How do i get into Sculpture?

[davi]

After watching the lord of the rings: two towers, extended dvd, I really want to break into sculpture.

anyone know a good way to break in.

[Beer Baron]

It's funny, I just took a break from working on my sculpture and this is the first thing I saw.

I'm pretty new to the medium myself. But what I did is buy the two DVDs offered at the Gnomon Workshop to get started. They are very helpful and are really good at explaining how to begin and what materials you'll need. From what I gathered, it's not too hard. In theory that is. Execution is something else. I can tell it takes a lot of practice to make the clay go and act like the way you want it to. But the same thing can be said for drawing as well.

From my experience, if you have a well defined plan, or sculpture goal, then the pieces fall right into place. You first make a armature map of the character you want to sculpt. Then the wire frame. After that it's a matter of roughing in the primary forms, then roughing out the other major shapes. Down the line you add the details and refine it. I'm taking a break from sculpting the eyes right now.

That's the process, I know of, in a nutshell. But I highly suggest getting those two DVDs. They offer so much information that I keep going back to them. Also, there was a sculpture forum link someone posted not too long ago that had a lot of links, demos and information. But it's been down the last few times I checked it. Maybe they are switching servers? In the end, I think the way to get into sculpture is just to do it. Buy some clay and work on a project. The thing I’m working on now is really kicking my ass but I’m learning as I go and I’ll take that into my next project. I hope this has helped…

[N D Hill]

I'm currently in a 3-demensional design class and honestly, what I've done this semester sums up all of my experience in sculpting. It's been a great experience though. Of course, like with anything, I'd recomend finding a class. In any case though, buy yourself a couple blocks of plasticine, an oily clay that never hardens, and just go nuts with it. It's great stuff for playing around with and people tell me you can make molds from it. I also think it gets a lot of use from the film special effects scene. I know that's what all the original creature models were made from in the Alien movies. It goes for about $5 a block. Play with it, Make mistakes and Learn as you go. It's like learning to draw all over again.

Also, some good medium guage wire is good to. Plasticine is great for maintaining it's shape for details but for larger forms, it's good to have some wire to support the inner structure. A lot of sculpture is the ability to caniblize materials like that. There's a lot more problem solving involved in 3-D than when imposing a 2-D image on to a plane.

Good luck.

[davi]

sounds great, i'll get some plasticine and check out those dvds. I'm afraid if i look for a sculpture, i'm going to be tought so many things that i don't want to learn, i'd rather find something that is completely what i'm interested in. No clay pots for me buddy!#!@!(&

anyways thanks again!

[Redder]

Originally posted by davi
No clay pots for me buddy!#!@!(&

We lost another one to plasticine. Damn you plasticine, damn you!

What do you want to learn from sculpture?

[captnblack]

Originally posted by davi
I'm afraid if i look for a sculpture, i'm going to be tought so many things that i don't want to learn, i'd rather find something that is completely what i'm interested in.

i think with everything you need to learn things that you necessarily dont think you are going to need or want to learn. i had to take classes in lettering where i had to use rapidograph pens to shade in letterforms. i thought it was all bs, but i realize that it taught me some patience and craftsmanship. never doubt the process and go for exactly what you think you want to learn/do. that is why people go to school to learn. if everyone had the capacity to learn on their own, there would be no need for schools and teachers.

[N D Hill]

Originally posted by Redder
We lost another one to plasticine. Damn you plasticine, damn you!

Infedel!

[davi]

hehe, i'd like to do creature design. I want really get into sculpture because... as many know i'm not the most dynamic person... i'm very stiff with my figures... i've been told that's some what how a beginner sculpture would model and once i understood actual shape and form better i could bring that to my 2d level.

I also really have always enjoyed sculpture, i worked with real clay years ago in highschool but my teacher found every way possible to break my projects and tell me that I did something wrong....

and one more reason being... no one has seen a piece of my art work that hasn't been digital for the last year...and there is a reason for that... i've basicly done nothing but digital. I really need to turn off my computer once in awhile and do something alittle more hands on. I think digital expresses the artistic side of someone to a certain point... but i have a feeling if i get sick of doing 3 hours of digital art, i'll be just fine moving to a different location/medium and continue being artistic... so... the more creative i can be in a day the better!

[Redder]

Originally posted by Exo
Infedel!

Ummm...

infidel n.

1. One who doubts or rejects a particular doctrine, system, or principle.

plasticine n.

1. A synthetic material resembling clay but remaining soft; used as a substitute for clay or wax in modeling (especially in pre-schools)

2. A clay like substitute used by sculptors who are to lazy to learn the traditional ideas of sculpting (metalwork, ceramics, installations, woodworking, and other forms).

Eat my terracotta! :)

[N D Hill]

terracotta n.

1. Something "crafty" soccer moms use when their children are at school and husbands are off at work. Also see quilting, scrapbook making and macaroni neclaces


lol :D

[bRyaN]

Originally posted by davi
After watching the lord of the rings: two towers, extended dvd, I really want to break into sculpture.

anyone know a good way to break in.

LOL...yea dude, i bought the Gift Set with the Gollum Statue and i must say, i wanna do some sculptures...

[SpazMcFlash]

I started taking an anatomy class on the weekend. The majority of learning the anatomy has been through sculpture. It has been an awesome learning experience since you learn the muscles and the human form in 3d. If you're just starting out with sculpture I'd try doing either some anatomy sculpts or bust sculpts. The best would be to sculpt from a live model. My school does that, but sadly I work full time now so I can't join in the fun on the weekdays... :(

Then once you get up to speed with the techniques of sculpting then just go crazah!

I know what you mean about the forums being flooded with 3d. I gave it up almost a year and a half ago since that's all I do at work. Now I just want to draw and sculpt. I enjoy working with my hands a million times more than plugging myself into a computer for hours on end.

Here's a link to a good sculpting site for tools and whatnot:
Complete Sculptor (http://www.completesculptor.com/)
I use Roma Plastalina clay and it's been real good to me.

Good luck!

[bRyaN]

I just remembered i have used plasticine before...and i hate that stuff...it was a nightmare to get out of my clothes and fingernails..

In the Joe Kubert School they had use super sculpy which was much more fun to use...

And that's what i think they used in lord of the rings for most of the figure and bust statues...

[geoffd]

here davi i found this link here on CA.org it should be pretty interesting for you to see and maybe give you ideas on how to start and finish. look at it here http://www.nimin.net/how_to/page_01.htm enjoy

[davi]

wow man, thanks!

[Beer Baron]

Originally posted by bRyaN
...And that's what i think they used in the of the rings for most of the figure and bust statues...

No, they actually used butter. If you pick up the past issue of Cinefx that covered Lord of the Rings, there was an in depth article explaining how the creatures and digital effects were made. Peter Jackson and Wetta had to build everything from scratch and being so far away from Hollywood they had to improvise a lot. In part of the article it states that early on materials were scarce so they used a sort of crude butter to fashion some of the maquets. It was a really good article. I suggest any fan of the films try and track it down. Cinefx also covered The Two Towers so I assume they'll cover the Return as well. You can pick up the magazine at almost any book store.

[Redder]

Originally posted by Exo
lol :D

LOL abbr.

1. laughing out loud; said by people who are to lazy to get their fat --- up and type out the words "laughing out loud", usually these people are digital concept artists who sit around the computer slothing all day long

:P

[tiktok]

I would grab something easy to work..waterbased clay is probably the best....it has all ranges of hardness...and one can get it to a finish much faster than other clays. it takes a while to get used to the mushyness. there's a good waterbased clay used a lot in the fx industry...its called 'WED' clay...it's put out by laguna clay company...call number em-217. it's not too different than other clays accept it takes to detail a bit more, and it packed full of glycerine so it doesn't dry out your hands as much.
I would start doing studies of your libs. Probably the best thing to start with is the hand....it's simple enough....then off of there...move onto the head....

think about the bone structure first off...thats the key....map out where the bones are then build out every thing you know. I'd say try doing everything out of your head as long as you possibly can...get it to a finish quite nearly....then take reference and see how close you are.

study all varieties of anatomy. sculpture is the best way to learn how to draw.

-bay

[davi]

i found a box of super sculpey, is it worth playing around with?

i'm going to give it a shot... not use of it's limits and such... i really need to get proper sculpture tools... right now i'm just looking around my room for stuff....
so far i found fingernail clipers, thumbtacs...

[bRyaN]

I personally think so...

I have a working knowledge with super scupley..and i liked it far better than that oily stuff...

[davi]

cool, do i need an armature(sp?) if i'm just playing around?

[bRyaN]

Well it really depends on what you gonna do...

The armature adds a "skeleton" to figure sculptures...it's there for helping you balance out the figure and creating a pose...

If you are gonna do small things i honestly don't think you'll need one..

[davi]

k, thanks. i'll give it a go

[bRyaN]

Sorry bro, i meant to say try doing small busts(humans..and creatures..etc..)...i have done those without the use of any armatures....

and their hella fun to do...

[davi]

ah ok, what do you suggest for throwing together a quick armature? i remember using like...foil when i was in highschool for something... would that work fine?

[geoffd]

use styrofoam davi. check out this thread on cgtalk about sculpture here (http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=84697)
he goes into a little detail about how he starts the process somewhere on page 3 i think... just create a basic structure in the styrofoam then file it down to the simple forms of what you're making then lay the clay down. good luck and post some when you're done!!

[bRyaN]

Yea i heard about the styrofoam, but never used it....

I would think using the Aluminum foil would be less work then using styrofoam...

[SpazMcFlash]

For a bust I'd suggest styrofoam like Capt.Harlock referred to.
If you're doing a figure I'd use copper or aluminum wire then put
epoxy resin around that to strengthen the structure even more.

I haven't tried the aluminum foil method for an armature.
I was taught the styrofoam method at my school so I'm used to going that route.

I haven't used super sculpey in years. I'll have to give it a go again and see how I like it.
I kinda like getting messy anyways, so I don't mind getting the roma all over my fingers.

Awesome orc link Capt! Thanks!

Davi - right now on eatpoo there is a head sculpting activity (http://www.eatpoo.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=18702)... you could give that a go as well.

[Redder]

I'm working on a project that uses styrofoam as a base and water putty for "applied mass" around the styrofoam. I never use styrofoam with terracotta because of problems with firing it in the kelm.

[davi]

great stuff guys, big help. The closest art store with decent clay products is awhile away, so won't be doing much than just fiddling now...

where do you get styrofoam from.. hardware stores?

[geoffd]

you get styrofoam from um... michael's, hobby lobby, uh walmart... frank's nursery and crafts. craft stores i guess. i was i could remember what i used in my IDT classes for sculpting.... it was blue and really cool to work with.

[geoffd]

here it is... . Blue Foam (http://www.novacraft.com/catalog/cat_image_lg/BlueFoamBlock_13.jpg) this stuff is awesome. we would use it as a base for clay and plaster and such. you can treat it like soft wood. i mean carve it, use a ban saw, other heavy machine tools. it's just like butter though. but you can smooth it out and get some really great textures to it. we also used balsa foam this (http://www.shoalhaven.net.au/~bunyanfilms/balsafoam/Drill.jpg) was made from it and this (http://www.gluetrain.de/images/tipsntricks/present/balsa1.jpg) is what it looks like unsculpted. fun stuff. cheap and really light, but you use standard wood carving tools and clay tools on it.

[BadMange]

Capt.Harlock-

Did you use "organic" clay or plastilline/sculpey (called polymer I think) with the foam and balsa?


Davi-

Check out this thread at CGTalk HERE (http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=103577&highlight=armature). The author has in-progress shots of a creature he sculpted and you can see the armature. Last quarter I took a character design class and we had to design and sculpt a character. We used pliable wire made for armatures and used tinfoil for masses, kept in place by electrical tape (Sculpey sticks to it really well).

I have a bunch of links at home from when I researched sculpting for the class, I'll post 'em here after I get back from my little Thanksgiving trip.

-Bad Mange

[davi]

ooo another good link. great stuff guys.

i'll pick me up some styrofoam and get cookin.

i actually started working with the super sculpey, omg i totally want to this stuff, i'm so insanely into it now, and i only worked with it for like an hour.

[BadMange]

It's addicting, isn't it! You'll be so into your sculpture you'll find yourself chewing on a chunk of Sculpey. Don't worry, you'll get used to the taste.

[geoffd]

oh i never put clay on the balsa, that stuff is great as it is. i'm sure you could put something on there, nothing that requires baking though cause i'm not sure what heat does to the balsa foam. on the blue foam i've used a self hardening clay and the stuff that never dries out (i forgot the name) you could probably do super sculpy on the blue foam and bake it in the oven since it doesn't need a high heat to dry, shoot even a heat gun would work.

[davi]

i added sculpture to the 3d section of this forum, so if you have past work you could show, please do

[bRyaN]

Excellent link...

The sculpture that came out of a 3d printer is pretty cool...

[PhilHolland]

Hey Davi.

I took a class that Jordu Schell offered out here in CA. I too wanted to primarily focus on maquettes. We used super sculpey for that type of work. We also used Wed Clay to make a half head mask which we then later created a latex mold of.

Check out his stuff:
http://www.schellstudio.com/sculpture.htm

It was one hell of a class. More fun then I've had in a long time. Jordu is extremely funny. He has worked in movies for years. He has quite a reputation as well.

One day Steve Wang dropped by and showed us his original sketches for the Predator suit and mask. That dude was 19 or 20 when he designed that. But, Steve's current work was just phenomenal!

I bought most of my supplies from a few local shops.

Things you you might want are:
20 gauge aluminum armature wire.
Some aluminum foil.
Super sculpey. Start of with like 4 packs.
Some smoothing liquid. Rubbing alchohol.
A good selection of sculpting tools. Spoons and forks too.
A lazy susan. Mine's is around 14 inches in diameter.
Some 10 inch w/l about an inch thick square pieces of wood.
A power drill.
Some epoxy.

So the basic way to get this all started is:
1. Take your design and study it for a second.(If you have one.)
2. Drill ground points through one of the square pieces of wood.(Like where a foot or tail would land.)
3. Build a basic skeleton of your design out of the armature wire.
4. Place the feet or ground pionts into the holes.
5. Fill the holes with epoxy. Let it dry.
6. Pad areas on the skeleton with aluminum foil. You can use other stuff, but I prefer aluminum.
7. <Sculpey time> Build the basic muscle masses and form onto the armature.
8. once you have the gerenal form down you can nitpick on the details.
9. Sculpey doesn't last forever. Photography your work, maybe think about painting it.
10. If you do paint it, give watercolor a try. It produces very realisting flesh tones on sculpey. This is something that Jordu does.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Phil

[geoffd]

excellent site here Sculptore's Corner (http://sculptorscorner.iespana.es/sculptorscorner/) really wicked cool sculpts and some amazing talent on there. check it out. good stuff and inspirational.

[AnarchyAo2]

Wow, I'm glad I've stumbled upon this thread. I just did my first sculpture a week ago in art class. It was a lifesize head of someone and I think it turned out pretty well. I was surprised by how many of my drawing techniques i could use with sculpting. So, now that I know what all do get for home-made scuplting (because i can't bake a 10 pound clay head in my oven) I think ill give it a whirl.

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on a tool set that would be used with super sculpey?