I love to take sculpting classes! Heck, I love to take any kind of art class! The obvious reason for taking workshops is to learn from the experience of the talented instructors, but I always have another motive for taking sculpting and painting classes. It is simply to schedule time to actually do those things I love. When one makes a business of her art, it can be challenging to find time to pursue new artistic avenues. Making bears and teaching art are more than full time endeavors and with family time added to that I have little time for "hobbies". I have been sculpting for nearly 9 years, but since I have so very little time to sculpt, I still sort of feel like a beginner.
I was scheduled to take a doll sculpting seminar this week with Jack Johnston, but he was forced to cancel because only one other person besides me had signed up! So I decided to take my scheduled time to sculpt anyway! I have been admiring the work of Susie McMahon for some time. I love the way she uses a painted cloth over clay technique which gives her dolls and figurative sculptures the look of a 3-d painting! I want to try this!!! Using some of the refunded deposit from my Jack Johnston class, I ordered Susie McMahon's Pipkin kit from Etsy. I can't wait to make this little doll.
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| Susie McMahon's Pipkin |
But I also wanted to try the technique on my own sculpt, so I started a paperclay head...and I worked on her for nearly 12 hours straight!!! I couldn't put it down. I love to sculpt!
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| I covered a styrofoam egg with paperclay |
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| Eyes are a challenge! |
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| I wiped out the eyes and lower lip. |
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| It helps me shape the upper one the way I want. |
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| Then I put in the lower lip. |
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| Getting rid of some clay in the eye sockets. |
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| Better, I think. I need a but more material inside of the browbones. |
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| With a shoulderplate. |
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| I am pleased overall...Still need to work on the eyes. |
I tried drawing in the eyes temporarily, but something is not right. I am in love with her though, because I am in love with sculpting! I can't wait to try the "cloth over" method. I have to leave her to dry and get back to work on my bears. I have a few orders and TWO shows coming up fast!
14 comments:
You did a fantastic job. Can't wait to see the finished doll.
Thank you! I am anxious to finsh her too!
Wow, Tami, this was really interesting and the doll is so precious. Looking forward to seeing her finished. Thanks for sharing your skills.
She is a little darling. You have done a great job. I hope you enjoy the rest of the exercise.
Hugs
Thank you Linda and Kay!
Wow! You sculpted this amazing face in only 12 hours! I picked up paperclay for the first time a couple months ago and after an entire day, I had nothing like this to show for it! LOL! Maybe I should take a class! Hugs, Janice
Thank you, Janice! It wasn't twelve hours total...I worked on her for about three or four hours the first night, but then the next day for twelve hours straight, and then last night I spent a bit of time sanding and adding material in the hollow around her eyes, and making the shoulderplate,so total sculpting time is probably more like 18 hours, I'd guess.
I can not wait to see her finished. Beautiful work. I have some doll clay sitting here just waiting. It is so hard to find time. I started my bear career as doll maker. I started adding little teddies to the dolls and people wanted the teddies. I do miss making them. You inspire me, maybe soon I will get the clay out.
Oh, wow! Absolutely beautiful! You really have a knack for sculpting (and sketching and painting and creating bears)! Thank you for sharing this with us. I love seeing your process. Enjoy!
Thank you Debora and Joanne! Joanne, I am not surprised that you started with dolls. I know I have seen some of your little figures along with your bears and your bears are so sculptural with their felted faces and needle sculpted paws! "There never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do once you find them!"
Thanks for sharing all the photos of the progress, Tami. A lovely doll head.
I too have loves Susie's dolls they are so sweet. Your sculpture (head) is fantastic, you have always been amazing at sweet children! I can't wait to seeker progress on her.
seeacity Thank you for sharing this tutorial. What a beautiful face you created.
Please share with us the "cloth-over" technique you mentioned.
Thank you Marty. I did not end up using the cloth over technique, for this doll, but I finally finished her in May! Here is a link to that post if you want to look. http://www.tamieveslage.com/2013/05/adventures-in-dollmaking.html The cloth over techniwue I was goign to try is from Susie McMahon and she sells books on her Etsy site. I have a link to her blog on the side of this page.
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