Sculpting

[HL2 Master]

Hello All,

I have gone through alot of the posts looking for som way to expand my knowledge in custom head sculpts, I did not really see too much. However I did see alot of talent.

Can someone point me in the right direction, on how to make custom sculpts, and what materials I need?
I am looking to make some figures from the Buffy and Angel lines that SSC has not made yet, like Tara, Riley, Wesley, Gun, Etc.


Thanks
HL2

 

[johnnyMS]

the only thing i could suggest is super sculpy you can find it at most art supply stores and i think thats what most of the Professionals use
and i use it too

 

[DarkAngelDTB]

I would highly recommend Sculpy firm. Its opaque and shows up all your flaws as you sculpt. I used to use normal super sculpy but the fact that it is slightly translucent makes it hard to see where your going wrong.

The best thing to do when making a character head sculpt is to just surround yourself with reference and work your way from there.

I have a series of photos at home that show a step by step process of how I sculpt a head from scratchI will post them up later on tonight to give you some Idea of the process and how I do it. Though everyone has their own way of doing things. Hope this helps.

All the best

Dean

 

[DarkAngelDTB]

OK here you go. Here's a few images that will hopefully give you a few hints and tips to scupting a head.

Hope this helps.

First off. use a head as reference from a 1/6th figure to get your scale right.

Then I use a wooden dowel and start adding clumps of clay to build up the shape according to my scale guide.

I then add a couple of eyes to work out the positioning.

Then finish blocking out the features with clay.

I then start refining the shapes to match the characters features.

Then finally I end up with something hopefully slightly resembling the character I was doing

And here is the finished head.

Anyway I hope that gives you a little insight into the process. everyones is different but it gives you something to go off.

all the best.

Dean

 

[HL2 Master]

Awesome tutorial! Tanks man! I will try my hand at it and let you know how it goes.

HL2

 

[TOE]

That is pretty neat.

Thanks.

 

[Kabukiman]

Very cool of you to share, Dean! Thanks!

 

[Darren Carnall]

question... y'know using this method, once you've baked it and you have a cooled down, hard head.... does it stick to the dowel? or just it just twist off?

 

[DarkAngelDTB]

question... y'know using this method, once you've baked it and you have a cooled down, hard head.... does it stick to the dowel? or just it just twist off?

Hmmm glad you asked that question as when I was using normal super sculpy the head came off the rod very easily but now I have changed over to sculpy firm. the blasted thing wont budge. so my Paul McGann has an imovable rod in his neck at the moment. I am probably going to have to saw it off if it doesnt come loose.

Awesome tutorial! Tanks man! I will try my hand at it and let you know how it goes.

HL2

Good luck.

That is pretty neat.

Thanks.

Cheers buddy.

Very cool of you to share, Dean! Thanks!

No problem. I will try and do some more of these as I progress through the Doctors.

 

[Kabukiman]

No problem. I will try and do some more of these as I progress through the Doctors.

I hope so. I'd really like to see your methods for various hair styles. Your hair always seems to turn out amazing!

 

[Shropt]

What do you use for the "eyes"?

 

[Darren Carnall]

Hmmm glad you asked that question as when I was using normal super sculpy the head came off the rod very easily but now I have changed over to sculpy firm. the blasted thing wont budge. so my Paul McGann has an imovable rod in his neck at the moment. I am probably going to have to saw it off if it doesnt come loose.

yeah I use SuperSculpey Firm too. I use the 'sculpt the face onto a white tile, then bake and do the rest' method... but I wouldn't mind trying it on a dowel if it can be done... I've always preferred when I'm doing a resculpt of something, so there's an existing head... being able to hold the dowel and see all the way round, I just seem to prefer it like that

Guess we'll have to see. maybe we need to put something on the dowel... maybe a super-thin rubbing of vaseline or something, might enable it to be twisted off once done

anyway, thanks for the quick answer

 

[DarkAngelDTB]

I hope so. I'd really like to see your methods for various hair styles. Your hair always seems to turn out amazing!

Cheers for that. I always think the hair is the hardest part to get right. I have given up on the sculpted hair on my Rose head I have done. I will come back to it. Just got scultors block on it I think. McGann's hair will be interesting to get right.

What do you use for the "eyes"?

I just rolled up some white fimo and baked them. I have a tray full of little white balls.

yeah I use SuperSculpey Firm too. I use the 'sculpt the face onto a white tile, then bake and do the rest' method... but I wouldn't mind trying it on a dowel if it can be done... I've always preferred when I'm doing a resculpt of something, so there's an existing head... being able to hold the dowel and see all the way round, I just seem to prefer it like that

Guess we'll have to see. maybe we need to put something on the dowel... maybe a super-thin rubbing of vaseline or something, might enable it to be twisted off once done

anyway, thanks for the quick answer

yeah I was thinking maybe a little vaseline might work. I park bake once have got the basic head shape roughed out. the good thing is you can always chop off the hardened clay if needed. Not sure what you mean regarding sculpt onto a tile? do you mean you just do the face and not the head first? Thats an interesting method if thats what you mean.

I would definitly use something to put the head on. I will have to see if I have something else that would work as well. Maybe something tapered would work better so that it slides out.

Dean

 

[Huggerkeeper]

Awesome Thread! I do molding and casting work...if anyone needs something done in large numbers. Van my rtv, and pressure cast.

 

[Darren Carnall]

here you go Dean, this is where I first saw it. It certainly works... but I'm still not sure if it's how I'll carry on doing them. I guess I'll end up changing my methods constantly. It's a good link though

https://www.onesixthwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58237

 

[DarkAngelDTB]

here you go Dean, this is where I first saw it. It certainly works... but I'm still not sure if it's how I'll carry on doing them. I guess I'll end up changing my methods constantly. It's a good link though

https://www.onesixthwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58237

Oh Wow thats a fantastic thread there. I will have a proper read later on as I am jsut hitting the road home. But it looks like a really interesting tecnique. Might give that a go for my next one.

cheers for that Darren.

 

[shocktrooper_au]

https://theclubhouse1.net/forums
Here is a site that will help you on your road many sculpters post there including many who make the figures we collect.
Enjoy!!!
Ohh here's a couple of mine I'm only a beginner so please excuse it

 

[shocktrooper_au]

These 2 where supposed to be Christian Bale & the Emperor really rough though
sorry for the bad photos!