You amazing sculptors

[mystique]

I am so impressed by the sculptors on The Forum... I know that your talent is innate... but how did you learn? Are there particular books that help? I am so interested in improving my abilities so that I can eventually sculpt something original.

[Mangus]

For me I researched everything about sculpting for about a year before I even started to mess with the clay. I have saved to a file all kinds of ref. another thing that has helped me is having other statues to use as ref. that is the biggest help. The only book I have besides a ton of comics is Arnie's bodybuilding book, very good anatomy ref. there.

Brian.

[mystique]

Thanks Brian... I have been saving some ref materials (mostly downloaded pics/info on building armature)... I can imagine that a bodybuilding book would be great ref material for a super hero!

[Mangus]

It is and you can get it on ebay pretty cheap. Some statues that you can get on ebay for pretty cheap( usually ) and I recommend are, Lucifer bust, Graveyard statue, Lady demon statue( They are sold as broken items, but mine only had a slight crack in the wrist, $14.95 can't beat it ) Chastity & Jade statue, and Earth X capt. America. The only one of those you might spend more than $30 on is Earth X capt. these are good for all kinds of ref.

Brian.

[Perna]

I sculpted a toe once.

[Dead_Poole]

I started with sculpture 1 and 2 dvds from gnomon and a couple pounds of super sculpey. Heres a link to the gnomon dvds.
http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/analog_library.html
In the Analog section. They really give you a great boost when your first starting.

[eydylhands]

I was always able to draw from a very early age...i did the kit thing like everone else building all my favorites as a child.
THen I stopped building models for a long time, until I saw some of the Horizon vinyl kits and it re-ignited something in me.

I started painting figure kits again...people wanted me to paint theirs...but cutsomize them and make 'em unique. This went on for a while until my wife said you change more on the kit than you leave untoched. "Why don't you try to sculpt one from scratch."

I did. My first sculpt took SIX months and I made every mistake possible along the way.
That's it... I just progressed from there. There is no substitute for just jumping in a DOING something.

The first time you try sculpting it will look like crap. don't quit..take criticism and use it...but don't let it stop you... learn from it and keep striving to make each piece better than your last one.

I hope this helps,
jikm

[Kdawg59]

Hey Candice!

There are a couple of spectacular books out there that you can pic up... which I will list in a moment:)

If you have the inspiration and are already a talented artist... Like you are, then that will help you out a lot. Sculpting is about seeing and observing mostly. It's how you translate what you already are seeing and or perceiving. I still don't have it all figured out but man what a difference having reference and the right tools can make. Magazines, other people's sculpts, books, live models, photos, web... The amount of research and material you can find are outstanding... just gotta pick it up and go to it m'lady because it is so addictive it's rediculous...

Now to the books:D

The holy grail of face/head/portrait sculpting
"Portrait Sculpting"
by Philippe and Charles Faraut (only available through their web site PCF studios...

"Modeling the figure in clay"
by Lucchesi

"Modeling the head in clay"
by Lucchesi (this is okay but not as cool as the portrait sculpting book

Any really good anatomy book you can land is also a plus...

These are my staples but then I try to reference the heck outta any sculpting attempt... If you weasle enough you can get people to pose for you and you can use those to reference the way the muscles flex and the way the skin covers them in that position...

Hope this helps a little... If I had any talent to back it up I'd be better suited to give advice:D

Keith

[Kdawg59]

I sculpted a toe once.


and a good toe it was T:D

[Perna]

and a good toe it was T:D
Thanks Kdawg, but I'll never be nowhere as good at sculpting as you guys on this forum.

Candice, these guys have great advice. Anything they say is gold. Gold I tells ya!

[Bengalslair]

Like with all things...the more information the better. Also, practice makes perfect. There are many good resources like these forums that provide vast amounts of knowledge, tutorials, and links for sculpting. Remember that learning is a process, so don't get frustrated if your first piece does not turn out like a Micheangelo, Rodin, Bowen, Villafane, Sosa, Shiflett, Hansen, Cleary, Nagle, Needham, just to name a few of my inspirations. Some of these guys are naturally talented, but I would imagine that it took a few trys to get it just right. Have fun...and be open to criticism (feed back).

-Rick

[mystique]

It helps greatly!I was always able to draw from a very early age...i did the kit thing like everone else building all my favorites as a child.
THen I stopped building models for a long time, until I saw some of the Horizon vinyl kits and it re-ignited something in me.

I started painting figure kits again...people wanted me to paint theirs...but cutsomize them and make 'em unique. This went on for a while until my wife said you change more on the kit than you leave untoched. "Why don't you try to sculpt one from scratch."

I did. My first sculpt took SIX months and I made every mistake possible along the way.
That's it... I just progressed from there. There is no substitute for just jumping in a DOING something.

The first time you try sculpting it will look like crap. don't quit..take criticism and use it...but don't let it stop you... learn from it and keep striving to make each piece better than your last one.

I hope this helps,
jikm

[mystique]

I sculpted a toe once.
That toe... a museum piece, my friend. A museum piece.

[Bullseye]

How long has Tony been back on. Is the server safe?:)

[Ray Villafane]

My first sculpt took SIX months

OMG!!!!, did you mean six minutes? You mean you are mortal after all.

[Scotty]

OMG!!!!, did you mean six minutes? You mean you are mortal after all.

HAHAHA :laugh:

[Perna]

How long has Tony been back on. Is the server safe?:)
Easy now, it wasn't me messing up the server. At least I don't think it was me.

Candice, I can't wait to see what your working on next.

[Scotty]

Absorb all the advice above, and try to utilize it. I too used to draw all kinds of crazy stuff since I was a kid. Imagination is like gold....hope yours is limitless. :thumbs2:

[Mad4Busts]

Hey Candice!

These are my staples but then I try to reference the heck outta any sculpting attempt... If you weasle enough you can get people to pose for you and you can use those to reference the way the muscles flex and the way the skin covers them in that position...

Hope this helps a little... If I had any talent to back it up I'd be better suited to give advice:D

Keith

Hey I already told her I would pose for her for a statue or bust, but since her first one is NOT going to be a shirtless DET. ANDY SIPOWICZ there goes my "foist" modeling gig! :laugh:

[Tommy Allison]

Nothing is as good, as trial and error.

[cblakey1]

I've always been able to draw and built models and painted dungeons and dragons figures as a kid. Went to college for commercial art and took a few other elective art courses. I hung up art for like, 20 years and 5-6 years ago tried a few sculpts. Hung that up for a few years and found this forum. Seeing all the amazing talent on this forum and their WIPs got me jazzed about blowing the dust off of the tools and trying again.

I don't profess to be a great sculptor--just a hack. I'll get an idea, knock it out in a few nights, and if it looks cool, then that's great. If it sucks, oh well. At least I followed through on my idea. After reading all the advice on the forum though, I find that I am looking at more anatomy/sculpting reference books to help me in areas that I've had problems. The people here are real good and have a keen eye for anatomy and such, so it's hard to put something over on them. I really appreciate their input and in time, following advice and with practice, I'll get better.

I've never been one to "copy" something straight from a drawing or existing sculpt. I will just peek at something like a comic for costume or character reference, then the pose and actual "look" of the character is my vision. That's what I think makes a decent artist. Anyone can copy someone exactly basing it on so-and-so's style, but to do something completely original is what make the sculpt unique. The only thing I've ever done based on a pic was the Tank Girl I posted here a few months back, but even then, I changed things I didn't like with the drawing. A good example of original sculpts are the Shifflets for or Gabe Perna. They do amazing original sculpts! Look at all the comic variations of Batman or Hulk, too. Each artist has their own unique interpretation and you can't say anyone's is "wrong", just different. That's why in collecting, I buy all versions of statues and busts of, for example, Mystique, Lara Croft, or Morbius, even Miracle Man (if the $$ holds out :D).. all different takes, and all cool IMO.

Anyway, My advice is: build an armature, slap on some sculpey, and carve and mould away. Some stuff will suck, and some will surprise you, but in time, you will get very good. You've already got a great headstart because of all the excellent mod work you do! :buttrock:

[mystique]

I've always been able to draw and built models and painted dungeons and dragons figures as a kid. Went to college for commercial art and took a few other elective art courses. I hung up art for like, 20 years and 5-6 years ago tried a few sculpts. Hung that up for a few years and found this forum. Seeing all the amazing talent on this forum and their WIPs got me jazzed about blowing the dust off of the tools and trying again.

I don't profess to be a great sculptor--just a hack. I'll get an idea, knock it out in a few nights, and if it looks cool, then that's great. If it sucks, oh well. At least I followed through on my idea. After reading all the advice on the forum though, I find that I am looking at more anatomy/sculpting reference books to help me in areas that I've had problems. The people here are real good and have a keen eye for anatomy and such, so it's hard to put something over on them. I really appreciate their input and in time, following advice and with practice, I'll get better.

I've never been one to "copy" something straight from a drawing or existing sculpt. I will just peek at something like a comic for costume or character reference, then the pose and actual "look" of the character is my vision. That's what I think makes a decent artist. Anyone can copy someone exactly basing it on so-and-so's style, but to do something completely original is what make the sculpt unique. The only thing I've ever done based on a pic was the Tank Girl I posted here a few months back, but even then, I changed things I didn't like with the drawing. A good example of original sculpts are the Shifflets for or Gabe Perna. They do amazing original sculpts! Look at all the comic variations of Batman or Hulk, too. Each artist has their own unique interpretation and you can't say anyone's is "wrong", just different. That's why in collecting, I buy all versions of statues and busts of, for example, Mystique, Lara Croft, or Morbius, even Miracle Man (if the $$ holds out :D).. all different takes, and all cool IMO.

Anyway, My advice is: build an armature, slap on some sculpey, and carve and mould away. Some stuff will suck, and some will surprise you, but in time, you will get very good. You've already got a great headstart because of all the excellent mod work you do! :buttrock:


I appreciate all of this advice... I really do. I didn't see your Tank Girl... can you post them again? Or do you have a link to more of you sculpts? I would love to see your work.

[cblakey1]

I appreciate all of this advice... I really do. I didn't see your Tank Girl... can you post them again? Or do you have a link to more of you sculpts? I would love to see your work.

:D

http://www.statueforum.com/showthread.php?t=4364&highlight=tank+girl

http://www.statueforum.com/showthread.php?t=4044&highlight=tank+girl

[mystique]

:D

http://www.statueforum.com/showthread.php?t=4364&highlight=tank+girl

http://www.statueforum.com/showthread.php?t=4044&highlight=tank+girl


You are NOT a hack... Those are great. Have you finished her yet??????
:buttrock:

[cblakey1]

You are NOT a hack... Those are great. Have you finished her yet??????
:buttrock:

Pretty close. just need to sand a little and retool some things that don't look right.

Hey... thx for the compliment!
:buttrock:

[marvsandman]

Reference books...How to Make Clay Characters by Carlson and Family and Friends in Polymer Clay also by Carlson.

Suggestions...if this is your first sculpt, try not to bog yourself down in fixing mistakes, just get the sculpt done, add details absolutely last, go on to the next one without looking back. I once read that a writer has about twelve bad stories in them, so they should write those first and get on with the good stuff. Sculpting, I find, is no different. Get the crap out of your system, then the good stuff will start pouring out. Finally, don't fall in love with your work, especially the early stuff.

[Tommy Allison]

100% trial and error and two phone calls to Kent Melton taught me everything I know about sculpting.

[Tommy Allison]

The best thing about being an Amazing Sculptor, is knowing that it's Amazing I still have all my fingers.

It's amazing that I haven't been hunted down and shot.

It's amazing that when I'm abducted by aliens that they bring me back to my car.

I'm telling you, It's hard to be an Amazing Sculptor.