Sculpting a cloak - method options ...

[Russ]

Hey, all -

I'm getting ready to take the plunge into making a cloak-and-hood for a 1/10 bust, and I have a few questions for those with such experience:

1) I've read that a 50/50 mix of Green Stuff and Milliput putties is superior to either alone. To be clear, we're talking about thoroughly mixing up a bit of Milliput putty, mixing a separate bit of Green Stuff, and then mixing the two together. Anybody have any experience with doing that? If so, any comments?

2) The way I see it, I can go about creating the hood and cloak a couple of ways:

1. I can make a basic pattern (done), roll the putty flat, then cut to the patterns and drape on the bust. OR, ...
2. I can make up some putty and simply mush it onto the bust, moving it around and shaping it to look like I want. I think the biggest challenge with this approach would be getting the front of the hood to having the right, cut-back fit.

SO - Thoughts, anyone? Any help, references, or ideas will be appreciated!
TIA, Russ

 

[Nap]

Hi Russ

I would definately not do option 2

These might help

https://fromthewarp.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-to-sculpt-and-mold-fur-cloaks-and.html

https://www.greenstuffworld.com/creative/en/projects/13/

Have you looked on You Tube ?

Nap

 

[Banjer]

I would use option one, however, I would build it in stages. Back then front then hood. Let each part set. That way providing you have used a release agent ( e.g. petroleum jelly) you can remove any part you are not happy with. When happy clean off release agent and glue pieces together.
As the cloak probably won't carry much fine detail I would just use Milliput.

Bill

 

[NigelR]

I find the mix of Green Stuff and something else (I use Magic Sculp rather than Milliput) ideal for clothing. You get the flexibility of the Green Stuff combined with the "smoothability" of the Magic Sculp. And yes, you make up equal portions of both and then mix them together. But of course you can use either on their own as well.

I saw Bill Horan explain this at a demo, here's a video of him explaining his approach (and what to use when....):

If you are making a flowing cloak then definitely option 1 IMO. For a cloak that is tightly hugging the body without much flowing in the wind, option 2 might work.

 

[svt]

I mixed Greenstuff and Milliput before, but I’m not particularly friendly with epoxy putties, so it’s difficult for me to assess how much and which component was better. You can look at these photo - here is just a mixture of these two putties.


As for the method of application, both options are acceptable. I did both options, and I can’t say that any of them is ideal or more preferable - they are both situational. When sculpting according to patterns, it is easier to maintain the proportions and shape of the object. Look at these photos of how the caftan was cut out and sculpted, and the result.

At the same time, when sculpting without patterns, by simply applying material, you will get more freedom in modeling.

 

[dfmoss]

I have done a similar thing using Green Stuff and Apoxie Sculpt. The Apoxies Sculpt is much less stiff than Milliput and mixes easier. The result is excellent.

I don't know if Apoxie Sculpt is available outside the US. We stock it in the shop, along with Milliput and Green Stuff.

Don

 

[DaddyO]

Done a few of this sort of sculpt and as has been stated a mix of Duro and Magisculpt or Miliput is best I've found (The Duro gives it a bit of flexibility)

One other thing you might like to try that hasn't been mentioned is to sculpt the underside of the cloak ie add some Plasticine dusted with talc. to the figure and roughly shape the folds then when you lay on a rolled thin piece of your putty you'll find it drapes in a natural way. Once it's dry you can scrape away the support

For what its worth I tend to use a thin sheet for the unsupported bits and then blend this into the rest of the figure and sculpt in the usual way.

Dug out a couple of pictures -
The knight was done in sections and then blended. the flag of the Apache was a thin sheet laid on a support

Cheers
Paul

 

[svt]

One other thing you might like to try that hasn't been mentioned is to sculpt the underside of the cloak ie add some Plasticine dusted with talc. to the figure and roughly shape the folds then when you lay on a rolled thin piece of your putty you'll find it drapes in a natural way. Once it's dry you can scrape away the support

It's difficult to translate, but do you mean something like this?

 

[DaddyO]

It's difficult to translate, but do you mean something like this?
View attachment 494011 View attachment 494012 View attachment 494013

Yes that's the idea. It means you can sculpt the sort of folds you want without having to struggle with a thin piece of putty that is easily marked or damaged

Paul

 

[Ferris]

Another thing I’ve found helpful, is to wait about 1 hour after mixing before rolling the putty mix flat. And after rolling, wait 30-60 min longer to let the mix harden.
Just after mixing, it is sticky and soft. After a while (probably depending on temperature?), it becomes stronger, and also folds more naturally.
Cutting can be done with a miniature pizza-cutter-style cutting wheel.

Cheers
Adrian