Automata, mechanical toy & kinetic sculpture online: 12 classes

Description

Come with your idea for the project you want to make and be taught, one to one online. 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 - Engineering - Arduinos and servos 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?

Twelve one hour classes at a time to suit your schedule. In between classes you will receive support on sourcing materials and components, also I’ll send you info about kinetic artists and automata makers that you will learn & I think you might draw inspiration from. Mechanical art has always been a passion in my life, and I have accumulated a huge knowledge and know many contemporary makers in both fields. I stock a vast amount of materials and components which are included in the course up to the cost of £25.00 (including £5 postage). You don’t have to bring an idea as I can offer a variety of projects for all levels of experience and skill, 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, that’s helpful 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 taught for over 25 years in schools of all ages and am a qualified secondary level teacher. For 5 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 consult and technical service to artists, fashion designers, even magicians! I am co founder of Arts Republic, making environmental kinetic sculpture. A shorter (eight session) version of the course is also available (see 'More from this Maker' below).

What you will need

For this online course you will need access to basic tools, such as a drill, preferably a pillar bench press type, a range of hand tools: pliers, hammer, vice, hack-saw, wire cutters - the more you’ve got the better, although it is quite possible to make both kinetic art and automata with very basic tools, just look at the work of Alexandre Calder and Jean Tinguely (the Picasso of kinetic art) and what he achieved. If you don't have access to tools and workspace, I strongly advise joining a local Maker Space which can be an excellent way to gain access to extensive workshop equipment. Materials for sketch modelling: Card (different thickness), craft knife, scissors, punch, split pins, drawing pins, tape, wire.

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