Starting Mystery Sculpt #3

I just started new Mystery Sculpt #3. This is 1/2 life sized ceramic paperclay. I will be adding Whitestone clay over the paperclay when it is closer to finished.

Due to Spring Break - I won't be posting for a while, so it will take a bit of time before I update this portrait sculpture.

Any guesses who this mystery person is?

The photo below shows the armature that I constructed for this sculpt. I took 1/2" plumbing fittings to create the contours and used t-fittings to form the shoulders. Water based clay is very heavy and prone to slumping and will need a sturdy armature until it is sufficiently hardened enough to support it's own weight.

Once I secured the armature to the wood base using the flange, I wrapped it with some newspaper and covered the newspaper with strapping tape to hold it in place.

The wadded newspaper at the top is for the head. Without a broad enough surface to support the clay - the armature can act like a spear and the clay can slump down the armature.

Portrait Sculpting Workshop with Lori Kiplinger Pandy

I am teaching sculpting classes and workshops this year.
More info on my site:
http://kiplingerpandy.com/classes.html

Sculpting from the Inside Out

5 day workshop

Sculpting expression in the portrait bust

April 28-May 2 from 9:30-4:30 pm daily
Held at the Sculpture Depot (map here)
$425 ($100 deposit*) Class size limited to 10 students - minimum of 5 students
Additional: model fee and clay (I will post or email soon)

Sculpting a portrait is one of the most demanding yet satisfying forms of sculpting. In this class we'll work on understanding the anatomy of the face and neck, learn about the planes of the face and build a portrait from the inside out. Knowing the structure of the head and understanding the core muscles that come into play in facial expression is key in creating a good portrait. You can choose between oil based clay or water based clay for this class. There will be some ecorche building of the muscles in days one and two, refining shapes and planes in day three with the introduction of the model and days four and five will be devoted to likeness and expression in the sculpture.

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Intro to Sculpting Sampler Series

5 week class

Wondering where to start? Confused about the different sculpting materials? Looking for hands-on guidance with practical tips and techniques for the different materials?

In my Intro to Sculpting Sampler Series I'll address those issues. During this weekly class you have the opportunity to try different clays and sculpting mediums and learn the pros and cons, advantages and limitations of each one and tools that work best with them.

Class meets weekly Wed. from 10am-12pm
March 26-April 23
Class held at Sculpture Depot (map here)
$95 ($50 deposit*) Class size limited to 10 students - minimum of 5 students
Additional: $4 group rate foundry tour fee -

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Mystery Sculpt continued - blocking in the clothing

The mystery person is taking shape. I began to rough in the clothing. The head was quite heave so I cut off the top and did some early hollowing. I will need to hollow much more next week when it firms up. It's tempting to finish more, but I know that the process of cutting the sculpt open, hollowing out and reassembling will invariably lead to some damage, so I'll resist finishing it much more until the piece is leather hard and ready for that phase.
Since I was using us some Slab and Sculpture clay, I didn't have any more of that particular clay to finish the clothing. I was able to get something quite similar called Tile and Sculpture from The Stone Leaf Pottery in Arvada, CO - a bit over an hour drive from my studio. The folks there were very helpful and I was able to get this clay (cone 10) and several other bags to try out on my next sculptures. While the heavy, sandy, groggy texture of this clay is nearly identical, the color is a bit darker red. That won't matter when I do the patina, however so isn't a concern.