About the event

Botanical casting is a fantastic way of immortalising the beauty of flowers and foliage to create long lasting works of art. Create two beautiful botanical casts on this full day course.

Local artist and SWT Events Manager, Sophie Coad, together with SWT Nower Wood Centre Manager, Louise Shorthose, will work in tandem to provide a magical day of converting natural materials into unique works of art.

Using clay and plaster, each delegate will gain confidence in developing the technique of bas-relief by creating a small cast using materials provided by the tutor. Learn how to prepare your clay, compose your scene, imprint your design and then use plaster-of Paris to capture your work.

While these initial pieces are drying, Louise will guide the class on a walk around the ancient woodland of Nower Wood, identifying various plant species and encouraging delegates to collect items for use in their second casting.

As the larger, second artwork is drying we welcome students to have their packed lunch and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this private reserve.

Art pieces will be ready to be taken home at the end of the session.

All materials will be supplied, but if there is something you already have which you would like to incorporate in your work or you have a special type of flower you would like to use in your casting, feel free to bring it with you (so long as you don’t mind it be covered in clay)!

Please wear old clothes and shoes, as working with clay and plaster is messy work!

Tutor profile: Sophie Coad

Sophie re-discovered sculpting in lockdown (after a 10year break). Since then she has enrolled in night school (while working full time at the Trust) and has been commissioned to sculpt a number of portraits and original works.  She is also exhibiting at the Lightbox Woking with Woking Art Society. When not sculpting she loves to paint and create botanical castings to sell and give as gifts.

For more information about her work, please visit @soulsculpturebysophie on Instagram or facebook.