Intro to Sculpting

[fieldarchy]

Hey Everyone,

So, I\'m starting to practice sculpting. I wanted to know what general advice people have re: sculpting and conversions?

I already have a sculptors tool kit that Gene Van Horne gave to me (Thanks Gene!). I\'m practicing on Reaper Armatures that were in the sculpting kit but I know I need to go out and get some wire.

Where\'s the best place to get wire? What tools to people use most?

So far I\'ve been using my colorshaper the most and my burnisher. I\'m just trying to get general shapes and forms down before I try adding detail to anything really.

Anyway, advice is welcome!

 

[freakinacage]

you seem to be setting about it in a good way. break things down into shapes and add details as you get better. practice a LOT. it\'s the best way to find out which putties you prefer for different jobs. also learn curing times as some putties are best left for a bit (gs for example). there are a few good articles on the site so read them. best way is to practice, can\'t stress that enough

as for tools, i mostly use my gw sculpting tool, a wax 5 (although rarely now), some clay shapers and a couple that i made myself (although i lost one down the side of the sofa te other day - gutted!)

an questions, pm me,
hope this helps

 

[fieldarchy]

are there any visual aids that are recommended to have? For instance I\'ve heard of reading through \"how to draw\" books as well as having an anatomy book to reference as well.

 

[Aidan K]

Ive plugged him before, but Burne Hogarths art books are a fantastic reference for artists, sculptors and even animators. Dynamic Anatomy is great, as is Dynamic Drapery for clothing/cloaks etc. Ive posted a sample page from ...Drapery here, initially for Larre but i might as well put it again. It can be found here.

Bodybuilder photos on the net can be a good source, if you can get over the \"ewwww\" factor!

 

[fieldarchy]

Thanks for the input!

 

[freakinacage]

i would echo the drapery book, bought that. not a fan of the artwork but the theory is spot on. having a medical job, i have loads of anatomy books around. the best books i have for this sort of thing are anatomy for the artist by sarah simblet (uses photos and overlays to show the underlying skeletal and muscular structures with lots of nekkid artists in different poses to show how the musculature changes - very helpful), anatomy for the artist by jeno barcsay (no photos but some good drawings and some stripped down musculature that gives you all the detail about muscle function and anatomy)

 

[usurpator]

What should a beginner sculpt for starters (or try to:duh?
I have the same kit and i\'s really great, but Ifeel odd trying 25mm bodies at once - it feels like being new at painting and trying a Harlequin!
should we try small things, large things, just shapes???
all input most welcome.
Sorry for highjacking your threat, fieldarchy, but I guess an answer to these questions might be of interest to you to.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Originally posted by usurpator
What should a beginner sculpt for starters (or try to:duh?
I\'d suggest something small and easy like a section of Fur.
Make a secton of green stuff roughly triangular in shape. Place it point down on what ever you intend to try to sculpt.
From the bottom use the GW Sculpting Tool to make a triangular indent. Move upwards alternating the indents so that you don\'t get a straight vertical line.
Like This:
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From experience here are a few tips:
Tip No 1: Use a tiny amount of Vaseline on your work surface when rolling out green stuff, it gives a very smooth surface for the putty and allows you to get a thinner roll. I\'ve kept a small section of Plasticard {Sytrene} as the equivilent of a pastry board to work on
Tip No 2: Rub a tiny amount of Vaseline on your hands; it stops the Green stuff from sticking. Also make sure that you keep the tips of your tools either wiped with Vaseline or wet. Helps to get both a smooth surface and when shaping stops tears.
Tip No 3: Use a fresh blade when you want to cut thin shapes of green stuff, it stops it tearing.
Tip No 4: Work in small amounts and single areas; also work from the inside of the model to the outside. (ie Skin to top layer of clothing) It’ll save you stress & swearing.
Tip No 5: Be prepared to do a small area and then leave it until tomorrow. (And believe me that takes some doing)
Tip 6: Get some Clay shapers from Rowney, size 0 Round, Wedge and Cup Chisel are the most versatile ones I use.
Tip 7: If needed you can use Superglue to bind an edge of Green stuff to what you are working on. Help stop it slipping at the wrong moment.
Tip 8: Be prepared to carve off what you have done, re-do and improve it.
Tip 9: Have a Swear Jar handy.

 

[usurpator]

Originally posted by Dragonsreach
Tip No 1: Use a tiny amount of Vaseline on your work

Many thanks for the tips and fur idea, Mike!
About vaseline: doesn\'t it interfere with the green stuff itself? it must get mixed \"inside\" it???

Bezst of luck for GD!!

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by fieldarchy
Where\'s the best place to get wire?

Paperclips will give you some of what you need. Not sure what to recommend for the finer wire you\'ll need for small scales as I like my armatures very stiff and most wire in fine gauges I\'ve tried isn\'t really strong enough (even some steel wire I got from a florist).

Originally posted by fieldarchy What tools to people use most?

I started with shaped/sharpened cocktail sticks coated in superglue (à la Bill Horan) along with a brush and a few needles, plus hobby knives of course. Now I mostly use steel tools (wax shapers) that I\'ve refined and repolished myself.

You can see most of my tools in this thread on pF (fifth pic down, page 2).

Einion

 

[fieldarchy]

Thanks for the info guys! I have a full sculpting set of wax shapers, color shapers, knives, etc that Gene gave to me. It was one of his spare kits he had around from when he used to sell them for classes.

I don\'t like the reaper armatures though and need to get some wire. I\'ll have to wait until after I move though to do any more fiddling with sculpting.

Here\'s my first attempt at a female form.

Be gentle! This is my first sculpt, ever!

 

[usurpator]

Pablo!!!!!!!!!!!
:beer:
not bad! I wish I could do half as well!
cheers!!!!

 

[matty1001]

Its no Kev White lady but...

...practice makes lovely ladies :beer:

 

[freakinacage]

Originally posted by Dragonsreach

Tip No 4: Work in small amounts and single areas; also work from the inside of the model to the outside. (ie Skin to top layer of clothing) It’ll save you stress & swearing.
Tip No 5: Be prepared to do a small area and then leave it until tomorrow. (And believe me that takes some doing)
Tip 8: Be prepared to carve off what you have done, re-do and improve it.

very good points there

@fieldarchy, a good start

 

[fieldarchy]

@usurpator--you just use a little vaseline, just coat your fingers and the crook of your hand in between your thumb and your index finger that you can wipe your tools across as you go.

Also, if you want to start out with simple things try rock bases. These are the two that I\'ve done

Just play around a little bit. Don\'t even worry about creating anything yet. Just have fun with the putty and try different things with your tools.

 

[Klute]

Start off by doing conversions. That way you dont have anatomy to worry about while you get used to the way the putty behaves.
As you get more confident venture onto more ambitious stuff like new heads on exsisting figures.
When you move to full figures a handy thing to have is a book on anatomy or even a printout of a front and back pic of human muscle structure.
Like these for example. Not that you would print these off course as they are copyrited to DazStudio.

 

[usurpator]

ooooh I love this idea!!!
cgotta try it on my many \"for the bin\" gw non-slotta bases!!!
thanks for sharing!!:bouncy:

 

[the Infadel]

hey guys,

i am new to posting on these forums, but i think that i have a few things to add here.

first, all of the things mentioned are good. i think that the best place to start is with conversions. i probably do conversion/sculpting work to 80% or more of my figs. you can look through my pics and see some examples.

eventually you might find that you don\'t like using armatures at all. if you worked in house as a sculptor, you would likely have your own armature cast as it would have your own feel to it. most of us don\'t have that luxury. whatever base you use is going to influence you work.

the wire that i use is from wal-mart of all places. i get it in the craft/floral area. it has 25 pieces, 18 guage, 18 inch, silver/grey finish, all for about $1. it is flexible enough to bend with your fingers and still holds its shape well. www.fibrecraft.com.

i then buy drill bits that match the size so that i can pin parts together. but i also use it as a frame for sculpted work as well.

one thing that i don\'t use is petro jelly. i can\'t stand the stuff. but there are two other options, and they are both free. the oil on your forehead and nose is the best at keeping the gs from sticking to your hands while mixing/rolling it out. just wipe your hand across you forehead and your finger tips across your nose before and during handling of the gs. i know it sounds weird. try it and then tell me you don\'t like how it works. the next thing is saliva. i lick my sculpting tools and blades constantly while working with the gs. be careful with them though. might poke your tongue or worse, cut it, ha ha.lol.
i am serious about this though. ask the guys that scuplt for a living.

the last bit and i will leave it alone for now. HEAT. it is your friend. on these hot summer days, 85+, i can sculpt something, sit it in the sun for less that 2 hours, and be able to work on it again. it has already set. some people build a heat can with an old coffee can and a lightbulb inside to make it warm to set their gs faster. i have not done this so far as all of my coffee comes in plastic bags. but it works.
and COLD. if you mix some gs and don\'t have time to finish using it all, drop it in the freezer. it will stay usable for a few days. it will set in there, but much slower. so that works great if you have to drop off the kids at the pool or grab a bite to eat.

hope that this helps your efforts some.
the last thing to keep in mind, don\'t be scared to experiment, it is only epoxy putty, and there is more where that came from.

j

 

[fieldarchy]

I\'ve heard to start with conversions before but I want to learn how to sculpt a mini from beginning to end. I already know how to use tools to fill in gaps and do simple things. I want to learn the complicated stuff. Hence, I\'m starting by just sculpting basic forms right now. I don\'t want to do anything with detail I just want to get the right male and female shape down. As I get better with that I will move on to details.

I\'ve been told the track I\'m on is a good one I just need to keep practicing.

 

[freakinacage]

Originally posted by the Infadel
the oil on your forehead and nose is the best at keeping the gs from sticking to your hands while mixing/rolling it out. just wipe your hand across you forehead and your finger tips across your nose before and during handling of the gs. i know it sounds weird. try it and then tell me you don\'t like how it works. the next thing is saliva. i lick my sculpting tools and blades constantly while working with the gs.
j

rofl this is so true. nose and forehead grease rules! you\'re screwed if you have just come out of the bath/shower though (unless you moisturise)

@fieldarchy - go to the hasslefree wip section , kev is an awesome sculptor and you can see how he build up the musculaturee and shapes sowly