Favorite Sculpting links

by | Apr 17, 2011 | Dolls, Links, OOAK Clay Baby, Reborning, Sculpting

I have had a lot of lovely people make wonderful comments about my babies on ebay recently. 🙂 It makes me feel so happy and tingle inside- that people like my work. It makes me happy to be able to make some money doing this. I really love it.  Making clay babies keeps me SANE!

I have also had just as many newbies to sculptors ask me where I learned to sculpt.  Well, from a LOT of webbrowsing.  I am bedridden, so I spend a LOT of time on the internet.  Today I am going to share some of my favorite sculpting links out there on the webniverse.

Well known sculpting/reborning shop: Hunnybuns Nursery also has a WONDERFUL sculpting tutorial on full size babies, armature, AND an 8 inch baby.  She goes into detail about applying hair, which tools she uses etc. One of the most helpful ones out there- for sure.

http://hunnybunsnursery.com/SculptingTutorials/tutorialpg1Michael.htm

She has an equally as important  “Basic Reborning Tips” that I use for a GENESIS painting tutorial.  It’s about mixing your own colors so you don’t have to spend so much money buying premade shades. 🙂  Use a mini version on your clay babies to make them much more realistic!  It’s worth the time invested as it shows through your work.

http://www.hunnybunsrebornsupply.com/_basic_reborning_tips_using_genesis_heatset_paints_

Trulysweetdolls has a cute tutorial on creating an adorable mini baby 2 inches long!! So sweet and tiny! It’s a full sculpt.   You can apply the way she makes her babies on a bigger full sculpt baby if you wish! Possibilities are endless!

http://trulysweetdolls.com/OOAKMiniBabySculptingTutorial.html

Doll Annex has quite a few mini tutorials. From making mini baby heads, full size baby head, wigging and wing tutorials, doll onesie patterns, MOST IMPORTANTLY: BABY PROPORTIONS INFO!!  I can’t reiterate how important baby proportions are for a real looking baby.

http://dollgarden0.tripod.com/doll/dollmain.htm

As for some tips from me:

I am a beginner as well, but I think it will be fun to learn with one another!  If you are just starting as well, feel free to say hi and ask questions!!  We are all learning and it’s fun to learn from a group.

  • Don’t bake your sculpt the first chance you get.  Walk away and return with “fresh eyes” later on. You’ll see things differently.
  • If you wish to sculpt a realistic baby, study baby photos dilligently. Sculpt from that photo.  Don’t be afraid to start! If the sculpt doesn’t work out, you can always SQUISH. START AGAIN!
  • Go to google images and type in “newborn infants” or whichever age of babies you like best.  Save some images on your  computer to study from.
  • I think it was Patricia Rose who said that “fingers aren’t square.-  It’s the difference between a top sculptor and a mediocre one”.  That really resonates within me.  I don’t rush babies to sell asap.  I spend time with them- fix them and mold them until I am completely happy with my work.   I think it will show as such in my finished sculpts.
  • Finally, to be an expert at anything takes time and determination.  However- if you don’t make it fun, it’s not worth it.  If you like your first sculpt- bake it! Keep it for yourself.   Have fun learning how to sculpt.  If it ever gets frustrating (and it will) walk away and come back later!
  • Don’t buy a ton of sculpting tools it’s such a waste of money.  A set of clayshapers in the right size, and some household ones is all I use.  The more money you spend on tools doesn’t make you a better sculptor.  Trial and error does! 🙂
  • Again, I am a new sculptor just like you.  We can all learn together. Feel free to comment with your questions and I’ll try to get back to them asap.  I hope to have some tutorials on every aspect of baby doll making on this blog as well.   I truly believe in sharing knowledge.  It’s how we all learn and improve from each other!!

Also visit the sculptors forum at doll-fan– Tons of tutorials and techniques by  SUPER talented artists!! You will be amazed.  There is a charge of $12 per $6 months to POST on there, but NO CHARGE TO BROWSE AND READ.   If you are serious about sculpting and like the forum I would join.  BUT I suggest to first peruse around and see if you like the forum!!  I am cheap and like to save money.  🙂

Enjoy the links!
-Jennie