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Sculpting SBS Part One

Discussion in 'Sculpting' started by carl reid, Jan 4, 2015.

  1. carl reid A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Recently Updated340.JPG Recently Updated341.JPG Recently Updated342.jpg

    Recently Updated340.JPG Recently Updated341.JPG Recently Updated342.jpg
    Hi Guys,

    Here's part One of an SBS I promised, running in conjunction with Stu's SBS.

    I start out with a small wire hook, then add a ball of Milliput/ Magic-Sculpt or similar onto the hook.
    Then I super glue a thin layer of Sculpey. This is added in order to add more Sculpey for the sculpting to begin.

    The next stage I make a basic head shape to scale of the piece. In this case it will be a 1:9th scale half figure. I then divide the head by marking it lightly where the eyebrows are positioned and the centre line for the position of the nose.

    Then I make 2 small indentations for the eye balls. These are small ball bearings, I sometimes add to this at a later point. By adding the ball bearings this gives me a basic face structure.

    The next stage I add more Sculpey to the eyebrow area, the cheeks, the central line where the nose will be and finally add bulk to the mouth area.

    The next stage I add the nose, by adding a small cone shape and blending it into the rest of the face. Creating a slight cone shape to the face. I then make a small mark where the mouth will be situated.
    Making sure the sides of the mouth are in line with the pupils.

    Once all of this is done, I then begin to start pushing the Sculpey into shape, forming the temples, cheeks, chin, jaw line etc. By this the face should start to take shape. This is now the point where I decide what facial expressions I want in the face. This part is almost impossible to explain, because I basically push the Sculpey around creating different looks until I'm reasonably happy.

    Now I begin to refine the features, adding eyelids, lips, possibly teeth and tongue if required, creases and wrinkles, facial hair etc. Once I'm happy with the face and its features I begin to smooth the surface sparingly with lighter fluid and a clean small brush. I often go back and alter the features at this point, and repeat the process again.
    Once I'm happy I then cure the head gently on my hot plate.

    I hope this sheds a little light on my process. Other sculptors do it very differently and get fantastic results. I guess it's just what your happy with and the end results.

    Cheers

    Carl
    Fokionas, Blind Pew, Richie and 22 others like this.
  2. BarrieHynd Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Scotland
    Been looking forward to this Carl, hope your prepared for a mountain of questions lol.
    First one being, I start out with a small wire hook, then add a ball of Milliput/ Magic-Sculpt or similar onto the hook.
    Then I super glue a thin layer of Sculpey. This is added in order to add more Sculpey for the sculpting to begin.

    If I only have magic sculp available the sculpt can still be done with that? I don't have to go and try and find Sculpey now do I?:unsure:

    Barrie.
    carl reid likes this.
  3. baronband Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Hi,
    this is going to be so handy to a guy like me (a guy in terror of sculpting)

    John
    carl reid likes this.
  4. carl reid A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    No you can adapt a similar process using Magi-sculpt, you just need to be aware of the working time and adapt the process to suit the material. But the fundamentals are the same.

    Carl
    BarrieHynd likes this.
  5. BarrieHynd Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Scotland
    Thanks for that, just wanted to check.
    carl reid likes this.
  6. garyhiggins A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Hi Carl, just wanted to sign in to make sure this comes up on my alerts. There's nothing so useful as seeing how someone else works(y).
    Best wishes, Gary.
  7. carl reid A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    No worries Gary.

    Carl
    garyhiggins likes this.
  8. pmfs A Fixture

    Country:
    Portugal
    Hi Carl!

    Is great to see masters doing SBS. Thanks for that!:joyful:(y)
    I wish if possible see in future something like that but in video. ;)

    Cheers,
    Pedro.
    carl reid likes this.
  9. arj A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Carl,
    Many thanks for your sbs.
    I've got it printed out and waiting on my workbench for my next attempt at a head sculpt.
    I find your method of starting-off the ear (in photo No. 4) perfect in its simplicity.

    Cheers,
    Andrew
    carl reid likes this.
  10. Rich Sculpts A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Hi Carl, its great to see how other sculptors approach their work, I will be following this SBS with great interest. By the way what type of Sculpey do you use, it seems very dark in the photos, is it a mix?

    -Rich
    carl reid likes this.
  11. BarrieHynd Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Scotland
    Carl, with this being part 1 of the SBS are the following parts going to be included in this thread or another one? Also, do we (those of us attempting this) post our WIP's here? Not that I have anything to post yet lol. Almost forgot, where do you get the ballbearings and what size? Do you use them for all scales?

    Barrie.
    carl reid likes this.
  12. carl reid A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Hi Rich,
    Thanks for taking an interest.
    Yes it's a mix. I use the normal pink with black mixed in.
    My only reason for the mix is a visual thing. I found it very difficult to see the pink on its own. So i just mixed a bit of black or the firm grey.

    Carl
    Rich Sculpts likes this.
  13. carl reid A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Hi Barrie,
    I'm not quite sure yet, whether to do a seperate post, as this piece progresses. Or just attach it to this one. My only problem is sometimes posts can get too big to view comfortably.
    I think it would be ok to post your own WIP images on here.

    Carl
  14. kidsbday7 Active Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Following. I am grateful and appreciative.
    carl reid likes this.
  15. BarrieHynd Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Scotland
    Well, here goes with the first attempt from last night. I know the whole thing needs a lot of improvement but now I have Carls sbs to follow I have a better idea of what to do now. Trying for 120mm.
    WP_20150105_003.jpg

    Barrie
  16. carl reid A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Thats a good start mate.

    What material is it Barrie?

    It looks like Magic-Sculpt?
    Take extra care over the overall head shape. For example, if you were to draw an outline of a head, that is the starting shape you're looking for.

    The head ratio i work to is 7.5 × the overall height of the figure. I then divide the by 7 × 4 this is the position of the eyebrows. The eye width is 3 eyes.

    Carl
    BarrieHynd and garyhiggins like this.
  17. Chris Mortimer Active Member

    Country:
    New_Zealand
    Thank you for this. I'm always looking at how to improve my ability and what a way to do it with the visiual assistance of a master. Thanks again.
  18. Chris Mortimer Active Member

    Country:
    New_Zealand
    good start mate, keep it up.
    BarrieHynd likes this.
  19. BarrieHynd Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Scotland
    Thanks for that Carl, now its explained it's starting to make sense.
    Your right, it's Magic-Sculpt, prefer that to milliput.
    Barrie
    carl reid likes this.
  20. BarrieHynd Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Scotland
    Thanks Chris for the vote of confidence.

    Barrie
    carl reid likes this.

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