FACES OF EXTINCTION (ANIMAL MASKS LEVEL 2)

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• 6 days  tuition + 1/2 day untutored time to finish  (some venues) + 1/2 day photography for online exhibition

• Type: Master class 

• Level: Advanced (application criteria apply)

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Today wildlife accounts for only 3 percent of earth’s land animals; human beings, our livestock, and our pets take up the remaining 97 percent of the biomass. This is due both to the explosion of industrial agriculture and to a hollowing out of wildlife itself, which has decreased in abundance by as much as 50 percent since 1970. This cull is from both direct hunting and global-scale habitat destruction: almost half of the earth’s land has been converted to farmland (Source: Peter Brannen, The Ends of the World)

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Faces of Extinction is an international community art project & online exhibition that aims to draw attention to the impact of human activity on eco systems and habitats, the huge challenges to wildlife across the world, and of imminent natural network collapse. Faces of Extinction occupies a dedicated Instagram site and Facebook page, and all images share a distinct set of guidelines to encourage visual unity.

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The masks resulting from this master class will contribute to on-line exhibition Faces of Extinction. For this reason, all animals chosen should be picked from the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species.​

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Prior to the course you will be asked to do some research on your chosen animal, as well as prepare a sign containing some basic written facts (more information on this will be provided in the Student Materials List sent out to you once your place is confirmed).

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PRACTICAL LEARNING

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During this masterclass, you will create a totally unique, bespoke and more ambitious animal mask than is possible in the advanced workshop An introduction to animal masks - the basics (level 1). 

 

A wide variety of animals may be created in this masterclass, with a corresponding wide range of techniques (including textural and sculptural effects, the application of fur and hair, fins, horns and more). The aim is to be as detailed as possible in the given time frame.

 

A certain level of independent work and initiative will be expected from you, yet you will be supported and guided through the entire process; from designing the underlying bone structure into the complex resist that will form the basis of your animal, through building up colour and “muscle tissue” through the application of wool layers, and surface applications such as plumage, hair, wrinkles or other textures, right to the complexity and challenges of sculpting in general (and sculpting with wool in particular). 

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You will be encouraged and guided to find your own technical solutions to challenges, so that you can continue making masks independently after the masterclass. But this masterclass will also challenge you to think beyond “just” felt making techniques, and a significant proportion of time will be spent on analysis of volume and sculptural planes, and the sculpting process in general. You will learn to analyse concave and convex planes, and how to plan, sculpt and shape the felt into a coherent animal form. 

 

Throughout this masterclass, learning is supported through 1-to-1 consultations, group demonstration, illustrated explanations, Q&A sessions. Written handouts (in English) will be supplied. You will also benefit from the wide variety of animals created (and wide variety of techniques used) by your student cohort.

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Making a realistic mask in felt requires a combined approach of thorough planning, intuitive felt making, an aptitude for 3-dimensional form,  and methodical, yet responsive sculpting. This process is time consuming and challenging, and it is imperative that only students with the right level of experience attend this masterclass. Without the relevant experience and understanding of wool, students will struggle and may not be able to finish their project (see Experience Levels and Masterclass Application Criteria below)

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You need to come prepared to challenge yourself physically, mentally, and creatively, as well as to  have plenty of fun and enjoy the possibilities of our chosen medium.  You are expected to bring inspirational photographs and sketches, samples and some ready-prepared elements (if appropriate). 

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​All teachings/instructions are given in English. You will need a basic understanding & command of the English language. Some written handouts (in English) will be supplied.

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PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION

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This masterclass consists of 6 days of tuition in total. In signing up to the master class, participants agree to take part in the photography session. This is not a tuition session, but an opportunity to celebrate the work you have created and to participate in the online exhibition. The photography session takes place in daylight on the morning following the final tutored day of the master class. Please come prepared with appropriate clothing and a letterboard (see separate Materials List provided on registration).

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Preparatory instructions are included in the Materials List, provided separately by the venue upon successful registration.

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COURSE OUTLINE:

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DAY 1: Shrinkage / basic anatomy / designing & preparing the resist / laying out 1 & 2

DAY 2: Laying out 1 & 2 (continued) / eyes 

DAY 3: Eyes /attachments / laying out 3 & 4 / 5  & 6

DAY 4: Laying out 5 & 6 (continued) / fur, hair, locks

DAY 5: Felting / sculpting

DAY 6:  Sculpting / finishes

Extra (day 7): Photography

 

EXPERIENCE LEVEL

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Due to the ever growing, popular demand for this topic, and the wide range of experience levels of students attracted to it, the topic of mask making has now been separated into two levels in order to serve students better:

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• An Introduction to animal mask making - the basics (level 1); advanced preparatory workshop

• Faces of Extinction (level 2); masterclass. 

 

Felting masks is a complex, demanding and physical process which requires wet felting experience, stamina and determination. In both the advanced workshop and masterclass, daily tasks will be set and the pace will be demanding. For this reason, regrettably, neither level 1 or level 2 are suitable for beginners, or those suffering from back or hand/arm injuries or other health issues that prevent them from standing/felting for long periods of time. 

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In the masterclass, practical knowledge of felting around a resist & a good understanding of  wet felting in general will be assumed, as there will only be very limited time to go over felt making basics during this workshop. Furthermore, you must have a willingness and ability to work additional untutored hours, if necessary, to achieve the daily targets set. An aptitude for sculptural form will be helpful but not essential. It is important that you only apply for this master class if you have the right level of experience. Without the relevant experience and understanding of wool, you will struggle and may not be able to finish your project. 

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Please note:

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• This is a master class. Good practical felt making knowledge and experience is assumed.

• The pace of this master class is VERY demanding, with targets to be achieved set each day.  Inexperienced felt makers will struggle to meet these targets, as there will be no time to go over any basics during this master class. Therefore, you must have

  • a thorough practical understanding of wet felting in general

  • an excellent working knowledge of making 3-dimensional wet felt around a resist in particular.

  • Ideally, you have attended previous workshop(s) with me. 

  • An aptitude for sculptural form is not essential, but will be helpful.  

• This master class is well suited to those who have attended ‘An introduction to animal mask making - the basics (level 1) advanced workshop previously.

• As part of the venue's application process, you may be required to complete a self-assessment questionnaire to help you decide if this master class is right for you. Answers provided will be shared with the tutor, in order to assess your suitability for this master class. Please be honest and realistic in your answers. The tutor's decision is final.

• This master class is NOT suitable for beginners or those suffering from back or hand/arm injuries or other health issues that prevent them from standing/felting for long periods of time.

• You must have a willingness and ability to work additional untutored hours if necessary (if venue allows), to achieve the daily targets set, and/or to come with ready prepared elements.

• This in-person master class is strictly limited to 10 students.

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Please use the definitions below to work out if this masterclass is suitable for you. More detailed information on the Application Criteria for this masterclass can be found in the next section.

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Total beginner: I have never wet felted before & wouldn't know where to start  (but I may have dry/needle felted)

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Beginner: I have made pieces of 2D wet felt but have not attempted any 3D work. I know the difference between felt and pre-felt.

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Intermediate: I am proficient in 2D wet felt making, and have made 3D work wet felt. I have basic knowledge of wool breeds, shrinkage/calculations, and have practical experience of working with pre-felt and felting around a resist

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Advanced: I am an experienced wet felter, and have very good working knowledge of both 2D and 3D wet felting techniques, including surface textures such as 'cracked earth' technique, and working with more complex resists. I have good theoretical knowledge of wet felting and have a practical understanding of the characteristics of different wool breeds and when to use them. 

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Professional: Felt making provides my main source of income. I have excellent practical and theoretical knowledge of a wide range of wet felting techniques, including and exceeding those of the advanced felt maker (above). I have developed a particular technique/style in my work. I currently am/would consider teaching my own workshops.

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MASTERCLASS APPLICATION CRITERIA

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This masterclass is intended for

• intermediate & advanced felt makers who have previously attended an animal mask making masterclass with the  tutor

• intermediate & advanced felt makers who have attended the advanced workshop An introduction to animal mask making - the basics (level 1) with the tutor

• advanced & professional felt makers who have not attended a mask making masterclass with the tutor, but can clearly demonstrate their level of complex resist and sculptural wet felting experience and ability

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An aptitude for sculptural form will be helpful.  

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Students in this masterclass should be ready to take their masks to the next level. Previous mask making experience and practical experience of complex resist work will be assumed, though exceptions may be made if the students can demonstrate a clear aptitude for sculptural felt work (this is up to the tutor’s discretion).

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Compared to a level 1 Advanced Workshop, students will still benefit from the presence of their peer group and the wide range of applied techniques carried out in the classroom, but less time will be spent on the basics, and more independent work is expected (guided and supported by one-to-one consultations). Students are expected to do preparatory work in advance of the master class (see Advance Preparations, below), and to work additional, untutored hours if necessary, in order to complete their complex creation visions within the six days.

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Applications for this masterclass may be assessed by the tutor in dialogue with the venue, through a student assessment questionnaire. Applicants may be asked to provide evidence of their existing skills set by providing a website address or photos on request. If an applicant is deemed not quite ready for this masterclass (even if they have made masks previously), they are warmly encouraged to apply to An introduction to animal mask making - the basics instead. The tutor’s decision on this is final.

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ADVANCE PREPARATIONS

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Once your registration has been accepted, you will be sent a Materials List by the venue, which also contains some pre-workshop homework. Please give yourself plenty of time before the workshop to complete the homework and to familiarise yourself with the materials you are required to bring.

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All students on this master class are required to:

• make a small felt sample prior to the workshop. 

• to prepare, print, and bring a "letter board" style sign, that you will hold in the photo (full instructions will be supplied on booking)

• to bring a plain white/grey t-shirt or vest for the photoshoot

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You are welcome to contact Gladys at gladys@gladyspaulus.com with a few images/ideas to discuss your animal choices and any advance preparations necessary, to save you time during the masterclass. This is not an invitation for prolonged discussion or a personalised workshop, this offering is purely intended to help you get off to a flying start during the masterclass.

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Please note that any preparatory work advised in this communication is in addition to the pre-workshop homework set in the Materials List.

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