I explained some of the steps in the pics. But here's some things that weren't explained.
That white thing in the background in the first pic is a piece of foam. Basically after I wired Dash off the clouds and the base off the plate, I put the piece of foam on top of the clouds and carefully flipped it over so I could hollow it out from the bottom. The foam gives something soft for the sculpture to sit on. After I got so deep, I carefully flipped it back over and hollowed it out from the top.
I hollowed out the torso and the head and began the process of putting her back together which involved a lot of scoring and slipping and caulking with soft clay.
It's still not perfect but it'll be easier to blend it when the clay dries out a little bit more.
Tomorrow I add the front legs and ears, detail her eyes, and maybe add her mane.
Why hollow out the sculpture? Does the prevent cracking in the kiln? I'm not familiar with kiln work, but I'd love to try it. Would a wire mesh armature work instead? Would that be easier? I can sculpt with earth clay, but I've never had access to a kiln.
You're exactly right. We hollow out our sculptures because anything thicker than a half and inch has the tendency to crack or explode in the kiln. If there's places that can't be hollowed out (like the cloud loops) we take a needle tool and poke a bunch of holes in it and then smooth them out. The more air that can circulate in the piece the better.
I haven't worked with mesh armatures (or heck, any armatures for that matter) so I don't know how easier/harder that would be. I think it also depends on what clay your using. I think you would use the meshes for lower fire clays, polymer clays, or air dry clays. I honestly think the metal would melt or do something bad at the temps at which our sculptures fire. (They fire anywhere from 2200-2500 degrees F)
If you don't have access to a kiln you can use polymer clays (which can be fired in a conventional oven) or air dry clays. I also believe you can rent out kiln space if there's a local pottery/ceramics place around your location.
Thanks for the comment. I love answering questions. ^^
--
I'm open for commissions! See this journal for details. [link]
Sculpting to me is fun and relaxing. You should grab yourself some modeling clay and play around with it. You might be surprised at what you come up with!
And thanks! I'm glad I could inspire you!
--
I'm open for commissions! See this journal for details. [link]
--
░░░░░░░░
░▓▓░░▓▓░
░░▄██▄░░
░░█▀▀█░░
░░░░░░░░
♈ ♉ ♊ ♋ ♌ ♍ ♎ ♏ ♐ ♑ ♒ ♓
--
I'm open for commissions! See this journal for details. [link]
--
--
I'm open for commissions! See this journal for details. [link]
--
I haven't worked with mesh armatures (or heck, any armatures for that matter) so I don't know how easier/harder that would be. I think it also depends on what clay your using. I think you would use the meshes for lower fire clays, polymer clays, or air dry clays. I honestly think the metal would melt or do something bad at the temps at which our sculptures fire. (They fire anywhere from 2200-2500 degrees F)
If you don't have access to a kiln you can use polymer clays (which can be fired in a conventional oven) or air dry clays. I also believe you can rent out kiln space if there's a local pottery/ceramics place around your location.
Thanks for the comment. I love answering questions. ^^
--
I'm open for commissions! See this journal for details. [link]
on a side note.. this is AWESOME. I've never worked with clay before.. but you inspire me to try!
--
#My-Little-Alicorn: [link]
#Ponytopia: [link]
#shoo-be-doo: [link]
Sculpting to me is fun and relaxing. You should grab yourself some modeling clay and play around with it. You might be surprised at what you come up with!
And thanks! I'm glad I could inspire you!
--
I'm open for commissions! See this journal for details. [link]
>when you've never read Cupcakes
>like ever
>not even as a bedtime story read by me, even
>Y U NO LET ME READ YOU BEDTIME STORIES?
Oh you. <3
Glad to see it's coming along nicely~
--
PONIES, PONIES EVERYWHERE!!