Botanical Glass Lifeforms

€750

• Glass Society of Ireland Members receive a 20% Discount

• Class fee includes all materials required

• Class fee includes lunch each day

• Accommodation available on campus - contact us directly via email for more details and to book

Botanical Study and Glass Sculpture

In the studio, you will learn to replicate botanical forms in glass. Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, you’ll learn techniques to capture the organic beauty of leaves, stems, flowers, and roots.

You’ll study plant structures closely, using flame to sculpt lifelike representations, focusing on the subtle details that make each plant unique.

We will explore glass working techniques such as colour blending, adding texture, and using multiple torch methods to create natural gradients and delicate forms.

Nature Walks and Guided Observations

Integrated into the workshop schedule will be guided walks through the local landscape.

These excursions will allow you to observe and gather inspiration directly from nature, whether it’s the windblown grasses of the coastline, the intricate branching patterns of trees, or the delicate curvature of ferns and ground covers.

These observations will become central to your artistic expression in the studio, as you translate living forms into lifelike glass sculptures.

Key Skills and Techniques:

• Colour blending in the flame to create realistic shading and depth.

• Sculpting leaves, stems, flowers, and roots.

• Assembling multi-part botanical sculptures.

• Developing an eye for detail, texture, and movement in glass.

• Proper handling of borosilicate glass, safety protocols, and torch work.

Workshop Schedule

Day 1: Welcome to Mulranny Arts!

• Orientation

• Guided Nature Walk & Introduction to Botanical Glass Sculptures

• Observing native plant life, taking notes, and gathering inspiration.

• Welcome dinner and a Pint at a local pub!

Day 2: Techniques for Realism in Glass

• Introduction to glass colour blending and sculpting leaves and simple forms.

• Guided focus on glass details: refining leaves, creating realistic stems, and blending multiple colours in the flame.

Day 3: Botanical Break Down: Making Components

• Guided nature walk for continued inspiration, focusing on plant structures and their movement.

• Crafting the many components and details found when we break down our inspired plants (seeds, stems, leaves, roots, life cycles, etc..)

• Incorporating finer details such as texture and movement in glass.

Day 4: Building Complex Botanical Sculptures

Day 5: Final Touches and Class Exhibition

• Completing and refining your botanical sculptures.

• Curating and setting up for the class exhibition…a party with our glass life forms and Mulranny Arts Botanical Glass Class Family! 

Skill Levels

While some flame working experience is recommended, beginners are welcome to join the Intro to Boro class, which is scheduled just before the class.

Whether you are new to glassworking or already familiar with the fundamentals, this workshop is designed to help each participant grow artistically.