Modeling New Zealand birds

Having witnessed some beautiful models from very talented members of this forum I have been inspired (once again!) to have a go at making my own. So...       
I have brought some air drying modeling clay to experiment with. I did forget to buy some wire, is this needed? Is the wire essential? Would it strengthen the models?   

Well, after some thought, I would like to have a go at modeling some New Zealand native birds such as the Tui or the Bellbird or the Fantail. Any tips before I get started? 

I think that I will study pictures and do some drawings before starting so that I get the porportions just right, I hope that they turn out all right. I will use a tooth pick to add details. I have both acrylic and oil paints so which would be best to use?
This is going to be quite the challange   but I can't wait to get started    

I think you can do it! With some pictures of your model and little bit of skill it will be great model  
I don´t know with the colours, I use acrylic, but maybe the oil paints aren´t bad too 

Hmmmm    I have a feeling that it doesn't really matter whether I use acrylic or oil  What I am finding the most difficult part at the moment is drawing different angles of my subject from one picture. It is really tricky   I found a fantastic picture of a fantail which I copied but I only have a side view. Its is hard trying to draw the underside and the front views. I will keep trying untill I have good acurate detailed drawings from all angles.      

Very nice bird this fantail! I want see your work  I have to admit, I never drew pictures  I worked only with pictures from google

Okay, hang on, I will post pictures soon when I have finished them at each angle

Sounds good! I haven't made that much models like from the start to end so I can't help.. = D
I wanna see your birds when they're ready to be shown

The wire is a very good idea to use to give support and also to provide a 'skeleton' to build around. I would recommend starting with the simplest shapes... Eg a bird with folded wings is much easier than outstretched wings. Also you are doing the right thing by spending time studying your subject in detail before starting. I don't usually draw the subjects before sculpting. Sometimes just a very rough sketch to write measurements on is all, but other sculptors will do detailed drawings. Never tried oils but don't want to as acrylics work well for me. Also, don't be afraid to have a few failures! Air drying clay can be tricky as it dries within a few hours, so you can't leave a model overnight and come back to it. I only did two models with air dry clay before switching to a polymer clay as it was better in so many ways. Hope that helps - good luck :)

I'm excited to see this project!

Polymer clay Okay I will look out for it!  Thankyou Minizoo Those are some very helpfull tips. I am modeling a fantail perched on a branch with its wings folded

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I also have pictures from my two bird books to copy from.   I really hope that it works. The reason that I am sketching first is because
A. I enjoy it and...
B. I get the opportunity to study each and every detail so that I can get it right in the modeling

E X C I T I N G!

Here are my drawings! I realised when I started modeling that I should have done a lot more drawings so that I knew how to shape the front of the head, his head looks a bit squashed from the front. I really should have waited till I could get some wire as his bottom sank down onto the branch so he looks like he is sitting instead of perched
                                                               
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Drawing the underside was the hardest and I don't think that I quite got it right. Excuse the blue finger smudge in the middle, I had forgotten that I had just done an oil painting and had dried paint all over my fingers

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Here he is, I am nearly finished painting him I had to keep wetting the clay with water to keep it from cracking and drying up till I'd finished

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The porportions of the back aren't quite right I don't think, if you compare it with the drawings and photo's, his back is too rounded down instead of curved over

It is really beautiful first model  I hope you will make many others

ulinuk wrote:

It is really beautiful first model  I hope you will make many others

Yes I will! I plan on making a whole flock of New Zealand birds

Schleichgirl wrote:

ulinuk wrote:

It is really beautiful first model  I hope you will make many others

Yes I will! I plan on making a whole flock of New Zealand birds

Oh! I can´t wait to see flock of New Zealand birds  And see this bird in colour

Aww so cute! And your drawings are so great! I think this is good model you made. And how beautiful is she? gonna be with some paint on her.

Sorry for such a long delay  
Here she is...  

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This is my very first time modeling so she is not perfect, any tips would be appreciated. I did not use wire which made it allot harder, I will use wire next time

I am not quite finished the painting either, some bits still need to be filled in

Aww so cute! Great job Emma! If this is your first homemade model you're such a talent

It is really good  Hope you will make some other birds

It's beautiful, congrats!

What type of clay did you use?

I used air drying modeling clay called JOVI. Oddly enough I noticed that once it is dry, by wetting it with water, it can be used again. So I am not sure how to permanently dry it?

Emma, if you can already do it, you only have to keep sculpting and painting! It is beautiful and I really enjoy seeing a young artist starting on STS and making birds of local fauna. New Zealand have such wonderful birds!!!
About clay I don't understand anything of it but maybe this link may help you.

Thank you! That is helpful There is also this other brand called Fimo which I brought for my brothers birthday some years ago. He couldn't use it because it was way too hard and couldn't be molded at all because it just fell to pieces I now know that it needs to be conditioned. Does any one know whether this is better then Jovi? I have heard it reccomended somewhere.

Thanks Emma I haven't heard of Jovi but I love Fimo. Yes, you need to condition Fimo and I've found microwaving it helps too, especially if it's old clay. When polymer clay gets old it gets hard and crumbly, and hurts your fingers. You might be better off with Sculpey thought, it's quite a bit less expensive.