Large Puppet Construction...
using lightweight materials for when a wooden
puppet are just too heavy.
This course is now full... sorry.
|
14th
to 20th August 2011
in Devon. Tutor: John Roberts |
 Puppet for PuppetCraft's The Tin Forest. Designed and made by John. |
|
|
|
Comments
about past courses:
"Brilliant.! Thoroughly enjoyable."
"Loved every minute. Exactly what I wanted. Exceeded expectations."
"The most enjoyable course I've done…Relaxed, fun and very clear.
This man knows his onions!"
John
Roberts is one of the
most experienced puppet course leaders in Europe having run courses every
year since 1980 and the ONLY non-Chinese person to learn traditional Chinese
string puppet secrets during seven months study in China. He has run workshops,
internationally - in Sweden, Zimbabwe, America and Japan. His puppets are
some of the finest in Britain.
In the last few years John has been asked more and more to create large
puppets…. one has a head 3 meters across!
Aim
For you to learn how to design and construct a large puppet.
The week is planned to suit your needs.
The days will be as intensive or relaxed as you choose to make it..... there
will be beginners and experienced makers... but by keeping the numbers down
to 6 at most, individual needs will be catered for. Each person's level of
skill, aim and speed-of-working can be accommodated.
The aim is to make a complete puppet ... which is a
lot to do within the week... or you can work at a more leisurely pace. You
should at least go away with all the bits and knowledge to complete a truly
unique and beautiful puppet.
The puppet can be
a marionette or a rod puppet.
This is a course for adults: not for anyone under 18 years old.
Aspects that will be covered:
Design of a puppet; Safe handling of tools; Carving with a craft-knife; Working
with foam rubber and polystyrene foams; Paper mache; Making frames with wire
and willow; Some simple carving of wood; Clay modeling; Construction techniques
that produce a lightweight large puppet that really works!
Typically.
The puppet's head will be sculpted in clay and then paper mache-ed
to create a hollow lightweight head. Or the head will be carved from a plastic
foam and then paper mache-ed to make a solid head.
The body will be shaped from foam rubber using knife and scissors,
and covered in fabric. Or a framework is made using an elegant Chinese technique
of paper-wrapped wire, or from willow.
Limbs can be made from foam rubber or different plastics, dependent
on costuming.
Hands and feet can be carved in wood or shaped from foam.
Method.
The methods used are versatile, fast and require minimum tools or equipment......
you can use these method without the need for a bench, vice or electrical
tools.... using only a table and some hand tools.
All tools will be provided. Some specialist tools will be available for sale
at the end of the week.
In advance.
You will be asked to send a rough sketch of what you want to make with an
idea of size, so John can order materials.
Provided:
All tools, material and other odds and ends will be supplied to make a puppet
up to 1.2 metres tall and of a "normal" build. For larger puppets
and with puppets with more than two legs there will may be an additional materials
charge.
Tea, coffee and juice will be provided.
Timetable:
First day: Sunday: Start at 1pm. End 6pm.
Monday : Start 9.30am to 5.30pm.
Tuesday : Start 9.30am to 5.30pm. Evening session for those
who want to work on till 8pm.
Wednesday : Start 9.30am to 5.30pm.
Thursday : Start 9.30am to 5.30pm.
Friday : Start 9am to 5pm. Evening session for those who want
to work on till 7pm…. Maybe followed by a meal together.
Saturday: 9 to 1pm.
Where?
At: Rudolf Steiner School, Dartington, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6AB.
In a light, workshop-studio space, set in the beautiful Devon countryside.
Travel.
About 4 miles from Totnes which is on the main line train from London (3 hours).
A taxi from Totnes station costs about £12. There is a public bus that
goes past the venue… details on request.
Accommodation is available at many B+B's.
Typically a single costs from £30 to £60 per night.
Do sort your accommodation as soon as you can as this is a busy time of year
in Devon.
For possible accommodation contact the Totnes Tourist Information on 01803
863168 www.totnesinformation.co.uk
Ask for a booklet/list to be sent to you. If you do not have your own transport,
book accommodation that is near Dartington or Staverton, or on the bus route
between Totnes and Buckfast (Stagecoach bus route 88)..
A room at a family home: some friends may have a room or two available….
Details if required.
Camping and caravaning: Please contact me for details.
Food (not included): There are pubs and
shops within 5 minutes in a car.
Sight seeing and entertainment. You will be 15 minutes drive from Dartmoor,
45 minutes from beaches, 10 minutes from an excellent cinema on the Dartington
Hall Estate, where there is also the Dartington
International Summer School of Music.
Cost: Course fees £360.
This includes all materials and use of all tools to make a
puppet up to 1.2 metres tall and of a "normal" build. For larger
puppets and with puppets with more than two legs there may be an additional
materials charge.
Accommodation and food is not included.
The course may be canceled if less than 5 people apply, or
due to unforeseen events.... .....illness of tutor etc. - then naturally your
payment, including deposit will be fully refunded.
__________________________________________________________________________________
* Please book as soon as possible, as I need 5 bookings before I can secure
the workshop space.
Click here for a Booking
Form
I look forward to hearing from you.
Look on my web site for more background of my work.
www.puppetcraft.co.uk
John Roberts
PuppetCraft, 1 Venton Oak Cottages, Dartington, Totnes, Devon, TQ9
6DW. Great Britain.
Tel: 01803-867778 International phoning: + 44 1803 867778
Email: john@puppetcraft.co.uk
Mobile: 07973 442253