Glyptic Sculpting Tool Review

I'm trying something a little different by doing a video review today. Depending on how long it takes me to learn to video, edit and upload I may choose to do more in a video format - or may do them occasionally while doing regular blog posts with still photos. The goal is to share information but not to take away too much actual sculpting and studio time.

Every sculptor has an arsenal of sculpting tools. Some are used once and deemed not very useful and others get used into the the ground. I have some great tools that use quite a lot and it shows. I have some that are constantly breaking or pulling apart at the ferrule. Yes, I can usually fix it by mixing a two-part epoxy and cemented it back together - but over time they break again.

One tool that has never had this problem is the Glyptic Sculpting Tool. I have the Glyptic E Handle which is for small and medium loops and do plan to buy a larger tool for my next sculpting project. What I like is that because the loop extends down into the aluminum handle it takes the pressure off the ferrule area, resulting in a strong tool. I can really dig with this baby and it doesn't give, bend or wiggle and trust me, in a cold Colorado studio, the clay can get pretty hard - bending and breaking tools is common.

You can also easily change out the tool's loop ends from small to medium, smooth and serrated. The set of loops that I have is medium serrated and comes with 7 loop ends and a small hex wrench.

Simply loosen the small hex bolt, slide out the loop, choose a new loop to insert and re-tighten the hex bolt and you're ready to sculpt with a new size or shape of loop tool.

I got mine about 5-7 years ago from SculptureDepot.net and it is still in as good of a shape has when I got it. When you compare that to the tools that I have epoxied back together, that's saying something.

Hopefully I'll get video and editing figured out better so I can splice in video of the tools being used...

Update on Mystery Sculpt #3 - refining forms and adding arms

 I've been busy teaching a sculpting class and so behind in work and in posting. This is water based clay at 3/4 life size. The stick that you see is helping to support the hand and arm while the clay firms up a bit.

Any guesses as to how this is? I'll be positing more later....

Sold - Harriet Tubman in bronze

This weekend was the Loveland sculpture Invitational held in Loveland, Colorado. While quite hot on Friday and Saturday, it was a comfortable on Sunday.

I had a very good response to my sculptures and was especially glad that I paid the rush fees to get my bust of Harriet Tubman finished in time for the show, as she seemed to be a favorite not only of mine, but of the people that viewed her at the show.

I have named the bronze of Harriet  #1 of 9 edition- "Fierce", as she was indeed fierce, brave and very smart. She's been carefully packed and is en route to the collector in Kansas City, Mo.

A new order for the #2 of 9 of "Fierce" will be going in next week.

Now that the show is over, I'm going to take a few days off for some much needed family time before starting back up in the studio on Monday, Aug 20th.