{"product_id":"clay-sculpting-for-carvers-how-to-easily-prepare-a-clay-model-with-cam-merkle","title":"Tips and Tricks for Sculpting with Polymer Clay - Have Fun Creating a Clay Model with Cam Merkle","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003eDate: \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eFriday Nov. 20 7-9pm and Saturday, Nov. 21 9am-5pm (9 hours)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLearn to put together articulated models in polymer clay and open up a whole new world of creative possibilities. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEver thought about sculpting your creation in clay before carving it in wood? Perhaps you've read or heard about carvers who sculpt first and thought to yourself \"I have no idea how to do that\" or \"that seems like a lot of trouble to go to - I just want to get to the carving\". \u003cbr\u003eCam Merkle is one of only 3 Wildfowl Master artists in Western Canada and he has been clay sculpting his serious pieces since 2006. He has sometimes spent over 2 years (on-and-off of course) on a clay sculpture before starting the carving. The most challenging part of the creative process for Cam (and most other world-class carvers) is in the concept, design and composition. In this class you'll learn the techniques Cam uses to design and create his masterpieces for competition. Cam has developed his unique approach over the past 20 years to make the process straightforward and very manageable. Best of all, it's impossible to mess up a clay sculpture using Cam's approach. \u003cbr\u003eStudents can work on a 2\/3 size American Avocet or the project of their choice. If you wish to work on your own project please contact Cam as soon as possible so he can help you make sure you'll have suitable reference for a successful project. In past classes students have worked on a variety of birds, cartoon characters, a small horse, and even an octopus. Your choice is only limited by your imagination! \u003cbr\u003eCam uses wood, wire, sheet metal if required, and heat-set polymer clay. The clay stays workable indefinitely until it's baked to harden. The hardened clay sculpture can be used as a go-by model and also works well to practice painting if desired. \u003cbr\u003eClay sculpting (either as a model for an upcoming carving or as a finished product in itself) is a process where you can let your creativity run wild. You can alter the pose as much and as often as you wish, you can add and subtract parts or features, you can create the subject and the habitat and you can change all or any of it as often as you want! Sculpting has become Cam's favorite part of his bird carving process.\u003cbr\u003eCam will teach you how to easily create with and have fun sculpting clay. His process is quite simple and straightforward and works beautifully for pretty much any subject. \u003cbr\u003eAll materials are supplied to create a modest-sized project (approximately robin-sized or smaller). For those choosing to sculpt the Avocet Cam will also supply a pattern and photo reference material. Whatever subject you choose, Cam recommends bringing as much photo reference material as you can, along with drawings or sketches (if you have them - they aren't essential) depicting something you might like to portray. No previous experience in sculpting is necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorkshop fee includes all materials and tool use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003eCam Merkle \u003c\/span\u003eis the owner of Maple and Bass Enterprises. Cam has been teaching bird carving since 1984 and has been a teacher, judge and competitor with his carvings at shows and carving events all over North America. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003eThe Maple and Bass classroom\u003c\/span\u003e is a fully-equipped facility where each workstation has all the top-quality tools and equipment you will need to complete your project. Even if you have tools of your own, you won't need to bring them. With a selection of workshops year-round the Maple and Bass Classroom offers everyone the opportunity to discover carving and pyrography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003eLimit 8 students.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maple and Bass","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54445625213241,"sku":"MapleClass-PolyClay","price":120.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0727\/4663\/1481\/files\/IMG_0280-BGRemovedplusshadow.png?v=1788901920","url":"https:\/\/mapleandbass.com\/products\/clay-sculpting-for-carvers-how-to-easily-prepare-a-clay-model-with-cam-merkle","provider":"Maple and Bass","version":"1.0","type":"link"}