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Course Description

Image courtesy of David Salazar

This in-person studio course introduces students to observational sculpture through studies in a public park setting. Working directly from life, students will observe animals or birds at rest and in motion and translate gesture, balance, and proportion into small scale oil-based clay sculptures. Birds like pigeons, are familiar, expressive, and often overlooked, providing an ideal subject for exploring core sculptural principles including mass, structure, movement, presence, and material responsiveness. In addition to outdoor observation, students may complete a structured study using a simple wire armature as an alternative activity during inclement weather or periods of extreme heat, for example an avian wing study or other options related to animals. 

While grounded in observation, the course encourages students to apply these skills in ways that support their own sculptural intentions rather than a fixed stylistic result. The course emphasizes attentiveness, ethical observation, and process driven making. It is suitable for beginners as well as those with some prior sculptural experience. Studio work will be supported by demonstrations, slide presentations, and critique.

Park Setting: Butterfield and Grange Park, beside OCAD U (south side), McMaul Street

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Observe and analyze animal or bird forms, gestures, and movements from life,
  • Translate observational three-dimensional clay sketches into more detailed sculptural studies,
  • Model small scale clay sculptures with attention to mass, structure, balance, and presence,
  • Construct a simple wire armature to support studies when working indoors,
  • Develop confidence working both outdoors and in a studio environment.
     


Illustration by Maliha Ali of OCAD U Butterfiled Park, where part of this course takes place.

 

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in

Section Title
Sculpting in the Park: Observational Sculpture from Life
Type
Studio
Days
Sa
Time
10:00AM to 1:00PM
Dates
May 23, 2026 to Jun 27, 2026
Schedule and Location
View Details
Contact Hours
18.0
Location
Delivery Options
In-Person [Weekend]  
Course Fee(s)
Course Fee non-credit $815.00
Additional Fee(s)
Adobe CC $275.94 Optional
Potential Discount(s)
Instructors

Section Notes

As a Continuing Studies student, you will receive an OCAD U user account, which will grant you access to Canvas, and our on-campus WiFi network. Your Canvas account will be enabled one week prior to the start date of your course. Please log in at https://canvascloud.ocadu.ca. If you do not know your OCAD U User ID, please check your registration confirmation email. You can reset your password here: https://login.ocadu.ca/forgot. If you need further help, please contact us at continuingstudies@ocadu.ca

After enrolling in a course, please allow up to 5 hours for your student data to migrate to Canvas.

Please note that courses may fill up early or be cancelled due to low enrollment. Students are encouraged to register early, at least ten (10) days prior to the start date of the course.