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

Description

Learn about making automata or kinetic art at my fully equipped workshop in in the busy artist studios in North West London. Come with your project or I can suggest one to suit your interests. The course is designed so that you can succeed through a process of simple intuitive stages. Learn skills in mechanisms motors lathe work metal work brazing and silver soldering engineering Arduinos and servos Hours are usually 9am to 5/6pm. Lunch break 1 to 2pm. There are plenty of cafe’s in the area or bring packed lunch. Tea and coffee provided. Before you sign up, feel free to contact me via the "message the tutor" button on this page to discuss when your idea, when you’d like to start, which time and day and any other questions or prior to making your booking.

What's included in the price?

Six x two hours classes to fit your schedule. I stock a vast amount of materials and components which are are included in the course up to the value of £20.00. You will have full use of a well equipped workshop, including a band-saw, lathe, milling machine and scroll saw. 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. 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; and eye mechanism or ‘breathe life into an inanimate object with a hidden mechanism’ I have all kinds of projects to suit your ability, from beginner to the advanced student. Often the course can be paused to suit the students schedule if we've reached a stage where there is a lot to do by the next session. A little bit about my working background - I have conducted 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 Motion Arts, 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.

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