Artesis Plantijn Hogeschool Antwerpen
Koninklijke Academie van Antwerpen
Modelling Figure 238311/3443/2526/1/54
Study guide

Modelling Figure 2

38311/3443/2526/1/54
Academic year 2025-26
Is found in:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts, programme stage 2
    Choice option within specialisation:
    • Sculpture within Fine Arts
  • Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts
    Choice option within specialisation:
    • Sculpture within Fine Arts
This is a single course unit.
Study load: 12 credits
Co-ordinator: Merregaert Nadia (dut,eng)
Other teaching staff: Cotteleer Anton
Languages: Dutch, English
Scheduled for: Academic year
This course unit is marked out of 20 (rounded to an integer).
Possible deadlines for learning account: 01.12.2025 (Academic year)
Re-sit exam: not possible.
Possibility of deliberation: You have to pass this course unit (will never be deliberated).

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Learning outcomes (list)

BA1 - The student has the necessary artistic skills to design and/or realize a personal project within the broad spectrum of the visual arts under supervision.
The student is able to start the development of a personal visual language on the basis of observation exercises.
BA2 - The student has the necessary knowledge, skills and insights regarding material, form, action, concepts, function and contents of the chosen medi
The student can perform simple moulage techniques.
The student can apply simple technical aspects of modeling.
You can translate the human anatomy into a 3D carrier in a modeling way.
You can construct a human figure on the basis of anatomical mechanical functioning.
BA3 - The student knows about and understands the social, cultural, artistic, historical and international context of the visual arts and artistic praxis, and continues to develop this knowledge and understanding.
The student has a thorough knowledge of historical and contemporary examples of sculpture.
BA5 - When developing his/her personal visual language the students starts from a searching and reflective attitude when developing one's own visual language.
The student can construct in clay a small figure study, based on perception, in a constructively and anatomically correct way.
The student can construct in clay a life-size figure study, based on perception, in a constructively and anatomically correct way.
The student can perform a moulage (of portrait, torso and life-size figure).

Course content

- Through sketches and discussions, the student learns to recognise the skeleton with the live model. Based on the proportions of the skeleton, the student learns to customise a steel structure (armature) that serves as a support for the final clay sculpture. The use of plumb and compasses can help the student achieve his goal. Once the armature is ready, the student can apply the clay step by step and in relation to the anatomy. If necessary, the student repeats the different steps to achieve a quality result.

- Having learnt the basics concerning moulage in plaster in BA1, the student is now taught the moulage of a life-size figure. The student learns how to make a lost mould in several steps.

- Through the creation of a folder with a selection of the student's chosen examples of figurative works by different artists, he or she can demonstrate what appeals to him or her. Through small clay sketches and drawings, the student can explore and develop his or her own visual language. The student is given space to experiment with clay according to touch, skin, surface, and form (tension). Besides using their own hands, the student also learns to use other 'tools' such as hammer, boards, scrapers, putty knives and loomers to work and personalise the clay.

- Step by step, the student makes numerous small figure studies in clay. Through constructive construction and anatomical research, the student achieves results.

- Through drawing exercises, anatomy lessons and observations of the models and human skeleton, the student learns about human anatomy. Through constructive modelling exercises working from the inside out, he or she learns to translate his or her knowledge into 3D.

- Through art history and specific art history classes, the student learns about the arts landscape. During the various practical lessons, visual material and text on both contemporary and historical sculptors are continuously presented and discussed. In addition, students are encouraged to search for images and theoretical material on historical and contemporary sculptors on their own.

Study material (text): Mandatory

Design studies

-sketches in various types of clay, whether ceramic-treated or not or via moulage technique.

-sketches in various materials such as cardboard, metal, plaster, paper, assemblage.

- sketches on paper (pencil, charcoal, acrylic,...)

Evaluation (text)

Continuous evaluation using show and check points throughout the year, culminating in a final evaluation at the end of the academic year.