Ever wonder what an artist's creative process looks from start to finish? Look no further!! Here I will highlight the artist process for one of my sculpture pieces. Check out the Artifact section to see fully rendered photos! :)
Step 1: Ideation
When creating a sculpture, the first step is to come up with the concept. Although sometimes you can figure out the sculpture as you go, if you are wanting a character to successfully have a certain pose, the pre-planning is critical.
As Max is a spell caster, I wanted him posed in the process of casting one. To make it more natural, I wanted him to be standing contrapposto.
Step 2: Form the Base
For this project I used a wire base and filled out the frame with aluminum foil. Although sculpey clay is put over it, you don't want to use more sculpey clay than you have to.
Step 3: Put on the Sculpey!
This process is conducted using various sculpting tools. Up to this point the process is fairly straight-forward and soothing. But adding the detail: This is where the fun begins.
Step 4: Trust the Process!
This step by far is the hardest, because the level of detail you want to add, and the lengths you go are up to you! Every artist gets to a point where they doubt if their artwork is going to get anywhere and they are afraid that it's going to be ugly and not worth it. That is usually this stage.
But don't give up! Trust the process and keep working. Soon enough you will look at what you've made and be surprised at the results!
Step 5: Refine Sculpting
Once you are happy with your sculpture and add your final touches, it's time to take another risk -- put it in the oven!!
Step 6: Bake Your Sculpture
It feels like taking yet another risk, but baking your sculpture will ensure that all of your detail work sticks around, as unfired sculpey clay softens over time, losing details. This step is also necessary if you are wanting to paint your sculpture.
Make sure that you have the biggest oven possible in order to complete this step, as leaning your sculpture the wrong way could result in cracking. Trust me, I speak from experience hehe.
Step 7: Paint Your Sculpture
Acrylic paint is your best bet here. A great tip that I learned is that first painting your sculpey a matte gray will help the colors you want to paint show up better. Also note if you are painting your sculpture in warm or cool lighting. This will affect the way that your colors eventually turn out.
Sadly at first Max ended up looking like Ariel from the Little Mermaid-- all because I was painting him with too much warm light, and the green kept on turning into more of a turquoise color. Hehe.
Step 8: Bask in the Glory of Your Creation
Woo!! Your sculpture is finally completed. Take some time to admire your work and note the many areas you grew in the making of this project. Behold: Maximus Terrowin.
