Does anyone else sculpt this way?

[martinmack]

This may be an odd question, but since I'm reasonably new in these parts I thought I'd ask. I find it very enjoyable to sculpt heads from a solid block of Super Sculpey Firm as opposed to building an armature and working from a ball shape. I was wondering if anyone else has had any success with this method?

The picture is a 1/16th headsculpt I'm working on, it's far from finished but you get the idea. As one of my last steps before backing I shape the head down to the about the top of the neck, then after baking I shape and sand the rest of the neck into shape...then I add the ears and any other details since it's super easy to add to Super Sculpey as long as you use a little vaseline to bond the fresh clay to the baked clay.

Looking forward to hearing if anyone else has any ideas on this technique, thanks for the input!

 

[TWOMOONS]

Done it this very same way for years..from day one. I fact I really don't enjoy working over an armature when doing the body; but I am doing so the last couple of years.
I you like the end results, then don't change...the head looks great too.
Do it your way.

 

[Jamie Stokes]

I agree, the head looks great so far.

I currently use the armature and clay method, mainly so I can get everything right for now.
(Anatomy and scale wise)If it works for you, great!

I may d this just to practice, and maybe find a method that works for me!

Cheers,
and thanks for sharing

 

[housecarl]

I don't sculpt, I struggle to paint. It looks like your method works well, if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Carl.

 

[garyjd]

At least one other person sculpts heads using the same method. ~Gary

http://www.onesixscale.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14249

 

[Andreas W.]

the guy who conversed the space marine also did it this way.This link was already posted some time ago.

http://coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?29899-Space-Marine-WIP-Part-1.

 

[Einion]

I often sculpt heads something like this way (using MagicSculp). Most of the heads in my sig were done using this method.

I will build up stage by stage, working over hardened putty, other times. Tend to use this more if I'm working in a larger scale or if I'm sculpting a face along with other things.

Einion

 

[martinmack]

thanks for all the comments guys, I'm happy to hear I'm not the only one doing things this way. My grandfather always used to say "If you look around and you don't see anyone, you're either leading the pack, or on thin ice"...I'd prefer to be neither, but rather in the company of you talented sculptors!

Here's another head after it's completed. One thing I was happy to discover is that the added on details are not fragile or prone to detaching, but quite durable actually.

 

[darkeye]

hi, i have 2 methods. i do the same as you with a square of material and draw the face on like a wood carver might and i use Rodins method of begining in profile so i rough out the nose and such on a ball or block (depends on mood) and when happy begin to carve out the basics.
i used to do all my miniatue heads as you do but plonk a blob of what ever on to a tile and begin by shaping the head outline.

very nice sculpt btw. all the features are real nice and he looks real heroic. captain america perhaps?


atb --tim