Basic (Really, really basic) Sculpting tips

Telchar · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2012 6:46 pm

So, I've got some greenstuff, and now I try to sculpt a simple bit of cloth on my Wood Elf Cavalry (connecting the wood elf body with the Rohirrim legs), and it looks like... green stuff smeared across a model at random. :sad:

Could someone give some basic tips as how to realistically form cloth (and anything else) using Green Stuff?

SidTheSloth · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:04 pm

Congrats on getting some green stuff

hmm...
1. keep your tools wet - this helps to keep the GS from sticking to something you don't want it to stick to
2. get the right tools (if you're willing to pay) - new tools are not essesial but for cloth i find a silicon clay shaper (@UKFB:

) really helpful
3. be very, very patient - numerous times i have accidently squished a nice piece of work because ive been too impatient to wait for it to dry properly

some helpful stuff here: http://www.thelastalliance.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=5151

have you got any pictures so we can C&C ( and see :lol:

)
i hope this helps

Beowulf03809 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:08 pm

There are some amazing sculptors around here that will give very good advice. The most basic I can say though is to work in layers. Put down enough to get the basic shape you are after without actually going all the way to the final surface. Let it dry completely. Now go back and add a little bit on top of that, smooth it and texture. This layer should be pretty thin and easy to work with. Keep your tools wet (and fingers if you have to touch it bear handed) to avoid the troublesome fingerprints. Take your time. Super fine grain sand paper and files help a lot too.

Trying to separate the 'rough shape' from the 'surface' can help a lot when it comes to tasks like this.

Telchar · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2012 4:33 pm

OK, I'll let you all gloat over my failure :-D

:

MOM Legolas+RoR+High elf sword bit (now broken off):

Wood Elf+RoR

Beowulf03809 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:28 pm

It's hard to see the details with the blur as I'm sure you understand.

One thing I will say on the bottom pic though is it looks like you might have a little too much torso still on the Wood Elf. A different angle would help in addition to pulling the camera back a bit to allow it to focus better.

Ukfreddybear · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2012 10:51 pm

Both Sid and Beowulf offer good advice. Start with a base layer and allow it to set. Once dry, skin over with your detail layer and push the putty really thin as it meets the original mini. This is called blending, and is best done when the putty is soft shortly after you've mixed it. If you leave it too long, the putty will begin to set and it will be much more difficult to spread it thinly. For realistic cloth invest in some small silicone clay shapers. The flexing of the rubber tips allow for softer lines and more realistic folds. Have you checked out the Tomes of Wisdom on this site for Sculpting articles?

http://www.one-ring.co.uk/kb.php?c=3

there are also some useful tutorial links in this thread for beginners:

http://www.one-ring.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=17239

Beowulf03809 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2012 12:51 pm

Good point on the silicone tools. Mine are metal (greenware / clay tools for the most part) and it really is a trick avoiding the unrealistic edges they can leave. I keep meaning to pick up something more appropriate...

Telchar · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2012 3:58 pm

Sorry for the blurs, though it may say something that I didn't notice it...

Where does one get these silicone tools?

SidTheSloth · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:01 pm

so far i am finding these to be very good:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Colour-Shaper-Black-Tip-Clay/dp/B0043GWDQ6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1348675249&sr=8-2

make sure you get a size 0

Ukfreddybear · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2012 6:04 pm

Thats a good price and a nice variety too.

Basic (Really, really basic) Sculpting tips

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