Corvids and Canines: Two types of Animal Portraits in Clay with Magda Gluszek
August 9, 2025 10AM – 4PM | August 10, 2025 9AM – 3PM | Theatre Studio
Whether you enjoy their company in your home or appreciate their howling from a distance, animals are intertwined throughout our human existence. This workshop is designed to broaden your ability to tell their stories through learning to sculpt expressive and realistic animal features. Two types of animal portrait will be demonstrated: the Corvid (raven) and the canine (coyote/dog).
A solid construction technique will allow for flexibility to make corrections and changes as we build. Portrait heads will be created on a simple plumbing pipe armature. I will also demonstrate how to remove a sculpture from the armature and hollow it out, so that you can complete the hollowing process on your own.
What You’ll Learn:
construct an animal head portrait from solid clay with the support of a simple armature
have a basic working knowledge of corvid and canine proportions
sculpt facial features (eyes, muzzle/beak, ears) in detail
apply realistic texture to imitate fur/feathers
remove a solid sculpture from the armature, cut, hollow and re-assemble the completed sculpture
Class Details:
Limited Enrollment: Ensures personalized attention and a collaborative learning environment.
All Levels Welcome: Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced ceramic artist, this workshop offers techniques and concepts for everyone.
Class Outline Day 1:
setting up the armature for sculpting
applying solid clay to the armature
forming the basic shape of the head
basic corvid/canine head proportions
plotting out placement of facial features
Class Outline Day 2:
Creating specific features: eyes, muzzle/beak, ears
Creating specific textures: fur/feathers
Overview of drying, cutting, hollowing and reassembly techniques
Materials: See materials tab for all materials
Age Requirement:
Ceramic workshops are designed for persons aged 18 and over, or with instructor approval.
25 0809w MG
Magda Gluszek
Magda Gluszek is a figurative ceramic sculptor, creating her artwork from clay as well as mixed media. She currently lives in Northeastern Arizona, where she feels deeply inspired by and connected to the surrounding high desert environment. Many of Magda’s artworks express a celebration, love and concern for the wilderness around her.
Magda earned her MFA in ceramics at the University of Florida and continued on as a resident artist at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Roswell Art Center West in Roswell, Georgia. She has also been an artist in residence internationally at C.R.E.T.A. Rome, the Skopelos Foundation for the Arts in Greece and at La Fragua in Belalcazar, Spain. Magda was an Invited Artist at the 2010 Figurative Association Symposium at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and a 2011 NCECA Emerging Artist. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and she has instructed workshops at several nationally recognized art centers, including Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Santa Fe Clay, Reitz Ranch Center for the Ceramic Arts, and Clay Arts Vegas. Magda is also full-time art faculty and gallery director at Northland Pioneer College in Show Low, Arizona.
Workshop Materials and recommended tools:
25 lbs clay (provided by Sedona Arts Center) – Any clay will work for this building technique. I suggest a clay body with low amounts of grog to make detailing easier. I typically work with red or white Cone 5 B Mix.
Banding wheel or lazy susan (strong enough to support up to 25 lbs of material)
Reference Images: I will provide some basic images of ravens and coyotes. If you wish to sculpt a specific animal, please bring reference images that are easily viewable. I recommend printing them or having them on a device with a sizable screen.
Basic sculpting tools with which students are most comfortable. I suggest Kemper JA17 wooden sculpting tool (or something similar):
Texture: A variety of tools can be used to create textures. This is my absolute favorite tool for creating feathers (HAX by mudtools.com):
I recommend a needle tool and a cheap paring knife with flexible blade (or something similar) for fur texture.
A few soft paint brushes will be used to soften texture and create variety in your mark-making.
(Optional – suggested if you are creating a larger form): A cheap plastic putty knife 1.5” wide:
(Optional – suggested if you are creating a larger form): A wooden paddle or short length (12- 15 inches) of 1inch x 2inch scrap wood.
A wire tool (I suggest a strong piece of fishing line with no handles attached)
A scoring tool (or needle tool)
Plastic to cover work
Spray bottle to wet down work
apron
several sheets of scrap newspaper
masking tape
Armature:
Prior to workshop, students should construct a simple armature with the following materials:
• Floor flange and threaded pipe. These can be purchased in the plumbing department of any major hardware store. Type of metal is not important. Diameter of pipe is not important, as long as it fits the flange. Pipe should be at least 6” long.
Wooden board for mounting floor flange. Board should be at least ¾” thick and at least 12” x 12” (Specific dimensions are not important)
4 wood screws ½” long, for mounting flange to board
*Although the demonstrations in this workshop will focus on techniques used to sculpt both a raven and a coyote, you may choose to focus on just one of these animal portraits for the duration of the workshop. If you choose to create two sculptures, you should plan to bring two armatures.
If your goal is to complete two forms, I suggest working at a modest size (no larger than 6inches wide). Everyone works at a different pace, so you may wish to plan on applying the skills you learn to complete your sculptures after the workshop has ended.
Image of armature after assembly: (sorry, it’s a little dirty)
Hollowing Tools:
small buckets for collecting clay scraps during hollowing
Piece of foam (like egg crate) for laying sculpture on while hollowing
A trim/ribbon tool for carving out sculptures:
Cancellation Policy
Registration and Cancellation Policies
Registration
Each student must enroll individually.
Classes must be paid in full upon registration.
Students may register online or call Sedona Arts Center Office at 928-282-3809, Ext 1 or toll free at 866-282-3809 Ext 1.
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express are accepted or student may pay with cash or check by registering in person during office hours Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.
In-Person and Online Classes Cancellation
Payment in full is due upon registration, or a payment plan can be put in place by the student upon check-out through Sezzle.
There is a $125 Cancellation Fee for any cancellations made before July 9, 2025. Remaining balance will be refunded.
There are no refunds after July 9, 2025.
If Sedona Arts Center cancels the workshop for any reason, all payments made will be refunded in full.
Note: If traveling to Sedona, we strongly urge students to purchase refundable airline tickets or travel insurance in case of workshop cancellation due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen changes. Sedona Arts Center is not responsible for non-refundable ticket purchases or lodging fees.
Important Message
Sedona Arts Center is not responsible for providing make-up sessions or issuing refunds, credits, or transfers for courses missed as a result of illness, emergencies, or other events beyond our control. There are absolutely no refunds after the cut-off date for any reason, unless Sedona Arts Center has to cancel the workshop, then all fees paid will be refunded in full.
~CM
The progression of instruction was perfect. Although students (I) will always want more time, Magda covered everything in the time allotted and made sure everyone got both the general instruction and individual feedback and guidance. Such a great class!
~JA
Magda covered all topics the class asked! She was a hands on instructor. She never rushed in her methods of sculpting…gave individual hands on instruction! Do bring Magda back for more sculpting workshops. Her instruction will elevate not only my work, but others as well.
~LA
Magda gave thorough demonstrations throughout and consistent individual feedback with accuracy and grace
