Portrait Sculpture for All

COURSE CODE: SC2404039

COURSE DATES: Monday 11th – Friday 15th August 2025

TUTOR: Hazel Reeves MRSS SWA FRSA

DAYS: 5

TIMES: 10:00am - 4:30pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £395

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

This engaging one-week course will guide you through the fundamental techniques that are used to create a Portrait Sculpture. The skills you learn throughout the week will help you understand how to examine the head from all angles. You will use drawings to assist the sculptural process and by observing the model throughout the week, you will gradually build on your piece and learn how to:

  • Use modelling tools and calipers
  • Use a  measurement system to set up the form of the head
  • Use the underlying structure of the skull to help with the form
  • Look at the 3/4 profiles of the head
  • Capture the models characteristics by indicating features of the face
  • Create light and shadow
  • Add in details and identify what needs to be improved

By the end of the course you would have a finished life-size portrait sculpture which you have the option of leaving to be hollowed and fired (this incurs additional costs).

Recommend booking by: July 28, 2025

All Levels

All attendees must be aged 18 and over.

This course is suitable for all levels. Students can move at their own pace depending on their experience, with as much support from the Tutor as they wish. This means an student from the following experience levels can join this course:

Beginner

Choose a Beginners course if you are looking for a broad introduction to the medium you are studying. Our Beginner courses are suitable for students with no prior experience.

Beginner +

Choose a Beginner + course if you are looking to hone your skills, focus on a specific subject area and build your confidence. These courses are suitable for those with some basic skills in and knowledge of the taught medium.

Intermediate

Our Intermediate courses are suitable for students who have considerable prior knowledge of the taught medium or have completed a Beginners/Beginners + course with the Art Academy.

Advanced

Choose our Advanced courses if you have considerable knowledge in the taught medium. You are expected to be able to work independently and have critical discussions around your work.

Please bring old clothes as you may get messy

Most equipment and materials are provided but depending on your chosen creative approach in the latter part of the course, you may need to source some materials yourself, also bring your own sketchbook if you have one.

If you work in clay without an armature, you will be offered the opportunity to have your clay pieces fired. Hollowing is necessary before a piece can be fired. This is optional and additional hollowing and firing costs will apply.

Hollowing Fees

£15 for a small figure; £20 for a portrait head; £20 for a large figure

Firing Fees

£15 for a small figure; £20 for a portrait head; £20 for a large figure

If you are using metal wire there may be an additional charge. The cost will depend on the amount of wire used.

The Hollowing and Firing process takes at least 6-8 weeks.  Make sure that you take a photograph of your work for identification. You will be informed by email when your sculpture is ready to be picked up.

HAZEL REEVES

MRSS SWA FRSA is an award-winning figurative sculptor who is passionate about people and their stories, and specialises in bronze figure and portrait commissions.

Hazel is never happier than when combining her passion for portraiture with telling stories of struggles for social justice and redressing the lack of representation of women in public statuary. In March 2018, her ‘Cracker Packers’ commission was unveiled, celebrating the lives of women biscuit factory workers from the Carr’s factory in Carlisle. Her much lauded bronze statue of the Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, was unveiled in St Peter’s Square, Manchester, on 14 December 2018, the centenary of when the first women were able to exercise their vote. Before becoming a sculptor Hazel spent many years promoting women’s rights internationally.

Hazel is an elected Member of the Royal Society of Sculptors, a member and former Council member of the Society of Women Artists (SWA), a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the advising sculptor for the Hove Plinth initiative.

She has been teaching clay portraiture in London and the South East for many years.

Bankside Campus

185 Park Street,London SE1 9BL

tel: +44 (0) 207407 6969

This is our new purpose built accessible campus. Find more information here

Nearest Tube/ Rail: London Bridge or Southwark (both a 10-15 minute walk).

Please note that London Bridge has two exits, the most direct route is to follow signs to “Borough Market”.

Students are welcome to use The Hub during break times, where you can prepare hot drinks and/or food. You must bring your own keep-cup, water bottle or food container to the Academy as mugs, glasses, and containers will not be available in our Bankside campus.

Tea and coffee will be provided by the Academy and is available from the island unit at the end of The Hub.

Terms and Conditions

  • By booking onto one of our courses you agree to our Short Courses Terms and Conditions.
  • You will need to have paid in full before the first session of your class. Your place is not guaranteed until we have received full payment. Please book early in order to guarantee your place on the course.

Materials & Equipment

  • If you purchased a pack online this will be given to you on the first session of your course upon your arrival. Packs can be booked on our Materials Page or on this page when you book the course
  • Please don’t wear your best clothes as there is always a chance you will get messy. If possible bring an apron or overalls.
  • All artwork at the Academy MUST be taken home at the end of each session where possible, with the exception of oil paintings and sculpture works.
  • We cannot store materials at the Academy, so please take these to and from your sessions.
  • Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off or is on silent during the class.
  • Health and Safety Guidelines will be provided to you a week before the start of your course.

Concessions and Discounts

We offer a number of concessions and discounts, please find more information on what we offer here.

Gift Vouchers

If you would like to purchase a gift voucher to be used on our courses then you can purchase these here.

£395.00

Portrait Sculpture, Short courses

Early Bird offer available until 21st May.

Offer exclusive to week-long summer courses running between July – August.

Please apply coupon code aa-summer-10% at checkout.