Sculpting Tools

[kpajutee]

Thank you!  Yes, please do post your sculptures here in the forum  :yes

[Evelyne]

PS: I  your animals, they are sooooo real!!!

You are a GREAT sculptor!!!  ^-^

[Evelyne]

Thanks again Kerri!

I had an eye on that book, but as I can only "see" it on the internet (like when I use the "look inside" tool from Amazon), I didn't know it was the one for me. Now I know!!!  :thanks1

When I start having some (good) results, I'll post in the forum, ok?

Thank you!!!
 :bye06

[kpajutee]

Evelyne -

You may want to make your own tools (it's not that difficult) and you can customize them for only you.  There is an excellent book on the market for creating/sculpting in polymer clay. Most of her work is in a bit larger scale, but you can adapt to 1:12 scale.  The book also has a section on making your own tools --

Title:  "Creating Lifelike Figures in Polymer Clay" by Katherine Dewey  (ISBN-10: 0-8230-1503-3)

I highly recommend reading through this book if you can, as it will save you much trouble if you are just starting out in this endeavor.

[Evelyne]

Hi Kerri,

Thank you for helping me with this! Great tips!  :yes

I want to try sculpting dolls, adult dolls. So I'm talking about faces, arms, torso, feet, legs... or maybe even a full doll.

I plan on using regular Fimo - my hands are usually very warm, and so is the weather here - , Cernit or even try some local brands (I live in Brazil). I've heard good things about Super Sculpey, but it's really hard to find here, or very expensive.

As for scale, 1:12.

[kpajutee]

Hi Evelyne -
Sculpting tools are very personal - so I would not want you to run out and purchase a bunch of different ones and end up not using them.  When I first started out, I used a darning needle, round toothpicks, and a DUNCAN ceramic bisque cleaning tool (with a blade on one end and a sort of curved blade on the other).  I believe that you can find a similar tool called the all-in-one on Jack Johnson's doll sculpture website.  Over the years I have fashioned my own tools as well as purchased all sorts of dental tools, polymer clay tools, and rubber-tipped tools.  I usually end up using 1-2 favorites over all the rest which are - a stainless dental spatula, Xacto knife, ball stylus, wire-loop tool and for final detail I carve with Rio Rondo Carbide Scrapers.

It will depend on what medium you are working in?  Are you thinking polymer clay?  What brand or firmness of the clay?  What is your subject, what scale and how detailed?  You may find that you can do most of your work with your hands and use a simple needle or toothpick for detail.

[Evelyne]

What tools would you recommend as a 'must have' for someone who is willing to start sculpting (like me)? Something like a 'starter's kit'.

What about those dentist's tools? Are they good for sculpting in miniature? Which ones? I discovered there are MANY different ones, and in different sizes too...

Thank you

[mindstorm]

Hi Linda,
 What you are asking about is called an "armature". there are many different types and most are made by the individual artist but if you would like to buy a commercially made one this company has them  http://www.sculpt.com/ they are called the compleat sculptor and have a huge variety of supplies for sculptors. I buy alot of my equipment from them.

[nickycc41]

Linda do you mean the brass sculltping rods? to hold a doll upright in a scene, if so morez more sell those buy two sizes one will fit inside the other, she also sells the cutters Depends on the size of yourr sculpt as to which size rods you use?

[Noemi Pascual]

The tool on that I comment can be bought by you here: http://www.tiranti.co.uk/product.asp?Content=M4+Hardwood+Modelling+Tool+%2D+Clay+Modelling+Tools+%2D+Modelling+Tools&Product=1086

[Noemi Pascual]

When I started sculpting I bought dental tools and did a toothpick with a rod of wood, but one day I found this web: http://www.tiranti.co.uk, and since then only I use a tool, this one: http://www.tiranti.co.uk/product_picture.asp?eipic=1086_M4.jpg

[LindaL]

Boy sorry about the sp, , my fingers are clayed out. Horizontal and then a vertical pole that comes out. The vertical is adjustable.

[LindaL]

Nooo.. I use different things to hang also. But.... even on this list I saw it somewhere and some one asked who made it. It also is on  Morezmore site, it's a thingy vertical pole and the a horizontal one that actually seems to go into the clat, I think it is then removed and clay patched. It also is adjustable for different size work. ??????

[sj]

Linda Lots of people use a mug tree and take of the rest of the arms for the cups...or a banana hanger...I have made my own out of wire and a wood base...does the trick nicely........ ;D

sj

[nickycc41]

Linda do you mean the tree from which you hang your armature or the actual armature itself?

[LindaL]

I have a question about a "tool". What is the thing called that supports the figure you are working on. It looks like it goes through the body. And how do you make it or where to buy it. I have searched but do not know what to call it. Thanks for any info.

[nickycc41]

ooohhh getting brave and ventured out of the doll thread for a change ... I make my own detailing tool ( a very fine needle set into a clay handle) and then use a 0 soft tipped rubber ended shaper from any art shop. Thats brilliant! then use a large darning needle set into a clay handle for poking the holes into the clay body parts and for sculpting the head on, and an exacto knife! hardly a huge range! I also use the odd cocktail stick and other things that are easily found around the house. At the end of the day find a tool that works for you and stick to it! Its not the tool that makes the biggest difference its practice and confidence  to even attempt things! 
xxx nicky

[kachookie]

I get dental tools from my dentist - he saves the broken ones for me (the ones with one side broken off).  I'm sure other dentists would be happy to get rid of theirs!

[Cath]

At artist supply stores I've seen sculpting tool kits but not sure if they would be too large for the miniature artisans to use.

[*marlene*]

Someone asked not to long back where to buy sculpting tools.

Is there such a thing as a "package" set of sculpting tools for dolls or miniatures?

[~ Carol ~]

I use 'normal' everyday clay shapers available at all good craft superstores and that unmentionable auction site : bamboo skewers, cocktail sticks, needles - anything you can poke into the clay basically ;D

Carol  ;)

[*marlene*]

Where do you buy sculpting tools? 
What tools do you use? 
Share pictures of your tools!