Sculpture making practice.
Philosophy
“Material-based teaching focused on the visual qualities of surfaces and form, as well as technical knowledge. As a school, Materia Prima brings together making and understanding — each session grounded in process.”
Materials & processes
Cast, mould, build, layer — hands-on with real materials from your first session.
Workshops & Classes
Clay and Plaster Relief
Live, Vauxhall
A hands-on introduction to relief casting in clay and plaster — build a simple clay mould and cast a plaster version to take home. All materials included. No previous experience required.
20 September / 12:00 - 15:00
Group of up to 4
£60
Clay and Plaster Relief Online
Online
A live online session on relief casting for makers outside London, using materials you can source locally. A sourcing list is sent ahead and the recording stays available.
22 September / 16:00 - 18:00
Small cohort
£30
Object Cast
Live, Vauxhall
A hands-on session casting a small object in plaster — take a mould from an everyday object and cast your own version to take home. All materials included. No previous experience required.
27 September / 12:00 - 15:00
Group of up to 4
£60
Object Cast Online
Online
A live online session casting a small object in plaster, for makers outside London using materials you can source locally. A sourcing list is sent ahead and the recording stays available.
29 September / 16:00 - 18:00
Small cohort
£30
Hand Cast
Live, Vauxhall
A hands-on session casting a plaster impression of a hand — take a flexible mould and cast a detailed plaster hand to take home. All materials included. No previous experience required.
18 October / 12:00 - 15:00
Group of up to 4
£90
Hand Cast Online
Online
A live online session casting a plaster impression of a hand, for makers outside London using materials you can source locally. A sourcing list is sent ahead and the recording stays available.
20 October / 16:00 - 18:00
Small cohort
£30
Body Cast
Live, Vauxhall
A hands-on session casting a plaster impression of a body part — torso, arm or similar — worked from mould to finished cast. All materials included. No previous experience required.
25 October / 12:00 - 15:00
Group of up to 4
£90
Body Cast Online
Online
A live online session casting a plaster impression of a body part, for makers outside London using materials you can source locally. A sourcing list is sent ahead and the recording stays available.
27 October / 16:00 - 18:00
Small cohort
£30
Mentoring
Individual mentoring
One-to-one guidance on your own project, from material choice to finished piece.
From £120 per session
- Your project, your pace
- Technical guidance
- Studio access included
You'll pay now — we'll follow up to schedule your session.
Who it's for
Artists
Adding casting and mould-making to an existing practice, or translating a drawing into an object.
Designers
Prototyping surfaces, forms and finishes by hand before committing to production.
Architects
Model-making with real material behaviour — weight, set time, shrinkage, texture.
Curious makers
No background required. A few hours with plaster changes how you look at everything cast.
Practical
Do I need any experience?
No. Group workshops are built for complete beginners, and mentoring is shaped around whatever level you arrive with.
Is everything provided?
Yes — materials, tools, aprons and moulds are all included in the studio sessions. Bring nothing but clothes you don't mind marking.
Can I take my work home the same day?
Usually. Plaster and jesmonite pieces are demoulded in the session; larger or slower casts are left to cure and collected later.
Do you run private and group bookings?
We do — studio days for teams, universities and celebrations. Tell us the group size and date in the enquiry form.
Is this classical sculpture training?
No — you'll learn real technique in each material, but there's no single 'correct' result you're expected to reproduce.
Get in touch
Tell us what you'd like to make — we'll reply with dates and availability.
Studio
London, United Kingdom