I want to thank you for an excellent workshop focused on approaching sculpture of the head as a geometric form.
While you used guides to mark off the head into planes there was a constant emphasis that we were developing a way of looking at any part of the body or even an abstract figure.
You demonstrated how planes reflected light and could be used to draw our attention to specific features even after
the planes were rendered less obvious. Your constant reminders that I used good tool technique were needed. I still need practice. I continue to remind myself that I should stand as if practicing Tai Chi, integrating body, tool and vision.

Thank you very much for your skill, patience and the lunches we shared on your rooftop garden.

J’ai apprécié l’environnement lumineux dans lequel le cours est donné, entouré des oeuvres de Philippe Coudari. Le cours est bien structuré et bien expliqué. Le week-end a passé très vite et j’ai décroché de mon quotidien. Je suis très satisfaite de ma sculpture que j’admire tous les jours, posée au-dessus de mon foyer! Depuis ce cours je suis davantage consciente de ce que représente la sculpture. Ma façon d’en voir une dans un musée ou dans un paysage s’est enrichie, j’apprécie mieux la technique et les qualités artistiques. Je recommande ce cours à quiconque est prêt à y consacrer le temps et l’énergie nécessaires. Enfin le rapport qualité/prix est très intéressant.

My fiance and I are beginners in sculpting and we discovered the class of M. Coudari by internet. We are 100% satisfied with Philippe’s teaching. His method is simple and efficient yet challenging. M.Coudari is always ready to help the students and answer questions. The atmosphere is relax and laid back due to the teacher’s humor. The general principles of the art of sculpting are explained clearly which allows the student to go back home with the necessary tools to begin projects on their own. We recommend this course to anyone interested in sculpting.

The sculpture course we did last week was five stars. I definitely learned more in three days in your course, Philippe, than in both my sculpting sessions in college!

J’ai beaucoup aimé et appris dans ce cours. Comme par exemple la satisfaction de réussir le défi de sculpter une tête pour la première fois, l’expérience nouvelle de penser en trois dimensions, le sentiment d’avoir développé mon sens de l’observation, et la pratique d’une méthode de travail qui dépasse le cadre du cours… J’ai également apprécié les qualités de pédagogue de Philippe Coudari, sa générosité, et l’encadrement qu’il offre à chacun. Le cours est donné avec le sourire, dans une ambiance à la fois sérieuse et chaleureuse. Je suis sorti de ce stage enrichi. Je le recommande sans réserve!

Après avoir suivi le cours de sculpture de Coudari, je ne vois plus ce qui m’entoure de la même façon. J’avais bien touché à l’argile dans le passé … par le biais de la technique du modelage mais jamais à la sculpture. Quelle belle découverte ! J’ai adoré vivre cette expérience ! Peu importe le parcours de chacun, Coudari partage sa passion pour la sculpture et son savoir-faire en guidant chacun de ses élèves tout au long du projet. Tous à vos règles et à vos compas, concentration et écoute, notions anatomiques et mesures, tracés et coupes franches … partir d’un gros bloc et finir avec une tête … que c’est fascinant ! J’aurais aimé avoir la possibilité de suivre un tel cours à l’Université. Non, je ne vois plus les choses de la même façon depuis que j’ai suivi le cours de Coudari et cela va certainement influencer mon travail en peinture.

J’arrivais sur la pointe des pieds. Je suis repartie la tête haute. Coudari : tout un sculpteur, tout un professeur, talentueux et généreux. Merci Philippe!

Any beginner and even amateur sculptors should attend this class. The course is very intensive, very demanding and requires a lot of attention, but you learn a lot.
It shows you not only how to properly use the tools but also how to position your body so as not to tire quickly. It teaches you how to look at your work and that of others. The course does not show just technical elements, it also teaches a way of thinking and understanding sculpture.
After the course you will not see a sculpture in the same way.
I highly recommend it.

Mr. Coudari is a “master” in the manner he uses to explain this course. Knowing the art of visual form and color is not given to everyone. But the way he explains it, a simple form becomes a sculpture. Thank you for everything you taught me, it was very interesting and rewarding.

Having made a few non-figurative woodcarvings, this training allowed me to better understand the proportions of a face as well as to improve my sense of observation.
The method is very effective and the result surprising.
I recommend this course to anyone who likes the sculpture even if she has ever made.
It also allows me to better appreciate the works in Gallery and Museum.

We had a special experience. The approach of Mr. Coudari led us into a world when concepts, properly executed, becomes the tool for the work. He offers an approach that will allow us to put our future ideas and images into sculpture. Coudari, very generous in his explanations, helps us to see the sculpted object as a whole. I can highly recommend this intense experience to all those who seek to understand how to build a beautiful sculpture. To those who want to see what their hands can achieve, this workshop is for you.

Cet atelier m’a permis d’expérimenter le modelage d’une tête en argile. En suivant le processus du cours, cet exercice a apporté des réponses tangibles à mon questionnement sur les étapes à franchir en ce qui a trait aux volumes, à l’équilibre des formes, de l’ombre et de la lumière sur l’oeuvre finale. J’ai beaucoup apprécié!

This class is not only good for beginners but is also beneficial for sculptors who want to review and classify their discrete knowledge on form and light in such short period of time. I also learned how to use few sculpting tools and how to plan the portrait base more efficiently and more confidently. Thank you! thank you!

Finally! This course has allowed me to understand the logic of taking material away. Having worked more in my previous classes by modeling, adding material, my attempts to sculpt in wood and stone were not convincing. I have the sincere impression that now I would know how to approach those materials. After taking the class I am able to make a link to previous techniques and concepts. I now understand theoretically and practically, the idea of volume and the structure of the elements of the face through measurements.
I learned to place myself physically in the best position to be able to use tools that I had not often used. The artist’s studio is beautiful, bright, spacious and inspiring.
Philippe as a professor is patient, careful, precise and a rigorous sculptor. His approach and his course are both well thought out and delivered.
Bonus, the musical atmosphere is excellent!

It was a very nice experience both serious and beneficial. The subject of sculpture is approached from end to end, from the cut, the plans, the very useful notions of anatomy and by a great explanation of the use of tools.
The place is very well equipped, surrounded by plenty of plants; it is a source of inspiration and calm for working on your project.
I recommended this course to people of all levels wishing to deepen and structure their creativity!

While searching on the net, I came across an art course which was perfect for me.  Being 72 years old and without any training but with a great interest for art in general, I was seduced by the description of a sculpture workshop proposed by the artist-sculptor Philippe Coudari established in Verdun.

I was informed up front that this event took place over 3 consecutive days, on weekends, and, that it was not a creative workshop per se, but a theoretical and practical course aimed at transmitting his method for developing a bust from a block of clay.

But what seduced me and attracted me in an irresistible way, and that decided me to take his workshop, was the work he presented in his website. And how much more moving was the discovery of his actual sculptures whether in bronze, acrylic, or plaster, completed or in development. What wonders, among them are his sculptures: the “Crucified” and the “Genocide.” All these creations are scattered in a vast luminous space in the middle of an orgy of plants, each more exotic than the other, and where there are also spaces used by other artists, painters or sculptors.

Mr. Coudari is an exceptional teacher. First of all, he defines what a sculpture is, then, with the help of screen projected images or with the examples of  his work distributed in the workshop, he explains how the different components of a bust are articulated and how a superb face with classical characteristics will emerge from a block of inert clay.

Then begins the project during which, gradually, according to his instructions and thanks to different instruments whose use he explains to us, we cut piece by piece, him on his block of clay and us on ours, until first a skull appears and then slowly the different parts of the face.                                                                                  

Don’t worry if you are having difficulty, he has extraordinary patience and empathy, repeating when necessary, forgotten or misunderstood information or instructions and sometimes refining an unsuccessful action.

In spite of all the difficulties I experienced, and sometimes a certain discouragement, he was attentive, calm and proved to be an exceptional teacher.

One does not become an artist with this workshop. However, one will understand not only all the work that it requires, but also and especially, the moments of doubt and those of great happiness that a true artist, such as Mr. Coudari, can experience in his creative process.

Thank you

Nous avons vécu une expérience hors du commun. La démarche de M. Coudari nous entraine dans un monde où la technique, lorsque bien exécutée, devient l’outil au service de l’oeuvre. Il nous offre une approche qui nous permettra de mettre en sculpture nos futures idées et images. Coudari, très généreux dans ses explications, nous aide à concevoir l’objet sculpté dans son ensemble. Je ne puis que recommander cette expérience intense à tous ceux qui cherchent à comprendre comment se bâtit une belle sculpture. À ceux qui désirent voir ce que leurs mains peuvent réaliser, cet atelier est pour vous.

At first I was reluctant to take this intensive course – anticipating that it would demand energy, concentration and would test my ability to follow instructions. It soon became apparent that Philippe has an innate understanding of each student’s character and how best to work with them. He knows how to put us at ease by providing precise instructions supported by insightful explanations and peppered with a great sense of humour.  He raises our power of observation. His patience knows no limits. Be prepared for multiple corrections of your work if needed. This is a necessary part of the learning process.

As others have testified the experience of transforming a block of clay into a sculpture of a human head is thrilling. He transports us from a 2D world to one filled with volume, structure, light and planes. His style of teaching encourages us to truly see what exists around us as opposed to what we want to see. A trip on the metro or a walk down the street observing our fellow citizens will never be the same.

I thank you Philippe for giving us the tools to enter a new dimension on our journey through life.  

I always wanted to try my hand at sculpture but I’ve always hesitated to do so because I’ve never done art. I felt well supported. The atmosphere is relaxed, there is no competition, and I did not feel intimidated by the more experienced participants. The teacher is patient and an educator. I did not expect to be able to do what I have done in a weekend. This course gave me confidence in my ability to succeed in something new. Even my way of looking at things has changed. I so enjoyed the experience that I took the course twice!

Fin de semaine intensive, pour une première expérience de sculpture sur bloc d’argile. Je suis agréablement surprise de la tête faite. Un merci tout spécial  Philippe pour ta patience et le partage de ta passion. Oui, ce sera à refaire avec plaisir !