Skiltonbrothers.com
I had so many requests to put a web site up detailing how to make models from friends around the world, without having a clue on how to set about it. My computer at home had Microsoft publisher which allows you to make web pages without being a technician.So I sat down and wrote this introduction on it, and this is my baptism to the web. In solving a modelling or sculpting problem, I will assume that you feel like I felt when I first started out on my career as an artist and sculptor.If you are more advanced than this, please feel free to browse anywhere on this web site that may be of some use to you..
For me, the first 30 years were the worst, but after that things got a little easier. ( I joke, of course,) but seriously, it did take a long time to acquire the experience and I sincerely hope you will enjoy and increase your own knowledge by looking at these pages. I was always into making things but never felt they were professional or worthy of being called a work of art as I had no formal art training .That all changed, when I got a job in a famous London pottery. It was here that I had
begged their manager to give me any job so
.
that I could learn about clay and start modelling the things I wanted to do.
It was a labouring job in the yard, and I had to unload all the lorries that came in with several tonnes of clay on board and it was my job to unload and stack them neatly in the warehouse .
Although the work was hard, I thoroughly enjoyed it as I could in lunch hours, and in the evenings, practice modelling with clay.At that time I lived quite a long way from the pottery, and the management would let me stay in the storeroom where I made my bed with some straw and sacks on top of the bags of clay and I was unofficially the night watchman keeping an eye on the premises. Now of course, with new safety rules and regulations.
It would not be allowed.
So for nearly 10 years in the late 60's and early 70's, I learned all about materials and methods related to the pottery industry. Of course, I was also meeting some of our most famous potters and artists and learning from them.
All the time.
When I left, it was a hard decision, as I had been made manager myself. And although the money was good, I was getting more involved with Administration and realized that I would have to leave if I wanted to pursue a career as a sculptor/modeller.
I set up my own pottery in Brighton Sussex and spent a few more years making and selling my models on the seafront.. At this time, I modelled in clay only.
Still feeling that I was a amateur without any professional qualifications.
I took my first plunge into the academic world, gave up my pottery and enrolled as a mature student at Croydon College of Art and design, where I got my HND After a further course of study, to obtain a BA. I was then very lucky to win a scholarship to the most prestigious teaching school in the country at that time: Sir Henry Doulton School of Sculpture in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. In all this time I was learning that there were other materials that could be used for making models. We will deal with all kinds of materials that you can use to make your own models. and indeed depending on the final result that you require, will give you an insight into how you should approach your subject in the first place.
I have made models in many materials, but I do have a preference for clay as I have used it more than any other in my professional life in the pottery industry. So this is it, my introduction to you and I wish the Internet had been available when I was learning, as least I could have saved myself a lot of heartache and money as there are so many sources to turn to for information and help on the web.The art and sculpture page on our CharlesArt web site, is the place to go if you would like to see other sites and information related to art and sculpture.
If these little tips and suggestions get you a little further along your artistic road without too much pain, it would have all been very much worthwhile and I really would welcome any comments,or suggestions you may have that will improve the site. Thank you
“ Working Together for You”
