Whether you want to discover the Michelangelo in you, or create models to really enhance your "development and design" applications, sculpting is a great hobby and a skill that can be learned, and it doesn't necessarily require any kind. of innate artistic ability. Anyone can do it! There are many materials that can be used for sculpting, but the most common, and also the easiest to teach and learn, is clay. The instructions in this guide are specifically aimed at sculpting with clay, but the basic principles can be applied to many different methods.
Warning: always try the various techniques with stock clay before applying them in your final sculpture. The solidification procedure should also be carefully tested to avoid burns.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Building the Base
Step 1. Make a sketch of your project
You should always do this before starting. It doesn't have to be perfect, but it must provide valid information on what you are going to do. Draw the sculpture from different points of view, in order to understand how the various surfaces come together, the height that the different parts must have, the actual proportions, and so on.
Drawing the full-scale sculpture sketch can be extremely helpful. If it was very big, don't worry too much, but if you have the chance, go for it
Step 2. Make the armature
Armor is a technical term that sculptors use to indicate "the support structure". Think of the armor as the skeleton of the sculpture. It is an important element because it prevents the sculpture from becoming too delicate and easily breaking.
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It is generally made of iron wire, the thickness of which depends on the size of the sculpture. However, if your sculpture is small or you don't have wire available, you can also use other materials. Simple sticks or toothpicks can work just as well. For larger ones, on the other hand, it may be useful to use PVC or plumbing pipes.
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Referring to the sketch, determine the main "parts" of the sculpture. Check the lines that define the areas and how they connect to the other pieces. Again, imagine a skeleton. Shape your armor by following those lines.
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Step 3. Add the filler material
Think of it as the musculature of your sculpture. It is generally abundant waste material, cheap and light. It is an important element as it allows you to save on material costs, and also keeps the weight of your final sculpture light (making it easy to move and lowers the risk of it breaking).
The materials used for this purpose are commonly masking or paint tape, tinfoil, newspaper, or even poor quality clay (not recommended)
Part 2 of 4: Shaping the Sculpture
Step 1. Start with the widest sections
Once your armor and filler material have been placed, you can begin adding the material you have chosen to sculpt. For the purposes of this guide, we will be using polymer clay (Super Sculpey or similar). Start with the largest touches to shape. At this point you just need a foundation to work with. If you want to sculpt a living creature (like a person, or an animal), then it's best to make these parts look like that creature's large muscle groups.
Step 2. Add the smaller sections
Start defining the shape of your sculpture more carefully. At this stage, you should still add clay or other material. These additions, as with the larger pieces, define the overall shape of the sculpture, but will cover the smaller surfaces. Continuing with the living creature example, these would be the smallest muscle groups, but also other elements such as the basic shape of long hair (not fur).
Step 3. Sculpt the details
Once you have finished the basic shape, you can start removing the material or arranging it better. This is the stage where you sculpt in the traditional sense. Move and smooth the larger parts to get the final shape, and start sculpting the smallest details (the corner of a cheekbone, the knuckles of a hand, etc.).
In the previous two steps you will mostly use your hands, unless the sculpture is very small. For this step, however, you may need to start using some tools. You can use special tools for sculpting or you can improvise some of them. Go to the next section for a more in-depth discussion on the subject
Part 3 of 4: Giving Texture to your Sculpture
Step 1. Identify the structures of the various surfaces
Examine your sculpture and think about the different materials that would form that object in reality (flesh, hair, fabric, stone, glass, fur, etc.). Using the original sketch, or using a completely new one, identify what kind of texture to use for the various parts.
Do some research. Look at many photographs that reproduce the various structures to understand how they work. You will be amazed to find out how complicated it can be. The hair, for example, grows in strands and you will need to pay attention to the length, arrangement and direction of each individual strand
Step 2. Give texture to various surfaces
Begin one section at a time, using traditional or improvised instruments. Only a limited number of suitable sculpting tools are needed, and almost all of them can be improvised using common household items. You will have to experiment to find out which ones you are best with; each sculptor uses his tools differently.
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Generally, broad-tipped tools are used to create larger details, while thin-tipped tools are used to fine-tune them. Spoon-shaped tools are used to create round surfaces. Those with a ring are used to scrape off unnecessary material. Anything with a sharp edge can be used for cutting.
Sculpt Step 8Bullet1 - You can improvise these tools using tinfoil balls, peppercorns, toothpicks, x-acto cutters, a toothbrush, a metal bead chain, a comb, knitting needles, crochet hooks, large and small sewing needles, cookie cutters., teaspoons for cutting melon, etc.
Step 3. Make your sculpture harden
Once you are done with the heavy clay work, you will need to subject your sculpture to the hardening process (if you want it hard; otherwise, ignore this step). Each type of clay has different drying methods (with hot air, in the oven, etc.); check the manual of the manufacturer of the clay used.
As a general rule, it is better to cook for less time (if possible, use a low temperature for longer periods) to avoid burning the clay
Part 4 of 4: Adding the Finishing Touches
Step 1. Paint your sculpture
If you want your sculpture to be colored, and the material you used is not, you can paint it. What type of paint to use will depend on the properties of the material used; acrylic paint can be fine for most cases. On the other hand, enamel paints are necessary (or at least recommended) for polymer clays.
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Prepare the sculpture before painting it by washing it with soap and water or rubbing it with alcohol.
Sculpt Step 10Bullet1 - If the paint layer is uneven, it may need to be applied several times.
Step 2. Add the polish if desired
Gloss paints and enamels can be used to create surfaces that need to look wet to be more realistic, such as eyes or an open mouth. Use polishes and glazes that are appropriate for the material you work with. A good basic option is the Modge Podge.
Step 3. Put the various materials together according to your needs
To create an even more realistic look, you can mix various materials as needed to achieve the desired effect. You may want to use real hair for a person's sculpture, real fabrics, or even dust, rocks and moss for the base of your sculpture.
Advice
- Soften harder clays by kneading them. The more you work them, the softer they will become, thanks to the heat and grease from your hands.
- Once dry, you can brighten up your sculpture by painting it with the appropriate paint.
- Different clay brands vary in hardness. Firmo Firm is great and Sculpey Original is quite soft and weak. You can mix different clays to get the hardness you want, as long as they have the same firing temperature.
- Cover the project with plastic when you're not working on it.
- Check out the DIY shows on television.
- Practice with Moon Sand or paper mache.
- Popsicle sticks are good for smoothing out. You can use any cutter to cut.
