fall 2007

Instructor: Thaddeus Erdahl

PROJECT 3: FIGURE IN CLAY: FEMALE

A female life model will pose for class as the subject of your sculpture. The modeling sessions
will be scheduled during all class periods of the three-week project.
The female figure will be in a reclining pose to limit considerations of gravity.
Building Method - Modeled solid and hollowed.
Size
The size limitation on the figure is 24" across.
Resources
A videotape showing the sculpting process of contemporary Italian sculptor Bruno Luchessi will
be shown to offer a demonstration of tools and methods. You are required to review the
illustrated books by Luchessi (on reserve for this class in the FAA library) - modeling the figure
and the terra cotta portrait.
Materials
Please find or purchase a flat board 1/2" or 5/8" in thickness to be used for a surface to build on.
Thinner boards will warp. It is suggested that the board is sealed with Thompson’s Water Seal
and/or covered with canvas (either will keep the board flat). A turntable or lazy susan is required.
You also might find wood carving tools interesting to experiment with at this time (reference the
Lucchesi video).
Surfacing
You can use terra sig and patinas or underglazes and stain with an overglaze or glaze.
Criterion for grading
Anatomical accuracy, proportion, and gesture will be evaluated and discussed as you work.

Dates Monday, October 20th

First day of female model
Wednesday, October 30th
Last day of female model
Wednesday, November 26th
Critique
Art 2704C: Figurative Ceramics Fall 2008
Instructor: Thaddeus Erdahl
PROJECT 4: FIGURE IN CLAY: MALE

During this second figure modeling sequence the group will have a voice in the pose selected
(perhaps seated or standing). The model scheduled is to be male, to offer an experience with a
different figure type and anatomical articulation. This project will focus on developing modeling
style and increasing the size of the sculpture.

Building Method: Option to work solid or with slabs and pinch.

Size
The size of this vertical figure will be increased to 20”- 30” H.

Resources
Slides will be shown in class of ceramic figure sculptors who work within an academy style or
with evident anatomical consideration including: Doug Jeck, Ron Meuch, Joseph Chinard,
August Rodin and others.

Choose a figurative sculptor (realist) whose aesthetic style captures your interest. The artist can
be from any period in Art History or a contemporary figurative sculptor. The sculptor does not
have to work exclusively in clay.

Goals
This assignment requires that you research the style of the sculptor by looking at, at least ten
sculptural pieces by the artist. Choose one piece and do a drawing where you note proportions
and body type. Analyze it and list the elements of the sculptural style including; massiveness,
gesture, articulation (hair, eyes, hands) simplification, posture, draped/nude, facial expression,
etc.

Incorporate this “sculptural style” into the life sculpture of the male figure. The sculpture is to
remain anatomically correct and as life-like and “realistic” as your skills and perception will
permit. The style for modeling, however, might emulate Rodin, loose and flowing, might reflect
Donatello’s style tight and linear (compare to Ingres in drawing) or like Michelangelo’s muscular
articulations; massive hard and robust.

Surfacing
You can use terra sig and patinas or underglazes and stain with an overglaze.

Dates Monday, November 10th

First day of male model
Wednesday, November 19th
Last day of female model
Monday, December 8th
Critique
Art 2704C: Figurative Ceramics           Fall 2008
Instructor: Thaddeus Erdahl

Course Schedule

Monday
August 25 Introduction to the course and syllabus review

Wednesday Introduction Project #1
August 27 Alginate Demo
Start hand/foot maquettes 
Monday
LABOR DAY – NO CLASS
September 1

Wednesday Hand/Foot Maquettes due
September 3 Start big hands/feet
HW – Continue developing sculpture
Monday
September 8 In Class Work Day on big hands/feet
HW – Continue developing sculpture
Wednesday FIELD TRIP
September 10

FLORIDA MUSEUM
Monday
September 15 Last Day for Big Hands/Feet
Introduction Project #2
Faraut video will be shown in class
In Class Work Day on Exercise 1: Human Skull Study 
Wednesday Last day for Exercise 1: Human Skull Study
September 17 Faraut video will be shown in class
Load Bisque for Project #1, Tuesday Fire Bisque, Wednesday Unload
Monday
September 22 Glaze Project #1
Thursday/Friday Load and Fire Glaze Kiln for Project #1
Wednesday
September 24 Critique for Project #1
Monday
September 29 In Class Work Day on Exercise 2: Pinched Portraits Study

Wednesday
October 1 In Class Work Day on Exercise 2: Pinched Portraits Study

Monday Last day for Exercise 2: Pinched Portraits Study
October 6

Faraut video will be shown in class

Wednesday
October 8

In Class Work Day on Self Portraits
Monday
October 13 In Class Work Day on Self Portraits

Wednesday Last day for Self Portraits 
October 15 Introduction Project #3
Bruno Luchessi video will be shown in class 
HW­ Dry Self Portrait Sculptures
Monday Model Session 1 female
October 20 HW – Dry Self Portrait Sculptures

Wednesday Model Session 2 female
October 22 Load Bisque Kiln for Project #2 (skull, pinched portraits, Self Portrait),  
Fire Tuesday, Unload Wednesday
Monday Model Session 3 female
October 27 HW – Glaze skull and pinched portraits for glaze test kiln 
(to be loaded Thursday, fired Friday, unloaded Saturday)

Wednesday Model Session 4 female: Last Day with female model
October 29 Discuss glaze results
HW – Glaze portraits  (to be loaded after class on Wednesday)
Monday Introduction Project #4
November 3 Slide Lecture:  Contemporary Ceramic Sculptors
Wednesday Critique for Project #2
November 5

Monday Model Session 5 male
November 10 HW – Dry Project #3

Wednesday Model Session 6 male
November 12 Sketches due for Project #4
HW – Dry Project #3
Monday Model Session 7 male
November 17 HW – Glaze Project #3 over the weekend
Load Bisque Kiln for Project #3 and glaze test tiles 
(Fire Thursday, Unload Friday)
Wednesday Model Session 8 male: Last Day with male model
November 19 Load Glaze Kiln for Project #3 (Fire on Tuesday, Unload Wednesday)
HW – Dry Project #4
Monday Unload glaze kiln and clean shelves, Dry  Project #4
November 24

Wednesday Critique for Project #3
November 26

Monday In Class Work Day
December 1 Demo for cold­worked Surfaces
Bisque Project #4, load in Class (Fire Friday, unload Sat. or Sun.)
Wednesday Class work ­ Apply surface to Project #4 for Wednesday’s critique
December 3 Class cleaning assignment 

Monday Last Day of Class
December 8 Critique for Project #4
Clean up classroom, shelves, lockers
Fall 2008 – Notes to GTA
Figurative Ceramics - Art 2704C

Figurative Ceramics is a course in observational sculpting. Clay and ceramic processes are
used to sculpt the human figure. Learn more about life modeling, 3D portraiture and the use of
the human form to express personal ideas. Four interesting projects are offered along with a
wonderful new textbook and DVD series.

GTA Orientation (things we will discuss when we meet)

1. Textbook and video

2. Library Reserves
3. Scheduling models and informing office about this
4. Assigning lockers (dots and locker list)
5. Classroom storage shelves
6. Model stand and privacy on models days (sign and blinds)
7. Special materials – algi-safe, plaster and cost
8. Tools – turntable is a must, have students use their tools not their hands for hands tend
to rub out details and subtlties
9. Clay, glaze and firing
10. Props you an borrow from my office (please sign out and return)– visible man,
manniquins, human skull, pinched heads
11.Course Calendar ( Fall term holidays – Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Homecoming)
12. Projects and homework assignments
13. Demos vs working along in class pros and cons
14. Attendance and lateness policy
15. Grading
16. My role, Julia Morrisroe’s role
17.Superivsory meetings
18.Evening modeling session can be arranged for the class if needed
19. Lauren Garber life modeling for drawing
20.Drawing or med school – can you find a skeleton we ca borrow
21.Ultimate human body cd or others that talk about the way the body works can be purchased