sculpting tehniqe
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megroot
A Fixture
Here you can find some good tutorials.
http://www.thesculptorscorner.com/index.htm
This one is also great for looking what you asked for.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/
And here are the anatomic knowledges for every sculptor
http://www.fineart.sk/index.php?s=8&cat=12
Marc
http://www.thesculptorscorner.com/index.htm
This one is also great for looking what you asked for.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/
And here are the anatomic knowledges for every sculptor
http://www.fineart.sk/index.php?s=8&cat=12
Marc
btavis
A Fixture
First of all this is a very broad subject and secondly there is no one way to sculpt or materials to use.
I suggest that you educate yourself first by reading the extensive threads here under the forum title "Sculpting." From there you can start to get an understanding of how individuals sculpt, the materials they use with references and the tools they use. If you go to Google and type in "sculpting miniatures" you will get scores of sites that offer all manner of tutorials and videos. There are several members here that have links to their blogs which give step-by-step demonstrations of how they sculpt. These are invaluable to the novices and experienced sculptors.
For figure modelers the most common sculpting material is two-part epoxy (Kneadatite or Duro, Magic Sculpt, Aves Apoxie, etc) each with their own properties for curing, sculpting, carving. There are also oven fired clays like Primo or Sculpey that many use to great effect. These are personal choices and come from experience as to which is best suited for yourself. It requires experimenting.
There are many books out there done by figure modelers on how they sculpt. Bill Horan has one, Shep Paine has one and they are very informative on materials, tools armatures, etc. There are books by traditional sculptors that also have valuable information that can be used by figure modelers. There are also books on anatomy which is essential for being able to sculpt in correct proportions.
While I understand the nature of your question the answer is so broad as to defy a simple response in one or two posts.
But there are a couple of questions you might answer to help us understand specifically how to help you. Have you ever sculpted anything before? What are you looking to sculpt now? What scales are you interested in? Do you plan to have your sculpture cast for mass production? Do you have an understanding of anatomy?
Einion
A Fixture
Super answer Bob! I think that touched all the bases.
Einion
Einion
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR ANSWER "btavis"
if you want to help read the mes if not not
good answer i reded about 5 times and i don't stop yet but i don't undestend is so hard to the "gods of the sculpture" to help a beginer
my work is in My gallery i post 2 img and my questions are
-you use a Ultra High Speed Turbine Carvers to sculpt a miniature or the dental probe ?
-i use "cernit " polimer clay is good?-for fine details is break into shivers
-for 54mm wath material is good to use
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR ANSWER
if you want to help read the mes if not not
good answer i reded about 5 times and i don't stop yet but i don't undestend is so hard to the "gods of the sculpture" to help a beginer
my work is in My gallery i post 2 img and my questions are
-you use a Ultra High Speed Turbine Carvers to sculpt a miniature or the dental probe ?
-i use "cernit " polimer clay is good?-for fine details is break into shivers
-for 54mm wath material is good to use
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR ANSWER
I'm not a "sculpting God"...more of a "scratchbuilding soldier". But I'll try...
To get you going... try this: Go out and buy some Sculpey...just original Sculpey for now...get a simple drawing book, that breaks down drawing into shapes...like a duck is an eggshape for the body, a longer snake like shape for the neck, a fan shape for the tail. Make them as best you can, then add them to each other by smoothing each part into the next....when you have what you like, then take a toothpick or some kind of pointed type stick (or sculpting tool) if you have one, and put in feather details; a shallow hole on the sides of the head for the eyes...then prop it up with ceramic cups or pieces of wood and put it in your oven and bake it at 225 degrees for 10 minutes. When it comes out, let it cool, and then add more detail on...crazy glue on small balls for the eyes, some ridges down the feet for toes etc. Then put it back in and bake it...as many times as you need to at that temperature to get what you want. You control the project. You can bake it many many times to get what you want....do not forget about it in the oven! Ten minutes, once at 225 degrees is enough...remember, each time it goes in, all parts will bake and possible get a little darker...it doesnt matter --it gets painted t the end.
Then when you are satisfied with the sculpting, then paint it. Do the next one with the shapes; maybe an elephant,,,a large egg shape for the body, another smaller one for the head, four columns for the legs...put them all together and smooth together...you might want to use toothpicks halfway in one leg for instance, then the other half in the body to help make it stay...then smooth it out where you joined them. When al smoothed out, then take your tool and put wrinkles in like an elephant has...any reference pictures are a tremendous help...print them out from your PC.... Bake it. When it comes out and is cooled, add the ears and the details like the toes and the eyes, trunk, and whatever. When you have what you like in any step towards completion,-- then bake it right away, so you don't lose it or squash it while it's soft. Keep doing it until you are satisfied with the sculpture, then paint it.
Do the next...and the next. and so on. when you get a little comfortable wih animals, then you can move on to making people. Then you can try using an armature.
But get your feet wet by making some basic things to get used to the material...start with Sculpey.
It might be helpful if you mentioned what country you are from, since something seems to be getting lost in the translation... and someone may even speak your language , which would simplify some things for you... and us.
Remember that everyone is trying to help you, even if there is some misunderstanding...and most importantly...IT TAKES YEARS. No shortcuts available...except sites like this one.
To get you going... try this: Go out and buy some Sculpey...just original Sculpey for now...get a simple drawing book, that breaks down drawing into shapes...like a duck is an eggshape for the body, a longer snake like shape for the neck, a fan shape for the tail. Make them as best you can, then add them to each other by smoothing each part into the next....when you have what you like, then take a toothpick or some kind of pointed type stick (or sculpting tool) if you have one, and put in feather details; a shallow hole on the sides of the head for the eyes...then prop it up with ceramic cups or pieces of wood and put it in your oven and bake it at 225 degrees for 10 minutes. When it comes out, let it cool, and then add more detail on...crazy glue on small balls for the eyes, some ridges down the feet for toes etc. Then put it back in and bake it...as many times as you need to at that temperature to get what you want. You control the project. You can bake it many many times to get what you want....do not forget about it in the oven! Ten minutes, once at 225 degrees is enough...remember, each time it goes in, all parts will bake and possible get a little darker...it doesnt matter --it gets painted t the end.
Then when you are satisfied with the sculpting, then paint it. Do the next one with the shapes; maybe an elephant,,,a large egg shape for the body, another smaller one for the head, four columns for the legs...put them all together and smooth together...you might want to use toothpicks halfway in one leg for instance, then the other half in the body to help make it stay...then smooth it out where you joined them. When al smoothed out, then take your tool and put wrinkles in like an elephant has...any reference pictures are a tremendous help...print them out from your PC.... Bake it. When it comes out and is cooled, add the ears and the details like the toes and the eyes, trunk, and whatever. When you have what you like in any step towards completion,-- then bake it right away, so you don't lose it or squash it while it's soft. Keep doing it until you are satisfied with the sculpture, then paint it.
Do the next...and the next. and so on. when you get a little comfortable wih animals, then you can move on to making people. Then you can try using an armature.
But get your feet wet by making some basic things to get used to the material...start with Sculpey.
It might be helpful if you mentioned what country you are from, since something seems to be getting lost in the translation... and someone may even speak your language , which would simplify some things for you... and us.
Remember that everyone is trying to help you, even if there is some misunderstanding...and most importantly...IT TAKES YEARS. No shortcuts available...except sites like this one.
I sorry for my bad language but if I don't speak I lose because in my country is underground to sculpting miniatures it don't exist that thing some fouls like my the are try to get informations about that and moust materials and tools and tehniqe is in USA
So I want to learn from the best if you help some advice and links ,videos ,I will be grateful end I tankyou for answer
So I want to learn from the best if you help some advice and links ,videos ,I will be grateful end I tankyou for answer
btavis
A Fixture
Personally I sculpt with Aves Apoxy and occasionally Kneadatite for certain things. I have never had much success with the oven fired clays like Cernit despite getting great advice from Mike Good who is in fact is a sculpting "god" and extremely talented fellow though he would be the last to admit it.
In any case, material like Aves dries hard but during the curing process it can be modeled. It can take up to two or three hours for it to cure but you can speed up the process by heating it which I do all the time in a crock pot set at low temperature. You can use various tools or your fingers to impress form into the putty just as you would with oven fired clay before curing. You can add a little water to soften the putty and to make it smooth if that is the effect you want. Some people use vaseline as epoxy putty tends to be sticky until cured. I have also used baby powder when rolling the putty into thin sheets to prevent the sticking problem. Thin sheets of clay or putty can create some very nice drapery effects that are hard to do otherwise. However, with epoxy putty, except Kneadatite, they can be brittle when cured so care must be taken in handling.
The tools I use range from dental picks, sewing needles to toothpicks. I customize the toothpicks into specific shapes to do different things. They are cheap to make. Many sculptors of miniatures use them. There are however, no rules about what tools to use and it is personal preference coupled with personal experience and what works best for you. Experiment. It is the best teacher.
You will also find through experience that there are two main methods for working with clay or putty. It is adding and subtracting. The nice thing about epoxy putties like Magic sculpt or Aves is that when they are cured they can be sanded, filed and carved. Kneadatite however really can't as it dries like vinyl so all the work must be done before it cures. For carving I have found surgeon's scalpels to be ideal and yes, i have used a Dremel tool to remove a lot of material quickly. However, epoxy dust is noxious and you do not want to breathe it so wear a mask.
Miniature sculptors also use plastic for making some parts like weapons or other accouterments like belts, straps, cases, etc. Many sculptors never use it and do everything in putty or clay. Once again a personal choice that may be influenced by whether the piece is to be cast or not.
I looked at the two pieces you have in your gallery and would say first that you need to study anatomy in detail. I think the use of an armature would be beneficial and these can be made from paperclips, flower wire or thin brass rod. Once again a personal choice but whatever you use it needs to be flexible, sturdy and not break from constant bending.
In the armature you can ensure that the proportions of the body are established so that as you progress with the piece you will not drift away from what is natural looking. Also, using a wire armature allows for the pose of the figure to be experimented with before adding clay or putty. This is a crucial stage and if it is not correct you will have problems later on. It is a good idea to have scale drawings of figures that you can use as reference. Nothing can quite ruin a sculpt more than bad proportions.
Another invaluable trick is to take photos of you work as it progresses. This provides an excellent method for finding mistakes in proportions better than looking at the real figure. I have found many mistakes or things that did not look right using this method.
Not to make this post too long I will end by saying that there is no secret to sculpting other than practice by doing. Learn the material and the tools and find what works best for yourself. Also do not rush your work. Take your time and check each step for accuracy and proportion. Set small goals for your sculpting sessions and work on small areas at a time. There is usually no need nor is it desirable to sculpt the whole thing in one sitting. Make corrections as you go along and do not be afraid to undo something that is wrong and start again.
Once again read the forum here as there are numerous sculptors showing step-by-step procedures on how they do what they do.
garyjd
PlanetFigure Supporter
Bob's postings say it all. Nothing beats giving it a try. While one is bound to have some frustrating moments these at some point subside to some degree with practice. ~Gary
I'm speechless I dont have words to thanks to Bob Tavis very good guidence
The part who like more is ""I will end by saying that there is no secret to sculpting other than practice by doing. Learn the material and the tools and find what works best for yourself. Also do not rush your work. Take your time and check each step for accuracy and proportion. Set small goals for your sculpting sessions and work on small areas at a time. There is usually no need nor is it desirable to sculpt the whole thing in one sitting. Make corrections as you go along and do not be afraid to undo something that is wrong and start again.""
that is true. I make a order for aves scylpt in 2 weeks I have.
good is gary blog http://garyminsculpt.blogspot.com/
The part who like more is ""I will end by saying that there is no secret to sculpting other than practice by doing. Learn the material and the tools and find what works best for yourself. Also do not rush your work. Take your time and check each step for accuracy and proportion. Set small goals for your sculpting sessions and work on small areas at a time. There is usually no need nor is it desirable to sculpt the whole thing in one sitting. Make corrections as you go along and do not be afraid to undo something that is wrong and start again.""
that is true. I make a order for aves scylpt in 2 weeks I have.
good is gary blog http://garyminsculpt.blogspot.com/
