FACES OF EXTINCTION

Course Overview

During this masterclass, you will: 

• Design and construct a complex resist for a bespoke animal mask 

• Learn to lay out wool layers to create colour, muscle, and surface textures 

• Create fur, hair, plumage, and sculpt horns, fins, wrinkles, and other anatomical details 

• Analyse sculptural planes, concave/convex surfaces, and volumetric form 

• Learn to problem-solve independently while guided by expert consultation 

• Develop technical and creative solutions to take your felt work further 

You’ll have the opportunity to work in both 2D and 3D, layering and sculpting wool to achieve a highly detailed mask while also exploring textural and sculptural effects.

What You’ll Walk Away With

By the end of the masterclass, you will: 

• Have completed a highly detailed, realistic animal mask 

• Be confident in complex felt layering, sculpting, and texturing techniques 

• Understand sculptural principles for 3D form and surface detail 

• Have strategies to work independently on future mask or sculptural projects 

• Have contributed your work to the Faces of Extinction online exhibition

• Build a personal reference library of techniques, ideas, and inspiration

What this Masterclass is not 

• This is not a beginner workshop; basic felt making, resist experience and felt making vocabulary is assumed. 

• You will not be learning basic wet felting techniques. 

• This is not a purely sculptural workshop: although sculpting is a very important aspect, the focus is on creating an animal mask from start to finish, using resist design, wool layers, surface techniques, feltmaking techniques, and sculpting.

 
Who this Workshop is  

• An advanced, immersive masterclass for creating a bespoke animal mask 

• A chance to explore detailed textures, realistic colour layering, and complex sculpting in wool 

• A supportive environment for experimentation, problem-solving, and independent creativity 

• A space to push your skills, expand your sculptural understanding, and produce quality work, while supported and guided

Who this Masterclass is for

• Intermediate, advanced, or professional felt makers with experience in 3D felting around a resist 

•  Students who have attended previous mask workshops with the tutor or can demonstrate equivalent skill 

• Students who have attended ‘Samples - Towards an Animal Mask’ workshop 

• Felt makers who want to take their masks to the next level with detailed realism and sculptural sophistication 

• Artists ready for a physically and mentally challenging, highly focused workshop ● Students who are self-motivated, able to work independently and are ready to challenge themselves

•  Those with an aptitude for 3-dimensional form 

Not suitable for: Beginners, or those unable to stand/felt for long periods, or with health issues limiting physical participation.

Why join this Masterclass

• Contribute to a meaningful international art project raising awareness of species loss 

• Learn advanced techniques for realistic animal masks and sculptural felt making 

• Gain expert guidance through one-to-one consultations and structured demonstrations 

• Join a vibrant community of motivated felt makers & regular students 

• Develop a professional, high quality mask for exhibition and portfolio  

• Learn skills and techniques that can be used in any felt making project

• Experience a combined approach of thorough planning and intuitive sculpting

Detailed program

All teaching/instructions are given in English. You will need a basic understanding & command of the English language. Some written handouts (in English) will be supplied. Simultaneous translation in French will be provided by a felt maker with extensive knowledge of the techniques taught.

Day 1 :  Shrinkage & Resist Preparation, Wool Layers 1 & 2

Learn template design, calculate shrinkage, and lay the first 2 wool layers. Learn how to stay in control of the wool, and how to build up colours.

Day 2 : Wool Layer 3-4 & Eyes

Build colour and texture; introduce eyeballs and construct eyelids.

Day 3 : Eyes, Attachments & Inclusions, Wool Layers 5–6

Add attachments and inclusions; feathers, wrinkles, ridges, scales, spikes, skin textures etc.

Day 4 : Fur, Hair & Locks

Complete wool layering; add detailed hair/fur/surface textures.

Day 5 : Untutored Studio Catch-Up

Student catch up day. There will be no tuition or supervision on that day but you will have access to the studio if you must to make preparation, review your work, check your notes.

Day 6 : Felting & Sculpting Start

Begin shaping, sculpting, and outlining form. Sculptor’s mindset and working with the fibres to achieve the desired shape.

Day 7 : Fine Sculpting

Sculpt fine details and refine shapes; afternoon tutored session.

Day 8 : Final Sculpting & Finishing Techniques

Complete mask; learn drying, de-hairing, and stiffening tips.

Day 9 : Untutored Finishing & Photography Session

Morning catch-up & finishing touches; afternoon photography session and celebration.

Monitoring of execution and evaluation methods

Although you will follow your own line of inquiry, learning is supported throughout the workshop via: 

• One-to-one consultations 

• Step-by-step techincal group demonstrations

• Illustrated explanations of a wide range of felt-making techniques 

• Exposure to the work and experimentation of your fellow participants 

• Access to untutored studio time to catch up or experiment independently

Materials available for students

• Each participant will benefit from a suitable individual workstation, with individual felting table adjustable in height, small felting equipment.

• Possibility of purchasing raw materials (wool, textiles, threads) on site if necessary and depending on available stocks. 

• Large light and bright workshop, abundant library specializing in textile art and colors.

Level of prior knowledge and prerequisites

The tutor has recently made some changes to mask making masterclasses. Due to the ever growing, popular demand for this topic, and the wide range of experience levels of students attracted to it, the topic has now been separated into two levels in order to serve students beer: 

• An Introduction to animal mask making - the basics (level 1); advanced preparatory workshopIntermediate.

• Faces of Extinction (level 2); masterclass.

Please use the definitions below to work out if this workshop is suitable for you: 

Total beginner: I have never wet felted before & wouldn't know where to start (but I may have dry/needle felted).

Beginner: I have made pieces of 2D wet felt but have not attempted any 3D work. I know the difference between felt and pre-felt. 

Intermediate: I am proficient in 2D wet felt making, and have made 3D work wet felt. I have basic knowledge of wool breeds, shrinkage/calculations, and have practical experience of working with pre-felt and felting around a resist.

Advanced: I am an experienced wet felter, and have very good working knowledge of both 2D and 3D wet felting techniques, including surface textures such as 'cracked earth' technique, and working with more complex resists. I have good theoretical knowledge of wet felting and have a practical understanding of the characteristics of different wool breeds and when to use them. 

Professional: Felt making provides my main source of income. I have excellent practical and theoretical knowledge of a wide range of wet felting techniques, including and exceeding those of the advanced felt maker (above). I have developed a parcular technique/style in my work. I currently am/would consider teaching my own workshops.

Masterclass application criteria 

This masterclass is intended for: 

• Intermediate & advanced feltmakers who have previously attended an animal mask making masterclass with the tutor.

• Intermediate & advanced felt makers who have attended the advanced workshop An introduction to animal mask making - the basics with the tutor. 

• Advanced & professional feltmakers who have not attended a mask making masterclass with the tutor, but can clearly demonstrate their level of complex resist and sculptural wet felting experience and ability. 

An aptitude for sculptural form will be helpful. 

Students in this masterclass should be ready to take their masks to the next level. Previous mask making experience and practical experience of complex resist work will be assumed, though exceptions may be made if the students can demonstrate a clear aptitude for sculptural felt work (this is up to the tutor’s discretion).

Compared to a level 1 Advanced Workshop, students will still benefit from the presence of their peer group and the wide range of applied techniques carried out in the classroom, but less me will be spent on the basics, and more independent work is expected (guided and supported by one-to-one consultations). Students are expected to do preparatory work in advance of the master class (see Advance Preparations, below), and to work additional, untutored hours if necessary, in order to complete their complex creation visions within the six days.

Applications for this masterclass may be assessed by the tutor in dialogue with the venue, through a student assessment questionnaire. Applicants may be asked to provide evidence of their existing skills set by providing a website address or photos on request. If an applicant is deemed not quite ready for this masterclass (even if they have made masks previously), they are warmly encouraged to apply to An introduction to animal mask making - the basics instead. The tutor’s decision on this is final.

Advance preparations
Upon acceptance, students will receive a Materials List including: 

• Pre-workshop homework: selecting an animal, researching anatomy, colour, texture, eyes, and horns/fur/plumage 

• Guidance on wool selection, prefelt, and accessory materials (lenses, fabrics, decorative elements) 

• Photography session preparation: appropriate clothing, letterboard, and display instructions 

Optional: Students may contact the tutor in advance with images or ideas for advice on materials and animal choice to ensure a flying start. Please respect the tutor’s time: This is not a personal tutorial nor a lengthy correspondence; it is purely to help you get off to a flying start and save time during the masterclass. gladys@gladyspaulus.com .

In some venues, Samples - Towards animal masks’ workshop may be offered in advance of Faces of Extinction. This is a highly recommended opportunity to explore and practice certain aspects of your animal masks in isolation, without the pressure of creating an entire mask.

Personal Financing Rate

9-day training course (46 hours): € 1120. 

Special price for Samples for Masks + Animal Masks: 1510€

Maximum number of students: 10

If your tax residence is in France:

Tuition fees may be covered by training organizations (OPCO, Vivea, Afdas, FAFCEA, France Travail, etc.) depending on your status and eligibility. Contact us for personalized advice and a quote at atelierdubocage31@gmail.com

Accommodation

Our residence is the ideal place to sleep on site throughout your training. If you would like to know more, write to us at atelierdubocage31@gmail.com