Sculpting SBS Part One

[carl reid]

Hi Guys,

Here's part One of an SBS I promised, running in conjunction with Stu's SBS.

I start out with a small wire hook, then add a ball of Milliput/ Magic-Sculpt or similar onto the hook.
Then I super glue a thin layer of Sculpey. This is added in order to add more Sculpey for the sculpting to begin.

The next stage I make a basic head shape to scale of the piece. In this case it will be a 1:9th scale half figure. I then divide the head by marking it lightly where the eyebrows are positioned and the centre line for the position of the nose.

Then I make 2 small indentations for the eye balls. These are small ball bearings, I sometimes add to this at a later point. By adding the ball bearings this gives me a basic face structure.

The next stage I add more Sculpey to the eyebrow area, the cheeks, the central line where the nose will be and finally add bulk to the mouth area.

The next stage I add the nose, by adding a small cone shape and blending it into the rest of the face. Creating a slight cone shape to the face. I then make a small mark where the mouth will be situated.
Making sure the sides of the mouth are in line with the pupils.

Once all of this is done, I then begin to start pushing the Sculpey into shape, forming the temples, cheeks, chin, jaw line etc. By this the face should start to take shape. This is now the point where I decide what facial expressions I want in the face. This part is almost impossible to explain, because I basically push the Sculpey around creating different looks until I'm reasonably happy.

Now I begin to refine the features, adding eyelids, lips, possibly teeth and tongue if required, creases and wrinkles, facial hair etc. Once I'm happy with the face and its features I begin to smooth the surface sparingly with lighter fluid and a clean small brush. I often go back and alter the features at this point, and repeat the process again.
Once I'm happy I then cure the head gently on my hot plate.

I hope this sheds a little light on my process. Other sculptors do it very differently and get fantastic results. I guess it's just what your happy with and the end results.

Cheers

Carl

 

[BarrieHynd]

Been looking forward to this Carl, hope your prepared for a mountain of questions lol.
First one being, I start out with a small wire hook, then add a ball of Milliput/ Magic-Sculpt or similar onto the hook.
Then I super glue a thin layer of Sculpey. This is added in order to add more Sculpey for the sculpting to begin.

If I only have magic sculp available the sculpt can still be done with that? I don't have to go and try and find Sculpey now do I?

Barrie.

 

[baronband]

Hi,
this is going to be so handy to a guy like me (a guy in terror of sculpting)

John

 

[carl reid]

Been looking forward to this Carl, hope your prepared for a mountain of questions lol.
First one being, I start out with a small wire hook, then add a ball of Milliput/ Magic-Sculpt or similar onto the hook.
Then I super glue a thin layer of Sculpey. This is added in order to add more Sculpey for the sculpting to begin.

If I only have magic sculp available the sculpt can still be done with that? I don't have to go and try and find Sculpey now do I?

Barrie.

No you can adapt a similar process using Magi-sculpt, you just need to be aware of the working time and adapt the process to suit the material. But the fundamentals are the same.

Carl

 

[BarrieHynd]

Thanks for that, just wanted to check.

 

[garyhiggins]

Hi Carl, just wanted to sign in to make sure this comes up on my alerts. There's nothing so useful as seeing how someone else works.
Best wishes, Gary.

 

[carl reid]

Hi Carl, just wanted to sign in to make sure this comes up on my alerts. There's nothing so useful as seeing how someone else works.
Best wishes, Gary.

No worries Gary.

Carl

 

[pmfs]

Hi Carl!

Is great to see masters doing SBS. Thanks for that!
I wish if possible see in future something like that but in video.

Cheers,
Pedro.

 

[arj]

Carl,
Many thanks for your sbs.
I've got it printed out and waiting on my workbench for my next attempt at a head sculpt.
I find your method of starting-off the ear (in photo No. 4) perfect in its simplicity.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Rich Sculpts]

Hi Carl, its great to see how other sculptors approach their work, I will be following this SBS with great interest. By the way what type of Sculpey do you use, it seems very dark in the photos, is it a mix?

-Rich

 

[BarrieHynd]

Carl, with this being part 1 of the SBS are the following parts going to be included in this thread or another one? Also, do we (those of us attempting this) post our WIP's here? Not that I have anything to post yet lol. Almost forgot, where do you get the ballbearings and what size? Do you use them for all scales?

Barrie.

 

[carl reid]

Hi Carl, its great to see how other sculptors approach their work, I will be following this SBS with great interest. By the way what type of Sculpey do you use, it seems very dark in the photos, is it a mix?

-Rich

Hi Rich,
Thanks for taking an interest.
Yes it's a mix. I use the normal pink with black mixed in.
My only reason for the mix is a visual thing. I found it very difficult to see the pink on its own. So i just mixed a bit of black or the firm grey.

Carl

 

[carl reid]

Carl, with this being part 1 of the SBS are the following parts going to be included in this thread or another one? Also, do we (those of us attempting this) post our WIP's here? Not that I have anything to post yet lol. Almost forgot, where do you get the ballbearings and what size? Do you use them for all scales?

Barrie.

Hi Barrie,
I'm not quite sure yet, whether to do a seperate post, as this piece progresses. Or just attach it to this one. My only problem is sometimes posts can get too big to view comfortably.
I think it would be ok to post your own WIP images on here.

Carl

 

[kidsbday7]

Following. I am grateful and appreciative.

 

[BarrieHynd]

Well, here goes with the first attempt from last night. I know the whole thing needs a lot of improvement but now I have Carls sbs to follow I have a better idea of what to do now. Trying for 120mm.


Barrie

 

[carl reid]

Well, here goes with the first attempt from last night. I know the whole thing needs a lot of improvement but now I have Carls sbs to follow I have a better idea of what to do now. Trying for 120mm.
View attachment 181400

Barrie

Thats a good start mate.

What material is it Barrie?

It looks like Magic-Sculpt?
Take extra care over the overall head shape. For example, if you were to draw an outline of a head, that is the starting shape you're looking for.

The head ratio i work to is 7.5 × the overall height of the figure. I then divide the by 7 × 4 this is the position of the eyebrows. The eye width is 3 eyes.

Carl

 

[Chris Mortimer]

Thank you for this. I'm always looking at how to improve my ability and what a way to do it with the visiual assistance of a master. Thanks again.

 

[Chris Mortimer]

Well, here goes with the first attempt from last night. I know the whole thing needs a lot of improvement but now I have Carls sbs to follow I have a better idea of what to do now. Trying for 120mm.
View attachment 181400

Barrie

good start mate, keep it up.

 

[BarrieHynd]

Thats a good start mate.

What material is it Barrie?

It looks like Magic-Sculpt?


Take extra care over the overall head shape. For example, if you were to draw an outline of a head, that is the starting shape you're looking for.

The head ratio i work to is 7.5 × the overall height of the figure. I then divide the by 7 × 4 this is the position of the eyebrows. The eye width is 3 eyes.

Carl

Thanks for that Carl, now its explained it's starting to make sense.
Your right, it's Magic-Sculpt, prefer that to milliput.
Barrie

 

[BarrieHynd]

good start mate, keep it up.

Thanks Chris for the vote of confidence.

Barrie