Description
Masterclass with Fernanda Cortes – Figurative Sculpture
County Hall Pottery, London
Dates: 10th – 11th October 2026
Times: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Price: £250 per person
County Hall Pottery
Course Overview
This two-day weekend course offers an introduction to figurative sculpture techniques, providing students with the chance to experiment with clay, learn key modelling skills, and develop confidence in expressing weight, movement, and emotion through form.
While a full figurative piece may not be completed due to drying times, participants will gain the knowledge and guidance to continue independently. Rather than rushing the firing process, the course prioritises learning, process, and the integrity of the work.
Participants begin with a small study, focusing on gesture, balance, and emotional presence, before progressing towards a small-scale sculpture.
What You Can Expect
Day 1
- Introductory presentation on figurative artwork
- Student introductions and motivations
- Exercise: Action–emotion maquettes (e.g. “twist sadness”)
- Group discussion and interpretation
- Demonstration: Basic sculpting techniques (slab, coiling, pinching, modelling)
- Demonstration: Solid sculpting (max height 20 cm)
- Guidance on storing work and managing moisture in clay
- Studio clean-down
Focus: Storytelling through clay and learning fundamental sculpting techniques
Day 2
- Demonstration: Hollowing and reattaching sculptures
- Demonstration: Surface textures (e.g. teeth, flowers, fur)
- Student work session: Cutting, hollowing, reassembling
- Final sculpting and refinement
- Individual presentations (sharing process and outcomes)
- Studio clean-down
Focus: Sculpt, cut, carve, join, and refine with surface detail
What You Will Learn
- Basic techniques to sculpt with clay (slab, coil, pinch, modelling)
- How to build and refine a solid sculptural form
- Hollowing and reattaching methods
- Creating surface textures and details
- Managing moisture and safely storing work
What You Will Take Away
- A series of small unfired maquettes (gesture studies)
- A small-scale unfired figurative sculpture (up to 20 cm)
- Understanding of figurative sculpting processes
- Confidence to continue developing work independently
About the Teacher
Fernanda Cortes is a ceramic artist and tutor specialising in figurative sculpture. Her teaching focuses on storytelling through clay, combining technical instruction with an emphasis on gesture, emotion, and personal interpretation.
Key Information / Practical Details
- Dates: 10th – 11th October 2026
- Times: 10:00am – 5:00pm (1-hour lunch break)
- Location: County Hall Pottery, Belvedere Road, London
- Level: All levels
- Tutor: Fernanda Cortes
- Level: All Levels
- Class Size: Maximum 12 students
- Firings: Firings not included
- Price: £250
Materials:
Clay and tools are provided, including modelling tools, loop tools, turntables, and supporting equipment.
Firings:
If you would like to fire your work contact us via gallery@countyhallpottery.com during or after your course.
All classes will take place in our pottery studio at: County Hall Pottery, Belvedere Road, Waterloo, SE1 7PB.
A welcome email with further instructions about what to expect before your class is sent around a week before your class commences. This email will be sent to the email provided at booking.
Your instructor will meet you in the foyer of the main entrance to County Hall Pottery on Belvedere Road – you’ll know you’re in the right place if you’re standing on the beautiful mosaic floor! They will take you through to our studio space. If you are running late, please call the studio phone when you arrive as you will need to be escorted.
Please feel free to bring a sketchbook or notepad along to make notes during your workshop.
We really hope that you enjoy your workshop with us!
If you have any questions, please see our frequently asked questions page here or contact us at gallery@countyhallpottery.com.linux136.unoeuro-server.com.
Collection of Artwork
Your work will usually be ready for collection within 6 weeks, but times may vary depending on firing schedules. You will be notified by email when your pieces are ready for you to pick up from our gallery.
Shipping
You can arrange for your artwork to be delivered to you (for an additional fee) within one month of the original pick up email being sent out. If your pieces have not been collected or sent within this time-frame, then we regret that we will have to give them away to our local community, as we are limited on shelf space. While we follow best practices to protect all ceramic pieces during packaging, we cannot guarantee that damage will not occur in transit. Once your item leaves our gallery, we are not responsible for any breakage or loss that may happen during shipping.
In-person pickup is highly recommended for delicate or sentimental pieces.
Clay Allocation
A set amount of clay is included in the courses. Two kilograms of clay is included in a 3-hour class. Ten kilograms of dry clay work is included in a 6-week course. Additional clay is available to purchase at a cost of £2.50 per 500g of dry work. Work is weighed before the first firing.
Rescheduling, Cancellation And Refund Policy
* For one-day courses, when given 10 or more days’ notice we can either reschedule, refund or generate a gift code for rebooking your class.
* For one-day courses, when given 9 days or less notice for a cancellation for any reason, we regrettably are unable to reschedule or provide a refund. There are no exemptions. However, you can transfer your place to another individual. Please send us their name in advance.
* For courses longer than one-day, we regret we will not be able to replace or rearrange missed sessions. Please do not ask us to make exceptions.
* We can only accept one named individual to attend sessions for the duration of a course, individuals cannot transfer their place for any of their sessions.
* Gift Cards are non-refundable
* When an instructor is unable to teach a one-day class, for example due to illness, we will do our best to find an alternative. If that is not possible, you will receive a full refund. Notice of this will be given as soon as possible.
* If a teacher is unable to cover a session on a 6-week course, the session will be covered by an alternative and the class will continue as usual. Notice of this will be given as soon as possible.
Health And Safety Policy
* Pottery is a messy business, so it is advised that you wear clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. We provide aprons but you are welcome to bring your own.
* Please don’t wear loose clothing or jewellery that might catch and tie up long hair.
* Closed-toe shoes are preferable
* There is no eating inside the studio. Drinking is only permitted from a closed-top vessel. There is a kitchenette that adjoins the studio where eating and drinking are allowed.
* Please let us know if you have any allergies, health or accessibility requirements in good time before the class, by emailing gallery@countyhallpottery.com.linux136.unoeuro-server.com
* We aim to educate and inspire through fun workshops. In order for all participants to enjoy our classes, we retain the right to ask individuals to leave if their conduct is deemed unsafe or offensive.
Arrival And Lateness
* Due to our studio’s location in an historic building, please get in touch before the day of your class if you have any accessibility requirements at gallery@countyhallpottery.com.linux136.unoeuro-server.com
* You will need to meet your instructor at the main entrance of County Hall on Belvedere Road as the journey through the building to our studio is not straightforward! The class will gather in the foyer – you’ll know you’re in the right place if you’re standing on a beautiful mosaic floor! – and you will then be shown to our studio.
* If you are running late and the class has already left the foyer, a member of security will escort you to the studio. This may take some time – so please arrive early. You can enjoy our Gallery space while you wait!
Facilities
* Drinking water is provided in the studio, however if you require more sustenance throughout the class please feel free to bring items along.
* Our studio has a small kitchenette you can make use of and there is an array of cafes, restaurants and shops both within County Hall and the surrounding streets.
* Our gallery has a courtyard with tables and chairs that are free to use within gallery opening hours
* Toilets are available for use and adjoin the studio space
