ALEXANDRA SLAVA

Alexandra Slava, a traditional figurative sculptor and founder of the Berlin Sculpture Atelier, presents a highly anticipated, comprehensive guide to sculpting realistic portraits in clay.

ONLINE MASTERCLASS

Sculpting a Portrait in Clay

  • Upcoming Courses & Events

    Discover your creativity with our in-person art classes. Learn to sculpt, paint and draw — designed for all skill levels and including materials.

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  • Online Masterclass

    This online sculpting class will guide your hands step-by-step through the entire process of sculpting a lifelike clay portrait. Perfect for all skill levels.

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  • Sculpting Supply Shop

    Designed 𝘣𝘺 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴, these tools are crafted to become your new favorites. Our art supply shop has everything you need to start sculpting!

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  • Gallery

    Explore Alexandra Slava's gallery of timeless sculptures, available to enrich your space with artistic elegance.

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Upcoming Courses & Events

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Featured
Quadrupeds: Sculpting Four-Legged Animals in Clay
May 30
Quadrupeds: Sculpting Four-Legged Animals in Clay

Bring your favorite four-legged animal to life in clay in this immersive 3-day workshop led by the expert sculptor Sheila Verseck. Whether you choose to sculpt a horse, dog, cat, or another quadruped, Sheila will guide you through every step.

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Silver Clay Jewelry Workshop: Create Your Own Ring
Jun 21
Silver Clay Jewelry Workshop: Create Your Own Ring

Have you ever dreamed of crafting your own silver jewelry?Now’s your chance! In this exciting one-day workshop, you’ll transform a small piece of silver clay into a stunning pendant or ring—completely handcrafted by you.

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Draped Figure Sculpture - Intensive Workshop
Jun 25
Draped Figure Sculpture - Intensive Workshop

Master the art of sculpting the human form veiled in classical drapery in this immersive 5-day workshop. Working from a life model, you’ll explore the "anatomy of the fold"—learning to sculpt fabric that not only flows naturally but enhances the underlying form, gesture, and proportions of the figure.

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Silver Clay Jewelry Workshop: Create Your Own Ring
Jun 28
Silver Clay Jewelry Workshop: Create Your Own Ring

Have you ever dreamed of crafting your own silver jewelry?Now’s your chance! In this exciting one-day workshop, you’ll transform a small piece of silver clay into a stunning pendant or ring—completely handcrafted by you.

Learn more

Painting Workshop: Portrait in Oil
Jul 17
Painting Workshop: Portrait in Oil

Join us for an immersive four-day workshop led by professional artist Zane Prater, designed to elevate your drawing and portrait painting skills to new heights. Delve into the captivating world of oil painting and learn to capture the essence of the human form from a life model.

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Intensive Sculpture Workshop: Portrait from a Life Model
Oct 22
Intensive Sculpture Workshop: Portrait from a Life Model

Our comprehensive, Intensive Portrait Sculpture Workshop offers a unique five-day experience of sculpting a life-size portrait in clay from a life model, under the expert guidance of Alexandra Slava — all in the inspiring setting of the Berlin Sculpture Atelier.

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Sculpting the Hand
Nov 7
Sculpting the Hand

The workshop, led by Alexandra Slava, focuses on anatomy, proportions, and the gesture of a hand. Drawing from the knowledge presented during lectures and demonstrations, and using yourself as a reference, you will create a life-size hand in clay with a dynamic gesture of your choice.

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Full Figure/Torso Sculpture Workshop
Nov 26
Full Figure/Torso Sculpture Workshop

In this hands-on workshop, you may choose to sculpt either a 1/3 life-size full figure or a 3/4 scale torso in clay, working from a life model. With expert guidance, in-depth lectures, and personalized feedback, you’ll refine your understanding of proportions, anatomy, and gesture of the human body.

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What is new in the sculpting world

Featured
Loop Sculpting Tools: Essential for Precision & Texture in Clay Sculpture
Loop Sculpting Tools: Essential for Precision & Texture in Clay Sculpture

Guitar-string sculpting tools are essential for adding intricate textures and fine details to your clay sculptures. Perfect for creating lifelike skin textures, these versatile Looptools offer precision and control, making them a must-have for artists working in figurative art and portrait sculpture. Ideal for both beginners and professionals, they elevate your sculpting with clay experience.

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Where to cast a sculpture in Berlin?
Where to cast a sculpture in Berlin?

Berlin, a vibrant hub of artistic expression, boasts some of the finest bronze foundries in Europe. These workshops are more than just places of craft—they are where figurative sculptures come to life, blending tradition with innovation. Whether you're an experienced sculptor or exploring Mold Casting for the first time, finding the right foundry can make all the difference. In this guide, I’ll take you through some of the best foundries in Berlin, each offering a unique approach to sculpting, ensuring your vision is cast in bronze with precision and artistry.

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Creative Solutions for Storing and Showcasing Your Art
Creative Solutions for Storing and Showcasing Your Art

As sculptors, we create fine art that takes up real space in the world, but what happens when we run out of room at home or in the atelier? Instead of hiding your work away, why not let it be seen? From displaying sculptures in local cafés and professional offices to placing them in gardens or even public spaces, there are countless creative ways to store and showcase your work at the same time. This blog explores practical solutions that not only free up space but also bring your art into the eyes of the public—where it truly belongs.

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How to find the perfect Atelier in Berlin.
How to find the perfect Atelier in Berlin.

Berlin is a city bursting with creativity, but that also means competition for Ateliers and studio spaces is fierce. I needed a place big enough to create my sculptures and teach classes, but also one that respected my need for privacy — especially since my work often involves nudity and moments of deep concentration.

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In today’s fast-paced world, where efficiency and automation dominate, it is heartwarming to know that areas like fine arts, including sculpting with clay, still value patience and long attention spans. Fine arts, along with the disappearing art form of figurative sculpture, serve as guardians of timeless ideas amidst modern life's chaos. This makes it crucial to preserve and nourish the roots of our culture through creating and appreciating art, whether in art courses in Berlin, online sculpting classes, or hands-on DIY lessons.

Sculpture, a unique and ancient plastic art, embraces the third dimension, sharing physical space with both creator and viewer. From horse sculpting to human portraits, sculpture has historically reflected the philosophies and zeitgeist of its time. Representational art, often derived from real-world observations, celebrates the human form, long regarded as the pinnacle of visual arts, including sculpture. The combination of craftsmanship, artistic ingenuity, and timeless ideas in traditional sculpture transcends centuries, inspiring both artists and audiences today.

Despite its prominence in the past, figurative sculpture has become a rarity, both as a gallery centerpiece and a curriculum subject in many art schools in Berlin and beyond. The fast-changing modern world has drawn attention away from mastering craftsmanship skills necessary to sustain this tradition.

By establishing the Berlin Sculpture Atelier, we aim to fill this gap and reintroduce the joy of sculpting with clay and expressing ideas in three dimensions. Whether you're taking art courses in Berlin, exploring art supplies, or participating in a sculpting class near you, the Atelier provides top-level instruction rooted in the classical-realist methods of sculpture. Aspiring artists can enjoy DIY lessons or join a focused online sculpting class to learn how to sculpt. From beginners to professionals, we offer accessible and tailored guidance to make the mastery of traditional figurative sculpture achievable and enjoyable for everyone.

Our workshops and courses cover diverse topics, from portrait sculpture to drawing online, ensuring a comprehensive artistic education. By combining centuries-old traditions with contemporary approaches, we strive to carve a niche for traditional figurative art in today’s dynamic world while preserving the enduring power of the three-dimensional form.