Sculpting

Sculpting is the next process after completing a cast and moulding part one. Oil based clay and water based clay are the two types which would be used when sculpting a piece for prosthetic makeup. Water based clay would be used when sculpting something small which would not take long to complete. This is because water must constantly be added to stop the clay from drying out. Oil based clay would be used for a task which will take longer and requires more detail. To create a fantastic, precise sculpture it is important to use reference images which give you a general idea of the design. By sketching an image, this may help the process as you can see on paper the idea of the final piece. Below is a step by step process of sculpting using oil based clay. This step by step fits my project brief.

Image one

What you will need:

- Mould

- Oil base clay

- A variety or sculpting tools

- Hard wire brush

- Talcum powder

- Reference images
- Wax applicator stick
- Oven
- Powder brush
















Image two

Step 1: Set up your equipment. Turn the oven on to 50 degrees. Make sure the clothes you are wearing are suitable for getting dirty and possibly ruined. 

Step 2: Place the clay in the oven. Check the clay every couple of minutes. When it is ready it should be warm and soft. This will make the clay easier to shape. 

Step 3: Put some of the clay on the nose of the mould and begin to shape the nose of the fox using your hands. (Image two)

Step 4: Begin to shape the rest of the facial appliance by adding more clay, it should stop above the top lip. The edge of the clay should follow the centre of the cheeks just below the cheek bone up to the temples of the head. It should then follow the hair line stopping about 1.5 cms from the top circling round meeting at in the middle of the forehead. There should be circles around the eyes where the clay has not been added.  

Step 5: Use your sculpting tools to constructs the nose and cheek bones.

Step 6: Take a sculpting tool with a rounded edge to scoop to nostrils in the bottom of the nose. Use your fingers to smooth them out.

Step 7: Using the hard wire brush, create strokes that resemble wolf fur. Use the reference images to see what directions the hair lies.

Step 8: Take a sculpting tool with a sharp edge to create the pores in the end of the nose.

Step 9: Using the same tool, straighten the edge of the clay including the edges around the eyes. Then take the wax applicator stick to smooth the clay down. This is so that when the prosthetic is on the face it will blend well with the skin. (Image three)


Image three

Step 10: When you feel the sculpt has the correct shape and features, cover it in talcum powder with a powder brush (Image one)