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Post by allurose on Dec 12, 2014 18:47:39 GMT -8
Can anyone recommend a tutorial for sculpting a bjd with earth clay as is used for ceramics? I am wondering: -what do you use for an armature or tubes for stringing? -what do you use in place of wooden beads for the ball joints? -do you fire the piece or just let it dry and make a mold? I suppose if it isn't fired I can use flammable materials like plastic straws and wooden beads. I have signed up for a ceramics class! I know most people use another medium for sculpting, but I am in love with earth clay and want to find a way to make it work. I'm so excited to try! I have a vision for a unique doll sculpt.
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Hasel
Senior Member
Posts: 220
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Post by Hasel on Dec 13, 2014 2:30:14 GMT -8
aaah I know how you feel! I looove to sculpt in wax, it just... listens to me, so I also had to figure out a way how to use it. I think you should do tests, the problem with riverclay (earth clay?) is that it schrinks and cracks a bit when it dries, especially when it dries to fast so I'm not sure if wooden balls would work. It might not be a problem at all but if it is, you could try to make a rubber mold over a wooden ball, then you could push the clay into the rubber and have a perfect round ball shape I think it would be more easy to make molds after fired, because you have to build in half of your shape before you pour the plaster in, I usually do this with play-doh or riverclay, but if your shapes are still unfired it could harm it because it wettens the clay again. Oh, and maybe you could ask your teacher if it would be possible to make the tunnels with paper straws, they would just burn in the oven and I don't think it's toxic like plastic straw would be I'm really curious at how this will work out for you! Good luck!
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Post by allurose on Dec 13, 2014 10:10:12 GMT -8
Oh this is many good ideas! Thank you hasel! My teacher has experience making molds of projects (pots and tiles, not dolls) so he can help me too once the class starts.
Perhaps if an oil based clay like scupley was used to build up the mold it would not rehydrate the clay? Hmm.
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Hasel
Senior Member
Posts: 220
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Post by Hasel on Dec 13, 2014 11:07:10 GMT -8
Ooh that's a good idea! Maybe you can use plasticine? it's normally used in stop-motion animation and it's oilbased. It's much softer and cheaper then sculpey.
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Post by Divine Creations on Dec 14, 2014 19:28:22 GMT -8
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Post by allurose on Dec 14, 2014 19:54:20 GMT -8
Oh that is very pretty! It looks so big, what size is it?
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Post by Divine Creations on Dec 15, 2014 8:54:04 GMT -8
Thank you Allurose, it's 6 inches hight. And will shrink after firing in the kiln.
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Post by allurose on Dec 15, 2014 11:58:09 GMT -8
Oh yes, I see it is for your ww big doll. You have such sculpting skill. I hope one day I can come close! <3
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Post by Divine Creations on Dec 16, 2014 5:25:07 GMT -8
Thank you Allurose, I went to special art school in NY for sculpting classes for several month when we learn how to sculpt from life models, it was great experience. I remember I was tired from clay, can you imagine sculpting from 8 am to 1.00 pm 5 days a week?! But I think I will be student for ever, I still need to learn a lot.
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Post by allurose on Dec 16, 2014 9:30:06 GMT -8
Thank you Allurose, I went to special art school in NY for sculpting classes for several month when we learn how to sculpt from life models, it was great experience. I remember I was tired from clay, can you imagine sculpting from 8 am to 1.00 pm 5 days a week?! But I think I will be student for ever, I still need to learn a lot. Wow that sounds wonderful! I hope my new instructor will teach me in this way too.
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Post by Divine Creations on Dec 16, 2014 11:57:30 GMT -8
I wish you luck Allurose!!!
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Post by allurose on Dec 16, 2014 15:23:45 GMT -8
I wish you luck Allurose!!! Laura, what kind of armature, if any, do you use when sculpting?
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Post by Divine Creations on Dec 16, 2014 17:11:14 GMT -8
You need to use armature for sculpting your peace, I am using one I bought from art school for sculpting doll heads ( you can make it yourself very easy). For body you need to make something like this, see picture below. Then you need to wrap all the wire in crashed newspaper and sculpt on top. When you finished you need to cut your sculpture in pieces like arms, legs and then make joints, but you need to remove every paper from inside, also keep all your pieces in slitelly wet paper towels inside plastic bag. You can work on parts like this as long as they are wet. And very important make your parts bigger then finished doll, earth clay shrinks like 8-10 %. I hope I answer your question.
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Post by allurose on Dec 16, 2014 21:58:39 GMT -8
Yes that helps so much! Thank you!
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Post by Divine Creations on Dec 17, 2014 7:39:27 GMT -8
I am glad I help, good luck with your learning!!!
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