SCULPTING THE HUMAN TORSO WITH VALETIA ZLATAROVA

Tutor: Valentina Zlatarova

Date: Monday 6 – Friday 10 July 2026

Time(s): 10.00 – 16:00

Location: Messums Studios, Chilmark, SP3 5DU

Course Fee: £700

Discover the art of sculpting the human torso in this 5-day hands-on workshop.

During the week participants will have two days when they will be working directly from a life model, and three days focused on studio practice without the model.

Participants will learn observation, how to capture the attitude of the figure, and how to build structure and rhythm. They will spend time learning about how to bring life to the surface of their sculpture.

On the last day, students will learn how to hollow their work so that it is possible to fire their sculpture and make it into a permanent artefact.

During the week we will touch upon topics such as composition, anatomy, surface, as well as sculpture within the context of art history.

All levels welcome!

Day 1 No Model

Establishing important anatomical landmarks and starting to block in the ribcage, pelvis, and spine. Short demo on the process of blocking-in the main masses of the torso.

Day2

Getting familiar with working from the model, building the main masses of the muscles in place, and repositioning our work from day 1, if needed.

Day3

Working with the model, to model form and fix our work from the previous day, taking sculptural notes to prepare us for sculpting without the model. Torso as a composition, short slides presentation.

Day 4 No model.

Formalising the form and finishing touches, taking pictures, and preparing for hollowing.

Day 5 No model.

Finishing touches, hollowing and re-assembling.

About the Tutor:

Valentina Zlatarova is a Bulgarian-born artist. She attended art school at the age of 13, in her hometown of Plovdiv, where she specialised in sculpture. In 2004 she was accepted at The Florence Academy Art's Sculpture programme, where in her last year of study she was offered a teaching position. Since 2007 Valentina has been teaching in Europe, Asia, and Indonesia both in private academies and public universities such as The Florence Academy of Art, The Art Academy London, Barcelona Academy of Art, La Salle University, Gaya Ceramics Bali, and many more. Valentina’s work has been well recognised and has received several awards for her sculptures, including the Founder's Sculpture Prize, and has twice been awarded the Tiranti prize for young artists. Her primary interest has always been the human form, working from life and using natural, sustainable materials.

*Please bring: notebook, packed lunch, apron, sensible footwear.

*Studio will add a firing charge according to the volume and firing processes selected.

Tea and coffee will be provided.