Little help for an aspiring sculptor?

Hi.
Recently I had the wish to start trying to sculpt animal figures, I read a lot about materials and procedures but I really love the works of many members of this forum and I would like to have advice from you.
You who are already familiar with that, can you advise me the best materials, the process (especially this point xD), the proper tools, etc.?
Very thanks!  

Hi, Mirko !
Long time no see, - wellcome back  

Unfortunately I am not able to help you AT ALL  

But I would love to see what somebody can tell you  

SUSANNE wrote:

Hi, Mirko !
Long time no see, - wellcome back  

Unfortunately I am not able to help you AT ALL  

But I would love to see what somebody can tell you  

Hi, Susanne! I was absent for a long time but I've never left the forum. :)
I hope to sculpt something good, I'm already preparing the sketches!

WELCOME BACK!!!  Anyways, I am a sort of aspiring sculptor myself, so I can't help but am interested in what might be said here. Good luck!

I am also just starting sculpting - I made a manatee recently and I used "Creative Paperclay." I don't know if it's available in your country, but it worked well for me. You just have to make sure you add enough water to smooth it down unless it cracks when it dries. This is a self-hardening clay.

I have done other sculpting before (not animals) and used polymer clay, a type you bake in the oven. It does not harden until it is baked. I've seen photos of amazing animals made with polymer so it's another great option.

For tools, I use ordinary leatherworking tools, a toothpick, a rolling pin, knitting needles, and the most important - my hands. :) Whatever tool works for you is fine - you don't really need fancy sculpting tools.

I make my armatures with tin foil and wire.

Another popular clay is epoxy, a 2-part clay, which I have yet to use myself. This is a common choice for model horse customizers.

Perhaps the most popular clay is Super Sculpey. I haven't used this yet either, but if my memory serves, I read some great sculpters on this forum use it.  


As for painting, I always use acrylics and pastels for customs. My manatee I did the same. Make sure you spray your figure after each coat of pastels so the color doesn't rub off.

And so my "short" reply came out a little longer than expected, and it probably won't help anyone at all whatsoever anyway, but oh well, at least I have some type of response!  



I'm curious to hear what others have to contribute. :)

Schleich_Figures_4U wrote:

I am also just starting sculpting - I made a manatee recently and I used "Creative Paperclay." I don't know if it's available in your country, but it worked well for me. You just have to make sure you add enough water to smooth it down unless it cracks when it dries. This is a self-hardening clay.

I have done other sculpting before (not animals) and used polymer clay, a type you bake in the oven. It does not harden until it is baked. I've seen photos of amazing animals made with polymer so it's another great option.

For tools, I use ordinary leatherworking tools, a toothpick, a rolling pin, knitting needles, and the most important - my hands. :) Whatever tool works for you is fine - you don't really need fancy sculpting tools.

I make my armatures with tin foil and wire.

Another popular clay is epoxy, a 2-part clay, which I have yet to use myself. This is a common choice for model horse customizers.

Perhaps the most popular clay is Super Sculpey. I haven't used this yet either, but if my memory serves, I read some great sculpters on this forum use it.  


As for painting, I always use acrylics and pastels for customs. My manatee I did the same. Make sure you spray your figure after each coat of pastels so the color doesn't rub off.

And so my "short" reply came out a little longer than expected, and it probably won't help anyone at all whatsoever anyway, but oh well, at least I have some type of response!  



I'm curious to hear what others have to contribute. :)

Thank you for your reply!
I think I'll try Super Sculpey, especially I like not having to have problems of time since the material doesn't dry.
I worried a bit for the "skeleton" of paper and iron wire... will it burn when I cook it in the oven?

Welcome back  

SommoDracorex wrote:

Thank you for your reply!
I think I'll try Super Sculpey, especially I like not having to have problems of time since the material doesn't dry.
I worried a bit for the "skeleton" of paper and iron wire... will it burn when I cook it in the oven?

Hello Mirko,
supersculpey is a good choice. Read the instructions carefully and you'll have no problems with the oven. Use iron wire and aluminium foil for skeleton and you'll have no problems. I have seen in some of your pictures that you're a good sketcher. A good tip is to make lots of drawings of the animal you'd like to sculpt. It's also important to learn about his internal morphologi, specially skeleton an, specially again the skull.

You can use tools like those (it's just an example, but another less professional also will work.

If you need anything else just ask :)

Quote :

Thank you for your reply!
I think I'll try Super Sculpey, especially I like not having to have problems of time since the material doesn't dry.
I worried a bit for the "skeleton" of paper and iron wire... will it burn when I cook it in the oven?

I believe that's a good choice if you want a great material - if you're willing to pay a little more. I found a 1 1/2 (I think) pound block of it at my local hobby store for a great discount, so good luck with the same!   

I hope to see some of your figures when they are made. :)