I am new to scupting

[dbang1988]

Hi, I have been building aircraft and figure models for few years and Irealize a lot of details and stuffs cannot be bought in store. The only way is scrapt building and scupting. But I have totally no idea how and where to start with scupting. I am wondering if anyone expert in here may give me some recommendations or directions.
What tools, stuffs, reference books, I need to start with?
Thank you very much.

Sincerely yours
Bang

 

[minimaker]

Hi,

what scale do you want to sculpt in?

As to tools and stuff, well, you need some putty and stuff to push it around with. Wax carvers for instance. Wire for the armatures and something to bend and cut the wires with. A measuring tool can be usefull too.

Reference books. Well, I just refreshed the reference list over at coolminiornot (http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=5764) which has books and websites. What you'll need is to get familiar with human proportions, anatomy, clothing behaviour, etc. Have a look at your local book discount store or library. They should have some basic books in the drawing/art section.

Bye, Ming-Hua

Coolmini web site - click here

 

[Dan Morton]

Another option is to search and download all of Gary Dombroski's excellent step by step to sculpting and follow it. Almost everything you'll need to know is covered. Please remember your own personal safety when handling 2 part putties of any kind. Wear thin nitrile gloves (you can buy them at Wal-Mart) and mix the putties in a well-ventilated area. Wash your hands after mixing putties. As long as you don't touch the putty with your bare hands during sculpting, you can dispense with the gloves after mixing.

I use mostly natural or grey Magicsculpt which can be purchased from Michael Roberts [miniatures] online or from The Compleat Sculptor. I would buy just a pound to start. Google searches will quickly pull up both locations. It's the easiest putty to work with by far. You'll also need some armature wire. I use discarded welding wire or wire from the local Hobby Lobby jewelry section or from Dick Blick art stores. You'll need some X-acto or similar sharp knives, some paint brushes, some hand lotion (to smooth the putty), some wire cutters, a good millimeter ruler and a place to work.

Many people will be glad to help you get started, Bang! You're among friends on this site. Good luck!

All the best,
Dan

 

[dbang1988]

Thanks a lot for both of you. I am thinking of sculpting some 1/35 and 120mm ancient Chinese figures (Qing Dynasty) and some 1/48 aircrew and pilot as well. It sounds easy but I know it is hard. Before you sculpt your model, do you need to have a nice drawing on that model first or jsut reference the photos?

Thank you

 

[Roy]

Hi Bang....it's great that you are going to have a try at sculpting...before you start, it would be a great help to have pictures (drawings or photographs) of figures/people in the pose you are attempting to sculpt.
This will help you with the anatomy and also in achieving a natural and believable look.
Solid reference to the clothing is also a great help to your endeavours.
There are many sculptors here on the planet, and checking out their vbench's will reveal some fabulous step-by-steps, and help you understand the whole process from the armature to the finished piece.

All the best...Roy.

 

[dbang1988]

hi, I have heard that when you sculpting, you need to bake your model i nthe oven, is that right? If for beginner, what type of oven should I use?

 

[Roy]

Bang...if you are using 'Super Sculpey', 'Super Sculpey Firm Grey' or 'Sculpey III'...then yes, you will need to use an oven, most people use a small cheap oven just for curing polymer clays so there are no bad odours in your kitchen oven where food is prepared.

Magic Sculp or Apoxie Sculp, in fact all 2 part epoxie putties can be cured under the heat of a desk lamp, no need for an oven with these, so maybe they will be more convenient to start off with.

*NOTE* You don't have to use a lamp...2 part epoxy putty will cure after a few hours without any heat at all...the heat from the desk lamp is just used to reduce the cure time to just a few minutes.

Try whatever you can and you'll soon find what you prefer.

All the best...Roy.

 

[dbang1988]

Actually, it seems scaling is the biggest problem. IT is really hard to manage the balance in all parts of the figure to one scale. SOmetime you may make the head a bit bigger than the normal size. SO what is the method to avoid those mistakes?

 

[Roy]

Hi Bang....take a look at this link Great anatomical guide book where you will find some great reference for keeping the size of your figure consistent with the head.
You can print out the diagrams to whatever scale you are working in, and use them as a constant guide on your desk.
To see this method put to great use, take a look at Quang's thread right here

All the best...Roy.

 

[minimaker]

Another thing that can help is too keep figures in the same scale around as reference. These and the scale diagrams should be used to check measurements (can be done using a compass) while you're sculpting.

And the Loomis book is great! The one on heads and hands is also quite usefull. By the way, for the hulk fans around. Some of the illustrations on the cover appeared in the movie. Probably a dedication (right word?) to Loomis since he influenced many comic artists.

Bye, Ming-Hua

 

[Roc]

My friend, you have found the right place, the Plalet is home to some of the greatest sculptors in the world.
Continue to ask questions and have fun.

Cheers
Roc

 

[dbang1988]

So now Iam wondering how producers transfer the finished sculptur into the resin. SInce the sculptur is in one piece, but most time, when we buy the resin figure, their hand, legs and bodies are separated. Would that be possible that they cut the original sculptur into pieces then make the mold out of them? But if cut them out would that be possible the pieces will not match up precisely afterward?

Expecting explanation. Thanks

 

[dbang1988]

Oh yeah, one more thing I want to make sure, if I use the oven to bake my sculptur, can I use the baking oven for my bread? Or should I have a separated oven only use for sculpting? By the way, I am wondering if the microwave can really displace the oven to bake the sculptur? would there be any difference?

 

[Roy]

So now Iam wondering how producers transfer the finished sculptur into the resin. SInce the sculptur is in one piece, but most time, when we buy the resin figure, their hand, legs and bodies are separated. Would that be possible that they cut the original sculptur into pieces then make the mold out of them? But if cut them out would that be possible the pieces will not match up precisely afterward?

Expecting explanation. Thanks

Hi Bang...sorry for the delay in replying..just been real busy..
There are different ways to divide a figure for different sculptors, it will largely depend on their experience and the medium they are working with. Dividing the figure is usually planned for well in advance and they are made to fit together with some precision, rather than be cut apart and then having to be re-worked. There are always exceptions of course.

Oh yeah, one more thing I want to make sure, if I use the oven to bake my sculptur, can I use the baking oven for my bread? Or should I have a separated oven only use for sculpting? By the way, I am wondering if the microwave can really displace the oven to bake the sculptur? would there be any difference?

I wouldn't use the Microwave to bake your sculpts...as the microwaves might get a little crazy passing over angular surfaces..especially if they include a wire armature...(although it might make for an attractive display....) best play it safe on that one.
Most sculptors who use polymer clay would tend to have a seperate oven to bake it in, polymer clay don't smell too good, especially if it's over-cooked. If you are using 2-part epoxy putties, you'll only need a desk lamp to cure your work.

Hope that helps a little...Roy.

 

[quang]

if I use the oven to bake my sculptur, can I use the baking oven for my bread?

If you are using 2-part epoxy putties, you'll only need a desk lamp to cure your work.

While you cannot bake your bread with it, you can use the lamp to get a nice, natural tan providing your sculpting project takes long enough.

 

[dbang1988]

Thanks Roy and Quang.

So it means when people try to separate parts from the sculptur, they will cut it out after finish the sculpting for the whole thing, or they will sculpting every single part then after baking them, he will put them togehter? Thanks

 

[Roy]

While you cannot bake your bread with it, you can use the lamp to get a nice, natural tan providing your sculpting project takes long enough.

Hey Quang...I'm having a 'Close encounters' moment here...my heat lamp is on my left...I must remember to alternate, for that 'all over' look..

Bang...usually, any cutting that needs to be done is carried out at a very early, basic stage. All pieces are made seperately for the mold-making process...

Roy.

 

[quang]

Hey Quang...I'm having a 'Close encounters' moment here...

Roy,

You mean you're using mashed potatoes as a new sculpting medium?

Q.

 

[Roy]

Roy,

You mean you're using mashed potatoes as a new sculpting medium?

Q.

Jesus Quang..I just fell off my chair here...you crack me up..!!

Roy.

 

[quang]

Everything's fine, Roy.

As long as you don't keep hearing an eerie, repetitive 5-note melody.

Q.