Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay: A Guide to Capturing the Human Form for Ceramic Artists

Explore the human form in depth, from concept sketches and armatures to detailed instructions for constructing legs, torso, arms, hands, and head from clay.

In Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay, renowned sculptor and instructor Cristina Córdova—recipient of the prestigious Smithsonian Women’s Committee Delphi Award for sculptural arts—teaches everything you need to know to replicate the full human figure using clay.

• Start by developing meaningful sketches and reference points.
• Then learn how to make and use an armature to create hollow forms that are safe to fire in a kiln.
• Using patterns and slabs, you can move on to develop a full human form, head to toe.
• Work along with the author to create a form about two-feet tall, or choose your own size: the patterns and instructions can work in a variety of scales.

Photographic demonstrations and diagrams cover the construction and articulation of feet and legs, the hip area and upper torso, arms, hands, neck, and head. Cristina includes supplementary tips and insights throughout to support the sculpting process and enhance naturalism. You’ll also find a brief section on general anatomical concepts and modeling strategies to facilitate accuracy and expression as all the components come together.

Whether you are a clay artist with limited experience in figurative sculpture or a figurative sculptor outside the world of ceramics looking for a straightforward fabrication strategy to create permanent compositions from clay, Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay will expertly guide your way.