TeaMonster
TeaMonster
UK
Drinker of tea, maker of things.
TeaMonster
Hi Charmaye, yep you’re right, with oil based (non drying) clays you can re-use the clay. -Just pick the clay off the armature and start again or continue working on the piece and transform it into something different :) (May need to warm the clay with something like a hairdryer if it’s particularly thick and hard to remove) With a clay like Chavant nsp/Monster clay…you can in theory have a piece on the shelf and come back to it a year later and keep working on it….(cover from dust though). Polymer clays like Sculpey/Fimo are workable till they are oven baked to ‘set’, so are reusable, but unbaked they will dry out over long periods and start to crack ( like months not weeks). Dry and crumbly clay can be nursed back to health with some conditioning. Sculpey has a product for this ‘clay softener’, in a pinch I’ve had success with baby oil and lots of kneading. Air dry ‘pottery style’ clays (water based) can be reworkable if kept moist, wrapped in plastic between work sessions, however I reckon feels best fresh out the packet. Hope that helps, have fun sculpting!
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
Thank you Proko.com and all involved in running this competition!! I’m flabbergasted and super happy, I really did enter to try and win a course and I’m super excited to continue learning and improving. This project ‘fought me’ every step of the way, and now I’m glad I didn’t quit. Congratulations to all who took part, let’s do it again sometime! Ps. I finished the sculpture up and made a quick vid too…(3mins ish) https://youtu.be/txltJhII_Us
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
Hi everyone, here's hoping I squeak in on time. There's loads left to do/change but for last minute rush, I'll call it done. Almost chickened out of posting but where's the fun in that. Here to learn after all. Thanks to all at Proko for running these comps. Demon Prince- 'Silver Tongue' -Super sculpey 9.5 inches tall
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
After the deadline passed, I spent a bit more time to finish it. Now that the judging is over I can share pics…. Also here’s a short process video https://youtu.be/txltJhII_Us
Reply
TeaMonster
My first try was the same George Bridgman. I think the hips are too wide and he's a bit on the short side. I like this exercise.
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
Another Bridgman. I worked this past the hour as I was enjoying it so much.
Reply
TeaMonster
This is based on a drawing by Stephen Rogers Peck. I really like the lean of the pose and looking at it should have push that more, so his upper body is 'hanging' upon the stick more.
Reply
TeaMonster
Art by John Buscema. The armature was poorly proportioned, I though I could correct it in clay, I was wrong. This one really highlighted for me that I need to study anatomy more.
Reply
Jose Ardern
I chose a drawing from George Bridgemans Complete Guide To Drawing From Life, and made the sculpture in one sitting. It took me 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
This is fantastic, you nailed it!
Reply
Dominic Miranda
Hey all this is one of the hand/arm studies I’ve been working on over the last few days, let me know what everyone thinks! I still need practice with the details in the hands but practice does make perfect!
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
Hi Dominic, nice tension in the fingers!...reminds me of opening a jar, then one inch punching said jar when it wont open. -I'm super curious, is that a sculpting tool it's mounted on?
Reply
TeaMonster
Adding hands to an existing armature and some separate hands. The first one (red wire) was eyeballed (holding out over my hand) then the next I tried hard to follow along, last one the fingers came out short, I must have over twisted them. I must admit I found the measurements confusing so I drew myself a diagram to try and get it right.
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
TOOL TIME! I wanted to mention some of the tools and tips I use and have made over the years, maybe it's helpful....?.... Make light work of cutting that new block of Chavant clay, with a wire cutter, I was surprised how easy this was over trying blades.
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
A modelling stand, threaded half inch pipe can be tricky to find in the UK although more available online now, I went with a threaded rod bolted to this wooden block. I made this to use with this course and think it can handle up to an 18 inch figure.
Reply
TeaMonster
Home made tools over the years, old hack saw blade bent onto a paint brush handle, various loops in pens then more fancy rakes from guitar strings into brass tubing.
Reply
TeaMonster
Warming chavant.... I use a heat gun for a direct blast and was using a dedicated croc pot to melt a batch.... down side is working with lava can be tricky...I tried a chicken brooder lamp over the clay but didn't find it that great so I built a hot box....A foiled lined box would work but I wanted some permanent that I liked the look of... so I converted a bread bin and I'm really happy with it! Nice ready to work clay in about 15 mins (from cold start) so easy pop cold clay in, go make a cuppa tea then get to work :)
Reply
TeaMonster
Torso study... Not sure if this was set as an assignment but it's definitely worth a go and boy do I need the practice! So again I seem to be going in circles, I think it must be my knowledge of anatomy lacking. I restarted as I kept hitting the foil as I made it too big, then was running out of clay. This one is still in progress and I paused after a day at it to go hit the books and watch some of Stan's video to help.
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
More Gesture Studies... These assignment were to capture the gesture of a pose working from a single drawing, approx 1 hour task although I went over for sure.... This was actually the first one I did. I followed along with the tutorial, later realised we're to pick our own reference. I like this pose though. Based on a George Bridgman p29 'Bridgman's complete guide to drawing from life' (isbn 978-1-4549-2653-5) -I just got this book I love his style. From the front I think it's a bit wide at the hips, and overall maybe a bit short and stocky, also I didn't get it to balance well.
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
Based on art from p209 Stephen Rogers Peck book ' Atlas of human anatomy for Artists' (isbn 9780195030952) I chose this drawing as is shows balance and weight, I don't think I captured that well enough and should exaggerate the lean more. Seems to be a mistake I keep making, it stiffens up the more I work on it?
Reply
TeaMonster
This one was based on art by John Buscema from 'How to draw comics the marvel way' (isbn 0907610668). It's a fail, I started with one of my worst armatures, it's proportions are off but I thought I could 'fix it in post' with clay, urr nope, maybe a more skilled sculptor could work around it...the arms were short so I just used clay, obviously they fell of later haha, well I'm not too precious and these are sketches but yeh sure did highlight the value of getting the armature right, putting in the effort upfront really does save you down the line. Also I was generally disappointed with my anatomy here, which is something I'm trying to improve on the most throughout this course.
Reply
TeaMonster
Gesture Studies... These assignment were to capture the gesture of a pose working from a single drawing, approx 1 hour task although I went over for sure.... Hand based on a George Bridgman from p79 'The book of a hundred hands' (isbn 0-486-22709-x)
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
So handy ;)
Reply
TeaMonster
Hands.... Assignment was to add hands to our existing armature or make a hand study. The red wire isn't me trying to be fancy, it's just what I had to hand that was thinner. I admit I mostly winged this one and eyeballed it not measured. The next one I tried to follow along with Andrew's tutorial and honestly I begrudge things that me me get a ruler out, haha, well I got myself all muddled with the measurements, maybe as my brain works in metric?.. Anyway I drew a diagram to help me get my head round it. My wire has an extra band in palm, just from the way I started the wire, so not 100% accurate to the demo...whoops.A
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
On the second attempt (on right) I super tried to follow along and thought I was doing fine till I stepped back and looked at it, to see short fingers...DOH! I'm sure if I'm mindful of this when going to clay the armature is still useable.
Reply
TeaMonster
This maybe 'cheating' but I made a hand armature following a method by Andrew Sinclair from his book 'The Art Of Earth And Fire' (isbn 978-1-7862959-1-0). At first glance it seems super complicated but actually the step by step was easy to follow and pretty quick. The downside maybe I'm not memorizing proportions but he has some great tips too, and this means all I have to is print the diagram at the correct scale and we're in business. I'm eager to learn but may be not be the easiest student to teach ;)
Reply
TeaMonster
This was attaching hands to a previously made armature...
Reply
TeaMonster
Hi Aristotle, I guess for now we can't beat taking your own reference photo's... I think Proko instructor @Andrew Joseph Keith has an ebook or was working on something that might cover this? One thing missing from most ref packs is an above and below angle so we can judge depths. Agreed online searches can be tricky from different cameras focus distortions and different lighting. Maybe one day dreamy day with can have a super sculptor international convention and have a booth set up that all willing sculptors get photos done then release it as an amazingly snazzy book....then we can sculpt the sculptors....hmmm hey internet someone go kickstart this pleeez One reasonable practice hack I've tried is buying a second hand 'hot toys' head. These are from highly detailed 12 inch figures and the portraits are great, this way you can study it all angles and super portable :)
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
Hi Philip, congrats on your first attempt, getting stuck in, with hands on clay time is the way to progress and have fun too -I love sculpting :) The head has a reputation for being the hardest thing to tackle, but it's a worthwhile pursuit. To my eye this head looks a bit narrow, it could use a bit more bulk at the back/sides of the cranium, this will help bring those ears out, which should be visible looking a front view. How are you getting on, have you made another? If you have enough clay I would suggest starting a new head sculpt, then you can compare the 2nd side by side to the first and see how much you've improved. I'm rusty with water based clay but a little tip would be not to fight the clay, it has a pace, soft and quick for the initial build up then as it dries a bit the finer detailing can come in. If it's the air dry style packets (such as DAS brand) they have a shorter working time and in my opinion feel quite different to say a bag of pottery (modelling clay), I also think they're more prone to cracking. Keep going and try all the clay types over time.... they all have the own quirks, you'll find one you like.
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
Zoungy Kligge
"Demonic Prince and the Birthday Surprise" What do you give to the Demonic Prince who already has everything? Haunted castles, torture chambers, dark magic? It's Demonic Prince's birthday! And all his ghastly pals have chipped in to get him a surprise gift. But will he like it? "Quickly, in here!" says Swamp Gator. They find a secret place to wrap the gift. Rabid Dog Monster Guy wraps the present very neatly. Swamp Gator cuts the ribbon with his teeth. And Wood Monster hides the present in his mouth, which is really just a hole in a tree, until the right moment. Suddenly, Demonic Prince emerges from a fiery lava pit, as he often does. Then 1-2-3! Wood Monster spits out the gift! SURPRISE! they all yell. Demonic Prince doesn't know what to say. He'd cry, but he can't really. He loves the surprise gift... a Tshirt with his name on it. He even cracks a smile! And best of all it fits. But even if it hadn't, the real gift is the gift of friendship. The horrifically evil buddies share some vanilla cake with white frosting, and then go back to haunting, chasing, and generally harassing the world. But this is an afternoon they will not soon forget! The end.
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
Great take on it, made me chuckle! Also genuinely thought for a sec these were photos of arranged toys from thumbnails, great rendering!
Reply
TeaMonster
Aaaaarghmatures! Armature = structural support for the clay. They come in many shapes and sizes, no one size fits all, and many artists have their preferred method. Personally as my projects were never the same size or subject matter I just made up the armature on the spot. Trial and error over the years and hitting the wire, having to modify etc just seemed the norm to me. So I welcome a considered tried and tested method, Andrew has provided a good technique and I finally got the hang of it I think...
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
Modifying the armatures, here I added wings using aluminum mesh, one wing I sewed on and hit the thread with a couple of drops of super glue to secure, the other side I used aluminum tape, which was faster and easier. I try and use heat resistant materials for all the armature, although using oil based clay these wont get baked we do use heat tools to soften the clay, so for example I wouldn't use hot glue as we may remelt it later on ;)
Reply
TeaMonster
The cheap sculpture challenge got me thinking about cheap clay... I recall many moons ago in school we used a 'dough' clay, a salt dough recipe using flour to make an air dry clay....I looked up a recipe on the interwebs and had a crack at it... Well maybe I got the mix wrong even though I tried a few times, my dough was very sloppy even after trying various mixes, it slumps under it's own weight, and even went manky after a few days. Think I'll stick to shop bought for now but it's good to know you can grab food cupboard items and make something to muck about with :) (if anyone has a secret formula that works do let me know, thanks)
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
In between classes I'll do some studies to keep sharp, this a quick foot in the cheap plasticine. Adding a bit of cornflour and mixing it in helps reduce the stickyness, but I really don't like the feel or colour and will probably use other clays for the remainder of this course.
Reply
TeaMonster
Also whilst exploring materials, we bought a soap bar for a change and I immediately nabbed a bit to try carving some. (Yes soap carving is a thing, many talented folks out there) I haven't carved anything before really as most of my modelling materials are additive like clay. Sticking with cheap I just used a paper clip for the carving. I see carving in a different category but wanted to have a quick go.
Reply
Dominic Miranda
The tips in this video are inspiring and I just ran with it haha thanks for all the helpful information I’m having a blast adding modifications to the armatures, I hope we get the chance to see more in-depth armatures for some of the weapons and props. I made a few armatures today with wings and capes, hope everyone likes and has as much fun with this assignment as I did!
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
These are great, they look solid too (strong)!
Reply
TeaMonster
I might have got a bit carried away.... ;)
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
TeaMonster
Good feedback vid Andrew thank you. I’ll take on board the photography tips for future assignments. Well done to the winners, and all that shared their work.
Write reply...
Drop images here to attach them to the message
Help!
Browse the FAQs or our more detailed Documentation. If you still need help or to contact us for any reason, drop us a line and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
Your name
Email
Message