Italian Portrait Sculpting w/ Vanessa Bortignon & Marco Maculan
Join us for an exclusive, 2-day workshop in the art of Italian Portrait Sculpting, led by renowned artists Vanessa Bortignon and Marco Maculan.
In this immersive workshop, you will learn the foundational techniques of anatomical sculpting. Vanessa and Marco will guide you through the process of capturing human expression in clay, focusing on proportions, facial features, and the subtle textures that bring a portrait to life. Whether you are an experienced ceramicist or a beginner looking to explore figurative art, this session offers a rare opportunity to learn traditional Italian methods in a contemporary studio setting.
By the end of the weekend, you will have hand-sculpted a clay head, gaining a deeper understanding of three-dimensional form and the emotive power of portraiture.
DATE & TIME:
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Sunday 4th & Saturday 5th April / 9am – 2:30pm (30 minute lunch break per day)
LOCATION:
- ClayGround Studio - Rosebery
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Beginner - Advanced (Open to all ages 8 & above - participants under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult).
Who are Vanessa Carlesso Bortignon and Marco Maculan?
Vanessa Carlesso Bortignon and Marco Maculan met at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, where they completed both their BA and MA in Sculpture (2022).
Vanessa works primarily with ceramics and textiles, exploring the relationship between body and material. She taught sculpture and printmaking in a studio in Venice supporting neurodivergent artists, and last year led workshops in New Zealand together with Marco.
Marco specialises in figurative sculpture, rooted in a lifelong dedication to woodcarving and strengthened through collaborations with established Italian artists and designers.
In 2024, they chose to begin a shared journey across New Zealand and Australia, teaching workshops while travelling — turning their passion for sculpture into a way of living and working together.
This workshop will explore both theory and practice, including;
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The proportions of the face and head
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Some anatomical principles
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Handbuilding modelling techniques
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The use of internal supports (armatures) to sustain the sculpture
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Hollowing techniques and preparation of the sculpture for firing
What's Included;
- Professional instruction from Vanessa Bortignon & Marco Maculan.
- 5kg of scultping clay per student to create their clay bust
- Access to all materials & tools
What to bring;
- Every student should come with a paper copy of the subject that they want to copy (the best option is a black and white frontal and profile picture).
- The second day it is advisable to have a box to bring home the sculpture.
- Lunch or a snack.
PLEASE NOTE: Firing is NOT included, if you wish to fire your finished sculture, it will be charged at our regular studio firing rate of $10 per kilo. fired pieces will be available for pickup 2–3 weeks later. Due to time and technical constraints, students will not have time to hollow out their bust during the workshop. However, you’ll leave with the skills to complete these steps independently during a future studio drop-in.