Learn Figure sculpting with skilled artists

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.

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.

workshops

Realistic head portrait sculpture of a Maori person in clay.

HEAD STUDIES

Head Sculpting: Overcoming Common Challenges

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

 Auckland, The Clay Center 
BOOKED OUT

Queenstown, Wakatipu potters group
BOOKED OUTQUE

Figure sculpture simplification of a woman sitting and looking aside. Good example of figure structure in clay.

SIMPLIFIED FIGURE

Essentials of Figure Sculpting

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

Queenstown, Wakatipu potters group
BOOKED OUTQUE

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5 days FIGURE

Live Model in Figurative Sculpture: A Dynamic Artistic Process

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

 Auckland, The Clay Center
BOOKED OUT

ONLINE FIGURE COURSE

Create a Life-Like Figure from Home

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.

Upcoming Dates 

Dates expected to start next year 2025.

If you’re interested in this course and want to learn more, simply show your interest and GET IN TOUCH.
We will be happy to hear from you.

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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

Figure

On line course

Proportions go wrong, too much time is spent on detailing when the structure doesn´t work, getting a natural feeling of weight or distorted anatomy, and many other issues we go through to get the results. Bringing the human figure right is an everyday struggle for many artists.
If this sounds like the kind of issue you experience and you want to learn more in practice about how to find tools to correct this, while you do a full figure at home hand-to-hand with Javier, here is an opportunity to do so.
This course is a ten weeks online course where we will focus on studying a full figure from scratch.

New dates 2023

From March 25 to May 27

10 Weeks

Get in touch

We´d like to hear from you !

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