Foundations of Glass Sculpture: Tools, Techniques & Form

A course by

Description

This course introduces students to the essential tools, materials, and basic techniques used in glass sculpture. Through a combination of video demonstrations, reading, and quizzes, learners will gain competence in shaping hot glass, working with cold glass, form development, and safety practices. Students will create simple forms while developing an eye for design and structure that underpins more advanced work.

Free

Free access this course

Level

Intermediate
Total Enrolled

2
Duration

36 hours 50 minutes
Last Updated

September 29, 2025

Proper safety protocols in a glass studio
Use and care of both hot-glass and cold-glass tools and equipment
Core hot-glass techniques: gathering, shaping, forming solids
Cold-working skills: cutting, grinding, finishing
Principles of design as applied to sculpture
How to plan, sketch, and execute a finished small sculpture piece

Course Curriculum

Module 1: Introduction & Safety
• History and philosophy of glass sculpture (Craig Mitchell Smith’s approach) • Overview of workshop safety: glass, heat, tools, ventilation • Materials overview: types of glass, kilns, tools

Module 1 Quiz
History and philosophy of glass sculpture (Craig Mitchell Smith’s approach)

00:08
Overview of workshop safety: glass, heat, tools, ventilation

00:08
Materials overview: types of glass, kilns, tools

00:08

Module 2: Tools & Equipment
• Hot glass tools: blowpipe, punty, jacks, tweezers, shears, molds • Cold-working tools: saws, grinders, polishers • Kilns and annealing • Maintaining tools

Module 3: Basic Hot-Glass Techniques
• Gathering glass, shaping, marvering • Basic blowing and inflation (if applies) • Forming solid forms (without blowing) • Using molds and marbles

Module 4: Cold Techniques & Finishing
• Cutting, grinding, polishing edges • Sandblasting or acid etching (if applicable) • Mounting, assembly, adhesives

Module 5: Form & Design Principles
• Line, proportion, balance, scale in sculpture • Surface texture, pattern, color • Translating sketches to 3D form

Module 6: Final Project
• Students design a small sculpture combining hot & cold techniques • Sketch to execution • Critique and reflection

Basic tools & studio access: access to a hot glass facility or glass-blowing studio (or instructor can provide options), cold-working tools (grinder, saw, polishers)
Glass materials: rods or chunks of glass appropriate for hot work; sheets or slabs for cold work
Protective gear: safety goggles, gloves, apron, face shield etc.
Basic sketching supplies: pencils, sketchbook
Ability to watch video lessons (internet access, streaming)

Video lessons with high-resolution close-ups
Downloadable readings and illustrated guides (tool glossary, safety manual)
Sketch templates and design worksheets
Sample project plans
Quizzes (after Modules 1, 3, and 5)
Feedback forum or assignment review with the instructor

Craig Mitchell Smith

Craig Mitchell Smith

Foundations of Glass Sculpture: Tools, Techniques & Form

A course by

Description

What I will learn?

Course Curriculum

Module 1: Introduction & Safety
• History and philosophy of glass sculpture (Craig Mitchell Smith’s approach) • Overview of workshop safety: glass, heat, tools, ventilation • Materials overview: types of glass, kilns, tools

Module 1 Quiz

History and philosophy of glass sculpture (Craig Mitchell Smith’s approach)

Overview of workshop safety: glass, heat, tools, ventilation

Materials overview: types of glass, kilns, tools

Module 2: Tools & Equipment
• Hot glass tools: blowpipe, punty, jacks, tweezers, shears, molds • Cold-working tools: saws, grinders, polishers • Kilns and annealing • Maintaining tools

Hot glass tools: blowpipe, punty, jacks, tweezers, shears, molds

Cold-working tools: saws, grinders, polishers

Kilns and annealing

Module 3: Basic Hot-Glass Techniques
• Gathering glass, shaping, marvering • Basic blowing and inflation (if applies) • Forming solid forms (without blowing) • Using molds and marbles

Gathering glass, shaping, marvering

Basic blowing and inflation

Forming solid forms (without blowing)

Module 4: Cold Techniques & Finishing
• Cutting, grinding, polishing edges • Sandblasting or acid etching (if applicable) • Mounting, assembly, adhesives

Module 5: Form & Design Principles
• Line, proportion, balance, scale in sculpture • Surface texture, pattern, color • Translating sketches to 3D form

Module 6: Final Project
• Students design a small sculpture combining hot & cold techniques • Sketch to execution • Critique and reflection

Target Audience

Requirements

Material Includes

Foundations of Glass Sculpture: Tools, Techniques & Form

A course by

Description

What I will learn?

Course Curriculum

Module 1: Introduction & Safety • History and philosophy of glass sculpture (Craig Mitchell Smith’s approach) • Overview of workshop safety: glass, heat, tools, ventilation • Materials overview: types of glass, kilns, tools

Module 1 Quiz

History and philosophy of glass sculpture (Craig Mitchell Smith’s approach)

Overview of workshop safety: glass, heat, tools, ventilation

Materials overview: types of glass, kilns, tools

Module 2: Tools & Equipment • Hot glass tools: blowpipe, punty, jacks, tweezers, shears, molds • Cold-working tools: saws, grinders, polishers • Kilns and annealing • Maintaining tools

Hot glass tools: blowpipe, punty, jacks, tweezers, shears, molds

Cold-working tools: saws, grinders, polishers

Kilns and annealing

Module 3: Basic Hot-Glass Techniques • Gathering glass, shaping, marvering • Basic blowing and inflation (if applies) • Forming solid forms (without blowing) • Using molds and marbles

Gathering glass, shaping, marvering

Basic blowing and inflation

Forming solid forms (without blowing)

Module 4: Cold Techniques & Finishing • Cutting, grinding, polishing edges • Sandblasting or acid etching (if applicable) • Mounting, assembly, adhesives

Module 5: Form & Design Principles • Line, proportion, balance, scale in sculpture • Surface texture, pattern, color • Translating sketches to 3D form

Module 6: Final Project • Students design a small sculpture combining hot & cold techniques • Sketch to execution • Critique and reflection

Target Audience

Requirements

Material Includes

UPCOMING EVENTS

PURCHASE WORK

ONLINE COURSES

Module 1: Introduction & Safety
• History and philosophy of glass sculpture (Craig Mitchell Smith’s approach) • Overview of workshop safety: glass, heat, tools, ventilation • Materials overview: types of glass, kilns, tools

Module 2: Tools & Equipment
• Hot glass tools: blowpipe, punty, jacks, tweezers, shears, molds • Cold-working tools: saws, grinders, polishers • Kilns and annealing • Maintaining tools

Module 3: Basic Hot-Glass Techniques
• Gathering glass, shaping, marvering • Basic blowing and inflation (if applies) • Forming solid forms (without blowing) • Using molds and marbles

Module 4: Cold Techniques & Finishing
• Cutting, grinding, polishing edges • Sandblasting or acid etching (if applicable) • Mounting, assembly, adhesives

Module 5: Form & Design Principles
• Line, proportion, balance, scale in sculpture • Surface texture, pattern, color • Translating sketches to 3D form

Module 6: Final Project
• Students design a small sculpture combining hot & cold techniques • Sketch to execution • Critique and reflection