Automata, mechanical toy & kinetic sculpture making in artist's workshop: 6 classes

Description

Come with your idea for your project and be taught, one to one, at my workshop in the busy artist studios in NW London. As a teacher with experience from Primary to University levels I’ve designed the course so that the student can succeed, whether it be an automaton, toy or kinetic sculpture, through a process of simple intuitive stages. The course will involve an initial discussion with you through the Craft Courses messaging, where you can describe what your idea. Before you sign up, feel free to contact me via the "message the tutor" button on this page to discuss your idea, when you’d like to start, which time and day and any other questions or concerns prior to making your booking. The process starts with your sketches, following through to 2D card models - where you show me the movement you wish to achieve, through to 3D card and MDF sketch models to the final automaton or mechanical toy. Along the way there is the opportunity to learn about different types of mechanisms and skills, such as silver soldering, metal-work, how to make components so saving you money. Learning about motors, relays, electronics and Arduino coding is available. I stock a vast amount of materials and components which are included in the course up to the value of £20.00. A little bit about my working background - I have given workshops for over twenty-five years in schools of all ages and am a qualified secondary level teacher. For five years I was associate lecturer at UAL Wimbledon College of Art in puppetry, animatronics and automata - some of the work can be seen here. I also run Meta Props, where I offer a consultant and technical service to artists, fashion designers, even magicians! I am co founder of Arts Republic, making environmental kinetic sculpture. You don’t have to bring an idea as I can offer a variety of projects for all levels of experience and skill - you could make a classic hand-cranked or motorised automaton, or you could do one of my projects, for example 'To breathe life into an inanimate object with a hidden mechanism'. In this project you would choose any small everyday object, such as a book, and make it open - as if by magic. In this project the means of producing the movement is up to you - it is wide ranging from the low-tech of motors and cams as in automata, to the high-tech of Arduinos and servos, as used in animatronics. I also have all kinds of projects that will suit your ability, from beginner to the advanced student. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss a project you have in mind. Often the course can be paused to suit the student's schedule if we've reached a stage where there is a lot to do by the next session. What you will need Not essential but maybe bring your idea for a project. Before embarking on the course I encourage students to acquaint themselves with different mechanical terms such as crank, pulley and cam, from books and the web. I especially recommend 'Cabaret Mechanical Movement' which is an excellent book for beginners I look forward to hearing from you.

What's included in the price?

Six, two hour sessions (including £20 for consumables and materials). You will receive a list of materials and tools you will need to obtain, however you will have full use of a well equipped workshop. In between the sessions you will receive support on sourcing materials and components, also I can send you info about classic and contemporary kinetic artists and automata makers that you can draw inspiration from. Mechanical art has always been a passion in my life, and I have accumulated a huge knowledge and know personally many of the makers in both fields. On signing up you will receive a data sheet about my unique ‘Sketch Model’ methodology, reading material and where you can see automata and kinetic art in action - perhaps near you, maybe including some of my own.

What you will need

For this online course you will need access to a drill, preferably a pillar bench-press type, a range of hand tools; pliers, hammer, punch, vice, hack-saw, jig-saw, fret saw. Card, MDF, birch ply, various woods, brass rods, silver or bright steel rods.

Cancellation policy

Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Tom Wilkinson

with Craft Courses since 2019

Message the tutor

Since graduating in 1977 in Film Graphic Design at Kingston Polytechnic he has worked in visual effects, automata and large public artworks. He has shown internationally with Kinetica Museum, including the Contemporary Art Society and Ars Electronica. He is also co founder of Arts Republic, an arts collective specialising in environmental art for schools and museums. Fours years an Associate Lecturer at UAL Wimbledon School of Art in Technical Arts and UCL Bartlett