Wire Wagtail Bird Sculpture Workshop

Wire Wagtail Bird Sculpture Workshop with Sarah Dukes.
Create a slightly larger than life-size wire Wagtail sculpture and another bird of your choice.
Age group and abilities to be taught

18 years and above
Suitable for all abilities

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

Creating 3D sculptures from 2D source material
Observe key features of the bird to retail identifiable characteristics
‘Drawing’ these with wire
Building up layers of wire
Observational drawing using wire
Creating sculptural forms from chicken wire, including how to attach and connect the base shape, and how to weave the wire form

Course outline
Morning activity

Tutor will give verbal and written instructions at each stage and model examples will be available
Create 2D bird ‘drawing’ to familiarise participants with wire
Create body from chicken wire
Add outline of head and body, wings and legs
Build layers of wire to add colour and key characteristics

Afternoon activity

Use books and images to select second bird
Choose materials needed, cut lengths of wire
Apply skills already learned to create a new bird of your choice, real or imagined

What you need to bring with you:

Students are not required to bring anything however if participants have garden, craft, or other wires that they would like to use they are welcome to bring them along
Students are welcome to bring their own pliers
Gardening gloves to protect hands

What we will provide:

Chicken wire
A variety of craft and garden wires of different thicknesses
Materials and colours
Pliers and snippers
Instruction sheets that can be taken away
Bird images and books as source material

Methods of assessing outcomes

The tutor will circulate the group and provide individual feedback throughout the session
Self-reflection and peer feedback
Group discussion focusing on finished sculptures
Completion of evaluation form