Hard time training, easy time fighting (help for beginner)

[Odi.et.amo]

Hello guys, firstly I apologize if I'm in a wrong category, but I thought that it will be better to put it here, than to "Just starting" section.
I began to think about starting the magic art of sculpting months ago, but in past few week, my little dream became reality. I bought some of the stuff, Super Sculpey Firm and set of tools from Am-Tech. I aslo purchased some of the Miniature Mentor video tutorials to help me, but the truth is, I am overwhelmed (big time). I honestly have no idea where to start. I have no clue what is each of the tool for and the videos didn't help very much. I know that there is no universal method of learning how to sculpt minis, but I just thought you could give me some aid. Because i have no idea what do do SO far I've learned how to made an armature, and how to make SS Firm stick to it, but making clothes, folds, anything that would resemble human being is beyond me. Could you at least tell me about the tools I have? As I said, their purpose I cannot find.
Please help me
(pictures of my tools - http://www.decodance.cz/produkt/am-tech-sada-modelarskych-nastroju-R0300/ it's a Czech shop, but there are photos of the set)

 

[Vermis]

I have no idea what content the Miniature Mentor videos have, but it'd be a good idea to learn something about human anatomy from an artist's point of view. I've often seen professional artists recommend names like Bridgman, Loomis and Vilppu among others, for beginners. Not to mention other resources like online videos and DVDs; life drawing classes; and at a pinch, a large mirror.
I'm waiting on copies of Bridgman's Constructive Anatomy and Lanteri myself; but other books I've found useful are Simblet's Anatomy for the Artist and the Vinciana manual. (I have more, but they're... not so good.)

Same thing with cloth: observe how different types of fabric and clothes drape and wrinkle. There are books and resources to help analyze all this too, though not so many.

And practise. Maybe the most important advice in this post.

Your tools look like the set of basic wax carvers that you can find everywhere. There's a short guide to their names in the dental profession, here; although that doesn't exactly help with what each is for!
Based on my own experience and a few anecdotes, if you stick with the wax carvers you'll probably end up with a single favourite for most of your work. Me, I like one with a blade (with a point and flat sides) at one end for cutting, marking, poking and spreading; and a small, rounded oval 'cleoid' to act like a fingertip: pushing, pressing, stroking and smoothing. For that I used a Vehe from a similar set, until I took an old Games Workshop sculpting tool (something like a clunky, badly-made LeCron) and ground it right down into a finer, Hylin-style tool.

With that in mind, I don't know the quality of the specific set you have in your hands, but it maybe wouldn't hurt to file down and polish any square or imperfect edges.

Or you might give up the wax carvers. I'm sure the gentlemen here will greatly expand on this post, and have something to say about toothpicks, needles, burnishers, and more.

 

[housecarl]

These silicone colour shapers are very useful.
Carl.

 

[Dan Morton]

I agree with Carl about the silicone color shapers, but the dental tools and other stuff are useful also.

Maybe you could start by just becoming acquainted with all the different shapes and indentations and stuff you can do with each tool. A lot of sculpting (for me anyway) is just letting go and letting your hands, motor skills and eye coordination take you place. Again, just my humble opinion mind you, but I think sculpting has things to do with like...riding a bicycle or bowling or stuff like that. You can't think about it when you're doing it. It's feel.

So get out there and play. Experiment. Have fun.

All the best,
Dan