SCULPTING 101, Step by step 1/16 figure

[rafaelega]

Excellent PAP Gary. I will follow it with interest!

Regards,

Rafa

 

[garyjd]

ARMATURE CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED Now I take the section of the armature for the legs and make additional marks as indicated by the highlighted sections. This breaks the legs down into smaller sections to help insure they are proportioned properly.

 

[garyjd]

A piece of 20 gauge copper wire is then cut. This will be used to form the spine and will later be attached to the torso shape roughed in earlier.

 

[garyjd]

I was going to twist the wire leaving a "rope-like" effect but I was not happy with the way it looked. I instead settled on wrapping it around the crotch area. It will be locked in place with super glue later.

 

[garyjd]

The wire was wrapped 2-3 times and the excess cut off.

 

[garyjd]

The legs portion of the armature are then bent into the desired pose. Unless you are doing a pose with extreme movement, stand in the pose yourself and note the position of the feet. There is about 3/4 of a foot length between his feet. The left foot is under the head and the right shoulder above the right. The marks on the rod do come off sometimes and are remarked as needed.

Sorry the photos are not that great on this one. The first picture is from the right side the other from the left.

 

[garyjd]

Here is the front view to compare to the photo.

 

[garyjd]

Aluminum wire that is about 22 gauge is then wrapped around the legs starting from the crotch and down each leg. This wire will give the Sculpey something to hold onto. This is then glued in place.

 

[garyjd]

This is an area that is of concern when I get to the sculpting stage for the shoes/feet. Typically I blend a piece of Sculpey into the bottom part of the rod forming the legs and work it into shape. The big problem is there is nothing anchoring the major part of the foot to the base. While working on the shoe/foot all the stress is put on the ankle and this almost always cracks for me. I have decide to add piece of copper wire for the foot that runs about 1/4" into the working base. This will give me a more stable work area.

Here is the copper wire against my proportion chart.

 

[garyjd]

This is an area that is of concern when I get to the sculpting stage for the shoes/feet. Typically I blend a piece of Sculpey into the bottom part of the rod forming the legs and work it into shape. The big problem is there is nothing anchoring the major part of the foot to the base. While working on the shoe/foot all the stress is put on the ankle and this almost always cracks for me. I have decide to add piece of copper wire for the foot that runs about 1/4" into the working base. This will give me a more stable work area.

Here is the copper wire against my proportion chart.

 

[garyjd]

I took a scrap piece of plastic strip and measured it to the length the foot would be with a boot or shoe in it. I did this to help me determine where to put the pin for the foot. I did not want to locate it so far down the foot where it would be where the toes would go.

 

[garyjd]

this shows where the pin will go for the left foot.

 

[garyjd]

The first pin inserted. Keep in mind to leave plenty of room for the arch of the foot.

 

[garyjd]

Once you've decided on the angle of the wire, a portion of the excess is wrapped around the ankle area and the rest is cut away.

 

[garyjd]

Both complete.

 

[garyjd]

Now attention is turned to the rough block i made for the torso earlier. In order for the figure to have a more realistic "period" look, this block needs to be carved down to reflect a much more slender figure.

 

[garyjd]

The first thing I do is cut a slice out of the bottom at a slightly diagonal angle.

 

[garyjd]

I then cut away material for the slope and curve of the chest and back.

 

[garyjd]

When carving away material bure sure to carve AWAY from your other fingers or hands.

 

[garyjd]

When I feel I've carved enough material away, I lay the piece on my chart and mark a line across the chest. The line does go across my piece, the angle I took the picture at was a little off.