Portrait Sculpture In Clay With Valentina Zlatarova

Valentina Zlatarova all way the from Athens, Greece is conducting a course teaching us how to construct anatomically correct head and to read human faces so they convey not just likeness to the model but emotions as well.

Participants can expect to learn how to construct a head well, how to use sculptural tools, how to hollow and re-assemble a head, and how to make work personal, discovering their own sculptural language. 

Fees Includes

The course, materials, firings, accommodation shared ( twin sharing ) or private cottage option, wholesome indian meals and snacks, DIY laundry room, access to guest space to lounge, read, relax, workout, farm activities, evening bon fires, tax. No extra charges.

Please choose the accommodation option below while checking out.

Manual Instalment Payment Option

If you'd like to pay in two instalments, 50% to book now and 50% to be paid two months before the course starts, please email me at hello@slowpottery.com and pay via a manual bank transfer/UPI/ International bank transfer or use Wise.

Dates  2-13 August 2026 (Check in 2nd August, Check out 13th August)

Slow Pottery Studio Location Velanga Orchard, Andhra Pradesh, India

Here's a guide to staying at our farm.

Accommodation & Studio Details below

Ceramic Artist /Facilitators  Valentina Zlatarova

Level  All Levels Welcome (Beginners must have basic skill and be able to make pots through handbuilding or wheelthrowing)

Duration  10 days

Maximum number of students per batch 9

Studio Hours & Materials

All days 10:00am to 5:00pm (workshop time)
Additional studio access from 5:00pm to 8pm

All materials will be provided

Note - If you'd like to sign up for two or three consecutive intensives you can stay with us at no extra cost during the break of three days. The Studio will be closed in preparations for the next intensive.

The Intensive

The course is about learning how to construct anatomically correct head and to read human faces so they convey not just likeness to the model but emotions as well. Participants can expect to learn how to construct a head well, how to use sculptural tools, how to hollow and re-assemble a head, and how to make work personal, discovering their own sculptural language. 

The expectation however and the focus of the course will be on learning and the process of making a piece, not on the finished product,( although we will do our best to have good results). The aim is for the students to come out of this course confident that they can construct believable portraits and have all the knowledge and practical tools to practise this on their own in the future. 

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

Getting familiar with the studio and materials, Introduction to the course, setting up group and individual goals, going through print outs

Starting putting clay on the armature and blocking-in the main volumes of the head, anatomy of the head, clearing our workstations and wrapping up before the end of the day

Day2:

Short slideshow on facial anatomy, establishing the proportions of the face and adding more internal information

Drawing in clay- erasing and re-drawing an outline, practising drawing in clay on our sculptures

Day 3:

The profile and mapping out the structure for the features.

Establishing the nose and setting space for the mouth.

Day 4:

Short slideshow on the lips and start the block-in of the the mouth.

Finishing the block-in of the mouth and finding position of the eyes.

Day 5:

Lecture on the eye and a demonstration.

Sculpting the eye and refining all other features, profile and beginning introducing transitions to our work.

Day 6:

Transitions and subtleties.

Finishing touches.

Day 7:  Free day, no studio

Day 8:

Subtleties and finishes.

Subtleties and finishes, hollowing if ready.

Day 9:

Hollowing

Putting sculptures together, surface work, drying work if assembled

Day 10:

Any surface work left from previous day

Drying, Loading the kiln, firing

Day 11:

Firing day

Day 12:

Opening the kiln, admiring results and packing

Cancellation Policy

- If you cancel before and on the 2nd June 2026, we will provide you with a 100% refund.

- If you cancel between the 3rd June to 30th June 2026, we deduct 50% of the total fees as cancellation fees and refund you the remaining paid amount.

- Post 1st July 2026, we will not be providing any refund. 

- In case of International payment refunds, the customer bears the transfer fee. It will get automatically deducted by the payment gateway.

- If your case of medical emergency informed at-least a week in advance, we can consider rescheduling the course (upon providing proof) Refund is not possible. Less than a week, we will not be able to help you.

- Due to any reason, you have to leave during the course, we won't be able to give you a refund or reschedule.

- We follow this policy without any exceptions. 

- We take three to four weeks to process the refund. 

Hope to see you soon!