Automata, mechanical toy & kinetic sculpture at artist's workshop: 4 classes

Sam reviewed: Automata, mechanical toy & kinetic sculpture making in artist's workshop: 1 - 2 day

"Thoroughly enjoyed my automta course with tom. He was quick to reply to messages and questions, and was also flexible with hours and times for course. I arranged a 2 day course, so that i could travel to London, and get the most of my time there. Tom was very knowledgable, patient, and helpful. I really enjoyed the course and was extremely pleased with what I created.. I would definitely recommend undertaking toms workshop."

Tom Wilkinson responded:

"Thank you Sam for your review. Considering this was your first venture into using mechanisms you showed great ability and intuition. I hope the quick class in silver soldering and brazing was useful - please feel free to message me if you require any further information. I wish you well with you future projects and your teaching practice."

Jesse reviewed: Automata, mechanical toy & kinetic sculpture at artist's workshop: 4 classes

"I recently completed an automata course, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the experience. Tom, the instructor, was exceptionally helpful, knowledgeable, and kind. His deep understanding of the subject made complex concepts easier to grasp, and he was always patient with my questions. Tom also brought the subject to life with various small automata models that demonstrated the structure and functionality in a hands-on way, making the learning experience more engaging and practical. What I also appreciate is his flexibility with scheduling—he accommodated my availability, making it possible for me to fully engage with the course material. If you’re looking for a comprehensive and well-supported automata course, I highly recommend learning from Tom!"

Juice Cui reviewed: Automata, mechanical toy & kinetic sculpture at artist's workshop: 4 classes

"Sincerely apologies for my late response to this significant feedback, due to my family issue and I was not accessed to my gmail🥺. Tom has been a brilliant and wonderful teacher who has told me a lot on working with metal, plastic, and automatas. I was very inspired on his talking robotic and it was a very beautiful project. We had been working on a lot of small projects together. I am very thankful to Tom who has wonderfully helped me on looking for a lot of important materials including a trolley. Finally we made a little drum machine together and it was brilliantly moving and lovely. I would strongly recommend this course, even if you are a beginner or a skillfull artist because Tom is very patient and knowledgeable."

Tom Wilkinson responded:

"I was honoured to help Juice out on her degree project. We both hit it off with mutual fascination with William Kendricks' mechanical theatre. She is highly creative and proved a very receptive student in learning new skills. I wish her great success on her forthcoming masters course."

Mark MDS reviewed: Automata, mechanical toy & kinetic sculpture online: 8 classes

"Tom has been an inspiration throughout. His advice, support, ideas and challenges have made the whole process enormously enjoyable. As I am a total novice, Toms patience, encouragement and suggestions have made it possible to work at a pace that suits my learning style and yet gets results. Many thanks Tom… on to the next project 🙄"

Andy reviewed: Automata, mechanical toy & kinetic sculpture online: 8 classes

"Tom is an excellent tutor and we got on really well. The sessions were really useful and I’ve learned a lot about technical drawings, building “sketch” models out of cardboard and other cheap materials before moving on to MDF board prototypes in preparation for the final model made in more expensive materials: best quality plywood, with brass and steel elements. Tom really helped me with the design element of the process and I learned to appreciate the more thoughtful approach he suggested. He also recommended other makers whose work was worth looking at and books that would provide help and advice. Along the way I’ve learned the pros and cons of different types of materials and fabrication techniques. It’s the first time I’ve done some of this (tech drawing, brass work and silver soldering) since third year metalwork at school in 1969 - I’m much better at it now than I was then!"

Tom Wilkinson responded:

"Andy was a very capable student. Not entirely a novice to start with, but with excellent making skills and a keenness to learn. He accepted the challenge of making a more complex mechanism in order to up the illusionary effect and worked hard to forfil each stage set. I hope he came away by the end of the course armed with a variety of techniques and tips that will enable him to grow and expand his automata making horizons. Although Andy didn't get to finishing his project, we did reach the final stage where all the tricky stuff had been worked out so he could proceed at his own pace, between tending his garden, in making the final version and bringing it to life with refinement of the characterisation and surface finish. I really look forward to seeing the finished automaton."

Sara reviewed: Automata, mechanical toy & kinetic sculpture online: 8 classes

"This is a very satisfying and enjoyable course to take. Tom is an excellent tutor who adapts his teaching method to the individual. He is very knowledgeable about his subject matter and shares this expertise readily. The course is online, but we were still able to communicate what needed to be seen and heard. Although I undertook this course as part of a practical research project, it has been good grounding and I am now fascinated by, and committed to making more complex automata."

Suzie reviewed: Automata, mechanical toy & kinetic sculpture online: 8 classes

"Tom is an inspirational tutor, full of ideas and recommendations. I've already learned so much and built my first cardboard sketch. I have an understanding on what tools to use and how to examine an animal in order to translate that into a 2D moving piece. Tom has recommended other artists for me to look at and that has led to new ideas and even more inspiration. A great start to a wonderful programme!"