With nearly 30 years of experience in traditional sculpture and the film industry, skilled artist Javier Murcia shares knowledge on human anatomy, figure construction, and artistic expression.
These workshops are suitable for all levels, from beginners eager to explore clay sculpting to advanced artists looking to refine their technique. Learn to capture realistic proportions, understand anatomical structures, and develop your unique style—all in a supportive, creative setting. Join Javier Murcia’s workshops to transform your passion for sculpting into mastery.
Learn Figure sculpting with skilled Artist Javier Murcia. Enhance your sculpting skills learning in hands-on workshops across New Zealand, Australia and through online sessions.
KISS figure commission for Weta Workshop.
This is the first stage in which Javier sculpts the figure for a new line of collectibles produced by Weta Workshop. The figure was traditionally sculpted in clay, using models for reference. After Javier finishes the figure, it is scanned and finished on the computer by talented digital artists Jorgeline Jemen and other collegues at Weta Workshop. Here, you can see the end result and a preorder of the figure.
In this 10-week online figure sculpting course, designed for those who value flexibility, participants work at their own pace, making it easy to balance learning with other commitments. This extended timeframe ensures a comprehensive experience, enabling students to immerse themselves in the art of sculpting the human figure.
Throughout the course, we dive deeply into anatomy, pose structure, and proportion, using real-life models from Javier´s studio to demonstrate techniques and bring each lesson to life.
For a sneak peek into what you’ll learn, check out the video preview, showcasing the engaging, hands-on instruction you can expect in this sculpting journey.
Duration: 10 weeks
Level: Beginners, intermediate & advanced.
Starting date
Next workshop Starts on the 5th of June 2025
Students often face challenges in creating realistic heads and facial features in clay, therefore common issues like oversized eyes or misplaced ears frequently appear.
In these hands-on classes, students gain in-depth training on the structure and anatomy of the head, face, and neck, making it approachable and enjoyable for all skill levels.
With a focus on facial proportions, realistic features, and sculpting techniques, the Head Studies workshop equips students with essential skills for achieving life-like results in clay.
Duration: 2 days
Level: Beginners & intermediate
Dates & Locations
Otaki, Pottery Club
BOOKED OUT
Learning to sculpt the human figure can feel overwhelming for beginners, as intricate details often draw attention away from capturing the overall essence.
In a relaxed, friendly environment, Javier encourages students to embrace a creative approach while focusing on breaking down the human body into basic geometric shapes.
This structured method allows students to understand the body’s mechanical structure and develop a natural feel for weight, balance, and proportion in their work.
Duration: 2 days
Level: Beginners
Dates & Locations
Auckland, The Clay Center
BOOKED OUT
Otaki, Pottery Club
BOOKED OUT
As a dedicated instructor, Javier conducts 5-day figure sculpting workshops with model across various locations, primarily in New Zealand and Australia.
Students learn the technical aspects needed to convey a realistic sense of movement translating the model’s pose into a 750mm clay sculpture step-by-step, developing skills in capturing gesture, anatomical structure, and balance.
With Javier moving throughout the room, students receive hands-on guidance that helps them advance their figure sculpting skills and express their unique artistic style in an encouraging, creative environment.
Duration: 5 days
Level: Beginners, intermediate and advanced.
Dates & Locations
MOLDMAKING
In these workshops and tutorials, we will cover some of the main materials used to mold and cast sculptures; providing you with the information you need to source yourself. If you are joining us in a workshop you will be molding your own work. If you work from home, you will get an overall idea of the most important things to know so you can apply it to your work. You can always get in touch if you get stuck, we will be happy to help.
New dates
No dates scheduled
Head Studies
On line course
This is a 6 weeks course where you can work at home doing a full size head in clay. Javier covers the entire process from the proportions, simplification and anatomy in depth.
You will be working on a full size head using pictures from a model, plus you will have some homework aside. Javier will be doing a demo during the workshop and he will be reviewing your progress weekly.
New dates
From Sept 10 to Oct 15
6 Weeks
Sculpture studio © 2025. Javier Murcia.
Developed by Tulpnic.
Matthew Tan (X32 Lapis)I did a 2 Day Head Study with Javier. He was a great teacher to work with and helpful with the knowledge. Javier even went the extra mile for many of us when some of us forgot to bring plastic bags he told us no to worry that when we leave for the day he would go buy us plastic bags and made sure the clay were in workable condition for us to continue the next day. I would recommend Javier for people of all levels I myself went as a Beginner and thoroughly enjoyed my time. The interaction with other students was great too as we all chased our artistic endeavors together.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Adrian BosiI did a human figure workshop with Javier in Queenstown and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone either wanting to learn the basics or wanting to level up their skills to the next level. He's very knowledgeable of anatomy and gives you the tools to capture it in the sculpture, while also explaining the whys and the hows. The classes had the perfect blend of theory and practice (with a killer playlist in the background) and he was happy to answer any questions and provide info and tips all along. I only wish I could've also done the human head workshop as well.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. McLeod FamilyJavier recently came to Queenstown and held a couple of workshops. I attended the Simplified Figure Workshop- it was intense, but even as a beginner I coped because the information Javier imparted was supported by the armature (a tangible figure), thorough explanations supported by literature with diagrams, and demonstrations on how the body moves, where the center line falls and how it balances. I have learned so much that I can apply to my pottery future efforts. Speaking to other attendees- everyone enjoyed themselves and were impressed at what they achieved under Javier's tutelage. If you worry that your skills are not good enough to attend- don't, Javier is a good teacher. Just do it!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate RossJavier’s head study workshop was a fantastic two day intensive on creating a realistic sculptural work in clay. Learned a huge amount about the material and enjoyed a very different process from my usual way of working.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
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