Structural Self-Portrait & Character Transformation
- 8 days Sculpture Intensive July 2026 | Athens, Greece 40 Structured
- Studio Hours Maximum 5 Participants Small cohort. Studio-based
- professional training.
- A Focused Studio-Based Intensive workshop. This 8 days program explores sculptural self – portraiture through structured observation and combines artistic anatomy, character transformation, drawing and sculptural development in a structured studio environment.
PARTICIPANTS WILL:
- Study cranial structure and facial planes through artistic anatomy •
- Use drawing as an analytical tool for sculptural construction •
- Develop a structurally grounded self-portrait in clay • Transform the
- portrait into a character-based interpretation • Create a frontal
- mould of the portrait • Apply finishing techniques and mount the final
- sculpture on a base
Self-portraiture provides a direct and accessible point of study, allowing participants to observe and understand structure through their own features. From this grounded starting point, the process moves into transformation, where the portrait is developed beyond likeness into a more interpretative, character-driven work. By completion, each participant will have produced a resolved sculptural artwork suitable for professional documentation and portfolio use.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
- 40 studio hours/6-10 July Monday to Friday and 13-15 July Monday to
- Wednesday • Studio-based instruction and critique • Maximum 5 participants
This is a tuition-based intensive workshop. It is not a residency programme.
Self Portrait Study. Anatomy and transformation.
INSTRUCTOR
- Neil Bacon is a sculptor and founder of Art Hive Athens.
- He holds a Master of Technology in Fine Arts (Sculpture) from Nelson Mandela University (South Africa).
- He has served as lecturer’s assistant and metal sculpting tutor, while established and managed the university forge. His teaching emphasizes structural clarity, material understanding and disciplined studio methodology.
VENUE
- The workshop takes place at Art Hive Athens, an independent sculpture studio, owned by Neil Bacon, offering structured nine-month programmes and private tuition. It is located in Athen’s Center, walking distance from a blue metro line station (2-3min.). The space supports focused, hands-on studio practice within a small group setting.
SUITABLE FOR
- Artists with prior experience in drawing or sculpture • Fine art
- students or graduates • Practitioners seeking deeper anatomical
- understanding • Artists interested in combining observation with
- interpretative development A basic familiarity with figure drawing or sculptural practice is recommended.
TUITION
- €1,600
- Early commitment rate (until 30 APRIL 2026): €1,450
Includes:
- 40 hours instruction • All the materials for the project Does not include (but will help you with if needed): Accommodation • Travel • Shipping of artworks
Payment Schedule:
40% deposit upon acceptance (non-refundable) • Remaining balance due by 1 June 2026. Official documentation available for funding applications.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants are invited to submit bellow https://arthive.gr/event/self-portrait-intensive-2026/ or by e-mail: info@arthive.gr
- Short bio (max 150 words)
- 3–5 images of recent work
- Brief statement of interest (max 150 words) Applications are
- reviewed on a rolling basis until all five places are filled.