Sculpting SBS Part One

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Hi Barrie,

It is a little different from self curing putties, and it will take a little time to get used to. But it's useful to learn with, because it removes the working time restrictions.

I only dry when I feel the head is complete. To smooth I just lick or slightly moisten the tool and gently blend the surface. For the final smoothing I sparingly paint the surface with lighter fluid.

Carl
 
Hi Barrie,

It is a little different from self curing putties, and it will take a little time to get used to. But it's useful to learn with, because it removes the working time restrictions.

I only dry when I feel the head is complete. To smooth I just lick or slightly moisten the tool and gently blend the surface. For the final smoothing I sparingly paint the surface with lighter fluid.

Carl

Thanks Carl, I do prefer the sculpey because of the curing time. Found myself rushing things before with the magic-sculpt. I must be a bit heavy handed when it comes down to the smoothing lol.

Barrie.
 
Hi Barrie, when you are working on a face, it's useful to feel your own face. The structure, where the jawline comes ete. and to look in the mirror. This helps you to understand how a face works. As for material, there is no need to rush, for either two part putty or oven bake clay, you can do some, allow to cure or bake it, then do some more.
Best wishes, Gary.
 
I’ve been practicing with a couple more heads since my last entry in this post. I’ve tried to use the ‘planes of the face’ as suggested, but found that I wasn’t able to come to grips with the approach for the moment (no doubt I’ll try again later). I went back to my original method using a head view with a larger diagram showing the various muscles in the face:-

Head.jpg

I like Carl’s approach in getting the head generally shaped (I constantly check it against my scale drawings) and then working from there, adding or removing as necessary.
This was my attempt no 4:-


Head 04.jpg

What I’m trying to achieve is a series of heads which I can look at and try to see what generally looks OK and what is commonly wrong. I’ve solved the ears problem by getting my wife to photograph mine, and I now have a suitably cropped combined photo on my bench. I found it quite easy to follow when working on head No 5. Unfortunately, I was so pleased to get a reasonable result, I baked it without noticing that I hadn’t finished the nose. Hence the Magic Sculp nostrils:-

Head 05.jpg


The first thing that’s obvious to me now is that I’ve yet to come to grips with the eyes. Also, my last attempt has very uneven eye areas.
Any other comments and pointers will be most appreciated.

Cheers,
Andrew
 
I’ve been practicing with a couple more heads since my last entry in this post. I’ve tried to use the ‘planes of the face’ as suggested, but found that I wasn’t able to come to grips with the approach for the moment (no doubt I’ll try again later). I went back to my original method using a head view with a larger diagram showing the various muscles in the face:-

View attachment 182733

I like Carl’s approach in getting the head generally shaped (I constantly check it against my scale drawings) and then working from there, adding or removing as necessary.
This was my attempt no 4:-


View attachment 182734

What I’m trying to achieve is a series of heads which I can look at and try to see what generally looks OK and what is commonly wrong. I’ve solved the ears problem by getting my wife to photograph mine, and I now have a suitably cropped combined photo on my bench. I found it quite easy to follow when working on head No 5. Unfortunately, I was so pleased to get a reasonable result, I baked it without noticing that I hadn’t finished the nose. Hence the Magic Sculp nostrils:-

View attachment 182735


The first thing that’s obvious to me now is that I’ve yet to come to grips with the eyes. Also, my last attempt has very uneven eye areas.
Any other comments and pointers will be most appreciated.

Cheers,
Andrew

You're definitely on the right track.
The thing I noticed is the face looks a little flat. If you think of the face as a shallow cone shape, you should a difference. Also if you add some material to the brow and forehead. This also will emphasise the flat plain of the face. But it should you more aware of the contours of the face.
But you are definitely going in the right direction.
Keep up the good work mate, you'll get there.

Carl
 
I’ve been practicing with a couple more heads since my last entry in this post. I’ve tried to use the ‘planes of the face’ as suggested, but found that I wasn’t able to come to grips with the approach for the moment (no doubt I’ll try again later). I went back to my original method using a head view with a larger diagram showing the various muscles in the face:-

View attachment 182733

I like Carl’s approach in getting the head generally shaped (I constantly check it against my scale drawings) and then working from there, adding or removing as necessary.
This was my attempt no 4:-


View attachment 182734

What I’m trying to achieve is a series of heads which I can look at and try to see what generally looks OK and what is commonly wrong. I’ve solved the ears problem by getting my wife to photograph mine, and I now have a suitably cropped combined photo on my bench. I found it quite easy to follow when working on head No 5. Unfortunately, I was so pleased to get a reasonable result, I baked it without noticing that I hadn’t finished the nose. Hence the Magic Sculp nostrils:-

View attachment 182735


The first thing that’s obvious to me now is that I’ve yet to come to grips with the eyes. Also, my last attempt has very uneven eye areas.
Any other comments and pointers will be most appreciated.

Cheers,
Andrew

Andrew, I like the look of your latest ones, what are you using for the eyes?

Barrie.
 
The thing I noticed is the face looks a little flat. If you think of the face as a shallow cone shape, you should a difference. Also if you add some material to the brow and forehead. This also will emphasise the flat plain of the face. But it should you more aware of the contours of the face.

Carl,
Thanks for the comments, they're much appreciated.
Andrew
 
Barrie,

Your comment is appreciated.
Your own efforts are moving along nicely also. Carl's pointers are extremely useful to both of us.
I made the effort to go through Garyjd's SBS and pulled it all together into a pdf. If you're interested, I can send you a copy.
The eyes are Magic Sculp. I mixed a small batch and rolled pinches into something approximating 3mm balls. I ended up making 23, so I suppose head No. 12 might have to be a cyclops.

Cheers,
Andrew
 
Hi Andrew, Carl's pointers are proving to be extremely useful. Without them I don't think I would've known where to start.
Thanks for the info on the eyes, appreciate that.
I would like to take you up on your offer if I may. Can never have too much material to refer to. Your last booklet has proved very useful indeed, thanks.
Do you still have my email address?

Cheers,
Barrie.
 
Andrew, thanks for that and sorry for late reply, found it very useful thanks.
Started another one, again it's 120mm and looking at it I have managed to give him cauliflower ears lol.
Not baked it yet thankfully as I will now have to have another go at the ears.
If any of you can see where else it needs going over please shout out.
WP_20150122_011.jpg WP_20150122_014.jpg WP_20150122_015.jpg

Cheers, Barrie.
 
Hi Barrie,
Firstly I have loved following this thread, thanks to all who has contributed so far. This is taking shape very nicely, keeping plugging away mate. I'm no expert and if you would like some feedback through my eyes then I can see two minor points and one might be due to the camera angle!
The left eye (right as you view the photo) looks like the lower eyelid needs lifting slightly to be more symmetrical with the right eye, looks like it's drooping a touch too far down.
The left hand side of the head and this may be a trick of the camera, looks like the volume needs trimming slightly to be more symmetrical with the opposite side. It seems to be pushing the left ear out on a funny plain!
As for the ears you could always make him into a rugby player and then the ears are spot on.;)

I hope my observations are useful as this has the making of a very good head. Love what you have achieved so far, looking forward to more(y) .

cheers
Richie
barries sculpted head.jpg
 
Richie, thanks very much for pointing this out to me. Can see it now and your right they both need sorting. Can also see a bit of the right eyebrow that needs sorting, it's got a flat spot. All feedback is good mate, without it we wouldn't be able to improve things.
Thanks again mate.

Barrie.
 
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