My first clay model

jhogan · #1 07-30-2006, 09:23 AM

Greetings,
I am new to this forum. I've been carving for about seven years now, but have never produced anything original... so I though I'd give it a try. I can't draw well enough to sketch anything, so I made this clay model. You can see him at http://www.picturetrail.com, just log in with jhogan1. He is supposed to be swatting a fly.... martial arts style. I've left his head without detail because I plan to carve it separate. As far as the hands go, his left one will be rigid and stiff... sort of in the Karate chop position, and his right one will be holding a fly swatter. Any comments, criticisms, or suggestions would be appreciated; I'm really in new territory here.
Regards,
John

Paul_Guraedy · #2 07-30-2006, 11:15 AM

John, I am a real believer in the use of a clay model. You have done an excellent job for your first effort. The only suggestions I would make concerns his waist size and bib overalls.

You might want him as trim as the claymodel; but, I think it would be more interesting to have him thicker around the middle. This seems to be true for most of us who spend most of their time in overalls. Also, overalls (even when the sides are buttoned) come to about the belt line rather than high on the sides. You might leave the sides unbuttoned and gapping open for an even more interesting effect.

If you prefer not to use these suggestions, and carve the clay as it is, you will still have a very nice piece.

jhogan · #3 07-30-2006, 06:38 PM

Thanks, Paul. I agree, he is too thin. I've added a few pounds to him and he is much more interesting. I also hit google and did a little research on overalls... found a few pics of Junior Samples and then went back and modified the model. I'll post some pics later when the lighting is better; looks like we're in for a thunder storm.

John

Thomp · #4 07-31-2006, 12:41 AM

jhogan,
first thing ,
the armature and clay sculpting are great.
words of wisdom from Paul are great suggestions,
I have made a lot of carvings with fat bellies or just enough detail into the block to make arms apparent from the original block, there fine, but i have been lately experimenting with thinner characters, old folks, hillbillys and cowboys that look like they been on a long hard hungry trail, and I'm beginning to like the thinner ones as it provides one more challenge, of proportion,

like paul said lots of different things can be done to a carature to put in more intrest like leaving one of his sholder bib straps undone or one foot in a show one in a holy sock.
one leg of his pants being pulled up, patches or holes in his clothing and hair design or lack of hair...
or swatting the fly with his hat? or fixing to step into something....

these are all suggestions pick and choose from them, or go with your own...
but i do like your using a clay armature for creating your own style,
i bought clay but its too hot to work the clay stays too sticky here so i bought sculpy. with the thought i usualy like my armature charters well enough to have them perminately so i just cook them after there prefected./finished

--
on another note. its not that hard to put pictures ot links into the posts. actually photos stored off site is easier to post in messages than uploaded to this board..

simply open the page in a new window,
right click on the picture and click properties copy the link of the photo shown in the photo properties and then go to the forum reply, click the picture icon and paste the link in the pop up.

jhogan · #5 07-31-2006, 03:41 PM

Thanks, Thomp. I tried to post the pics like you said, but could only post one at a time. Anyway, I left them back at picturetrail.com. Type in jhogan1 and they should pop right up. I fattened up my figure a bit, and added a few other interesting characteristics from the ideas you and Paul gave me. I hope you guys go and check him out and let me know what you think. I had a heck of a time keeping him upright. Next time I'll try using some filler material, like foil, rather than going with wire only.
Thanks,
John

Paul_Guraedy · #6 07-31-2006, 10:25 PM

I like the changes you made. The strap coming off the shoulder, the toes in the boot and the obviously un-karate type guy makes the whole thing much more interesting. Good luck on the carving.

Thomp · #7 07-31-2006, 11:33 PM

you can find many hints with working with armatures & clay, posted elswhere on the board.. lot of it has been discussed.
this heat is terrible, one feller said they keep a ice chest handywhen the clay gets too hot they just put it in the ice chest,, to stiffen the clay back up..
nothing more frustrating than being in the creative mood to work with something that wont cooperate,
i have used a quick trip to the freezer on my clay on occasion to stiffen it up but unless left in the freezer it only chills the casing and it reverts to a sticky mess in the heat...

i havent found anything to dry out some of the oil to stiffen the clay maybe that is a good thing..

jhogan · #8 08-01-2006, 09:16 AM

Hmmm, it's hot as a biscuit here... going over 100 today. I've been working the clay inside with the AC keeping it cool. Today I'll cut patterns and get ready to bandsaw them. By the way, thanks again Paul and Thomp for your suggestions... they gave me the confidence to keep moving forward with this whole thing.

John