Sharing What I Know

One of the great responsibilities I have as an artist and tutor is passing on some of what I have learned through many years of art practice. Every artist has their own way of telling a story through art, their own visual language, favourite subjects and colours. For me, teaching is never about changing that individuality or forcing students into a particular style. In fact, I encourage personal expression and the confidence to explore creativity freely. But there are particular subjects I can discuss without affecting that personal expression, such as composition, balance and proportions.

all images by Sandro Nocentini at Centered Ceramics

What I try to share are the practical foundations that help make a work stronger and more resolved. Small adjustments in proportions, the placement of forms, the relationship between positive and negative space, or the way a figure carries weight can completely transform a piece from uncertain to expressive and convincing.

Recently I have been tutoring clay sculpture classes, working from live male and female models, mostly with beginners, and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch each finished sculpture emerge from the process. No two works are ever the same. Some students create bold and expressive forms, others aim for more delicate and sensitive interpretations, and regardless of how successful each piece may be, every work reflects the personality of its maker.

My role is simply to guide students so their work becomes the very best version of what they are trying to express. When it comes to sculpture, that may mean helping a figure feel balanced, making sure proportions relate harmoniously, or encouraging students to simplify forms so the overall composition becomes stronger and more readable.

There is something deeply satisfying about watching confidence grow within a class. A lump of clay slowly transforms into a human figure carrying character, emotion and individuality. Seeing students surprise themselves with what they can achieve is, without doubt, one of the most rewarding parts of my tutoring life.