Sculpted Clay Creatures online workshop with Sam Clark

  • 20 Lessons.
  • About 7 hours of viewing time.
  • 10 Weeks of video access.
  • Questions answered via email.

Sculpted Clay Creatures Jun 9 - Aug 16, 2025

$226.00
Register
​During this 6-week online workshop, Sam Clark shows potters how to build different clay creatures. He starts with a clay dragon and highlights how to show emotions on the faces of the dragons. The second project is to sculpt a cookie or candy jar that looks like a troll. The head of the troll is the lid of the jar. A wheel-thrown mug forms the basis of the dragon mug. 
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As decoration of these clay sculptures, Sam uses acrylic paints on some of the sculptures and paints with underglazes on the rest of the clay sculptures. Blackwashing is one of the post-fired techniques that he uses to bring out an antique look. Mixing and matching colors is easy and fun when you know the basics of coloring.

Scroll down for a preview and for the contents of the online class.

Preview the Sculpted Creatures class

Contents of class

Sculpting the Dragon video 1 (19:31)
  • Introducing Sam Clark
  • Overview of this online workshop.
  • Tools and clay for this workshop.
  • Wedging and throwing slabs.
  • Handbuild the feet and learn how to shape the toes and toenails.
  • Build the legs and tail of the dragon.
Sculpting the Dragon video 2 (19:58)
  • Attach the legs to the feet.
  • Attach the tail to the legs and feet and shape the tail.
  • Create a bowl shape with the legs, feet, and tail to support the rest of the body.
Sculpting the Dragon video 3 (17:39)
  • Build the top part of the body and attach it to the legs and tail.
Sculpting the Dragon video 4 (25:11)
  • Add the neck and head to the body.
Sculpting the Dragon video 5 (24:34)
  • Add the eyes and eyebrows. See how the placement of the eyebrows can change the emotions shown on the dragon's face.
  • Add the nose and add additional character with the nostrils.
  • Add teeth to the jaws and sculpt the lips around it.
  • Add a breastplate to the body.
  • Add little horns above the eyes.
Sculpting the Dragon video 6 (21:23)
  • Firing considerations.
  • Make the arms with bent elbows and hands with the fingers and nails.
  • Make a small coffee mug that the dragon can hold.
  • Attach the arms to the body and let the dragon hold the coffee mug.
  • Learn techniques to reduce the weight of the clay sculpture.
Sculpting the Dragon video 7 (20:09)
  • Sculpt and attach the horns and ears to the head.
  • Make reptile scales on the whole dragon.
Sculpting the Dragon video 8 (16:25)
  • Add horns and additional texture to the back of the dragon.
  • Make and attach dragon wings to the body.
Painting the Dragon video 1 (22:24)
  • Which paints and brushes work for painting on clay.
  • How to mix and match acrylic paints.
  • Where to get inspiration from when choosing the colors for the dragon.
  • Tips for securing sculptures while painting them.
  • What is blackwashing and why do potters use this technique?
  • How to care for dirty brushes.
Painting the Dragon video 2 (20:23)
  • Which colors work well for painting a clay dragon?
  • How to create an antique look when painting the dragon with acrylic paints.
  • How to blend colors when painting with acrylics.
  • How to use different paint brushes for different design effects.
  • Use light and darker colors to emphasize lines and characteristics.
Painting the Dragon video 3 (27:38) 
  • Blending colors.
  • Painting and repainting.
  • Evaluating and correcting errors.
  • Consider the difference between a mat and a glossy finish.
Painting the Dragon video 4 (09:28) 
  • How to seal acrylic paint on non-functional clay sculptures.
  • How to seal painted functional clay sculptures.
Painting the Mushroom men (20:30)
  • Painting with underglazes.
  • Blackwashing and repainting.
  • Mixing and matching colors.
  • Why do we fire the sculptures?
  • Matt finishes vs Shiny.
  • Sealing the paint.
  • Choosing a signature on your work.
Sculpting the Troll Jar video 1 (18:22)
  • Preview the troll jar and lid that will be made in this class.
  • Form a cylinder-shaped jar.
  • Make the bottom of the jar.
  • Make the feet with toes and toenails.
  • Attach the feet of the troll.
Sculpting the Troll Jar video 2 (26:46)
  • Pinch the head of the troll jar.
  • Shape the mouth and nose.
  • Make eyes, eyebrows, and teeth.
  • Make the ears.
  • Make the arms, hands, fingers, and nails.
  • Make a little mug for the troll.
  • Add texture and hair. 
Sculpting the Troll Jar video 3 (16:09)
  • Prepare the lid and head of the jar.
  • Shape the neck.
  • Smooth out the inside of the lid.
  • Add a scarf around the neck.
 Sculpting the Dragon Mug 1 (18:37)
  • Preview of dragon mug.
  • Wedging clay to throw on the wheel.
  • Centering clay on the wheel.
  • Throwing a cylinder on the wheel.
  • Change the cylinder into a bellied mug.
Sculpting the Dragon Mug 2 (16:34)
  • Smooth and finalize the bottom.
  • Sculpt the dragon body an neck.
  • Make the jaw.
  • Sculpt the arm with the elbow, fingers, and fingernails.
  • Sculpt the leg, knee, and foot with the toes and toenails.
  • Attach the arm and leg.
Sculpting the Dragon Mug 3 (25:42)
  • Sculpt and finish the head.
  • Add the eyes, eyebrows, ears, horns, and teeth to the head.
  • Attach the tail and scales to the cup.
  • Shape the handle.
  • Smooth and do the final touches.
Painting the Dragon Mug (3:11)
  • Velvet underglazes.
  • Paint brushes.
  • Mixing paint.

Registration policy

REFUND POLICY
  • No refunding.
  • Submitting an online registration indicates your agreement with this policy.