First clay model test :)

**J-K** · May 22nd, 2006, 06:40 PM

Hi guys,

I quite honestly feel a little bit out of place here, but I thought I'd post my first clay model for 12 years! Last time I did anything with clay was at school when I was 15. Since then I've worked as a 3D modeller in the games industry for several years, and after deciding to try freelancing a few years ago I've had the opportunity to experiment a bit more and move into other areas. I've moved mostly into 2D now, and recently decided to take the plunge and buy some clay after being inspired by sculptures in this very forum. I REALLY enjoyed myself

I felt just like a kid for a day and managed to come up with this face test. It's not great or original but it's a start, and I'd love to learn a bit more about the techniques and try a few monsters or something like that! Anyhow, any crits or general advice would be great because this piece began to crack after a little while and I'm not too sure why. I don't mind though, it's added some character and looks old! I heard oil based clay might be better - anyone have any comments regarding the differences/advantages etc?

If you're interested in seeing a little 1.4mb movie of the face, you can find it on my website in the traditional/clay section - hopefully it will give you a much better idea of the form etc

Thanks a lot and I'm looknig forward to posting some new stuff in the future!
J-K

Website: www.Brushsize.com

**Wilhelm87** · May 22nd, 2006, 07:09 PM

Omg I love it, very realistic. Nothing to crit

**LudaChris82199** · May 22nd, 2006, 08:50 PM

what type of clay are u using ,W.E.D.?

**Blue** · May 23rd, 2006, 01:32 AM

looks like 3d modeling transfered over pretty well into clay modeling. Looks good, will you be firing and glazing this?

**J-K** · May 23rd, 2006, 07:01 AM

Hi guys,

Thanks a lot for the comments, I used self-drying clay for this face test so there's no need to fire it. I think that might be why it began to crack but I'm not sure. I can't remember who made the clay right now, but I do know it was French! :E

LudaChris82199: Hi, I'm not sure what W.E.D. is

Thanks
J-K

**Saittam_j** · May 23rd, 2006, 07:04 AM

well you sure as hell got some frigging good skills!

**nickzucc** · May 23rd, 2006, 10:31 AM

Great job!

Thanks for sharing!

Peace,

NickZ.

**Moirica** · May 24th, 2006, 02:19 AM

Wow! and that was after HOW many years?? Have you read smellybug's TUT? Really fine attention to detail.
And yes, the reason why the clay cracked was because the bridge of the nose is usually thinner and it dried faster than the rest of the face. Next time, you could try to put a strip of damp cloth/papertowel on the thin parts till the rest of the head gets to the same thickness(not sure about the air dry stuff+water)...or better yet, turn your peice over and carve out clay till it's about 2" thick all around. That way it'll all dry evenly. (If you're doing a bust in a class you'll have to cut it in half and carve out the clay to eliminate bubbles...and to dry faster.

)
WED stands for Walter E Disney, made by a team of Disney's artists to dry more slowly and stays in the leatherhard for a pretty long time so you have ample time to carve in those awesome details. ;D And check this forum out too for more crits too.

They've been doing things like this and have pretty awesome stuff...

Hope this helps