How to Make a Lifesize Figure Out of Clay
Making a life size figure out of clay is usually a project an experienced sculptor would undertake, but beginners should not be put off. Try a couple of small models to gain some experience if you want. A knowledge of the ratios that form the human body can help, but is not essential. After all, you can always measure your own body. Use metal wire and chicken wire to make an armature, or flexible frame, for your figure. Try experimenting with different types of clay.
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Things You'll Need
- Armature wire
- Chicken wire
- Clay
- Rolling pin
- Palette knife
- Sponge or cloth
Instructions
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Decide upon the pose of your life size figure before working with any material. A quick sketch will help you. Beginners will find that a seated figure, or one in repose, will make for the easiest to model in clay. This is because the figure's armature will be easier to construct and less likely to topple over.
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Construct a life-size armature for your figure using specialist armature wire. Start with a length of wire about twice the length of your leg and foot. Bend the armature wire back on itself in the middle and bend an approximate ankle to make foot section at either end. Now make two knee bends about halfway between the ankles and the middle bend. Loop another section of armature wire under the middle bend that extends away from the legs to form a backbone. It should be longer than the leg length, so that you can use it to reach to top of the head and bend it forwards in a curve to form the top of the skull and brow.
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Form shoulders around your figure's armature by wrapping a section of wire tightly around the backbone at the approximate shoulder height. Extend the wire from the backbone at either side at about 110 degrees for about 8 inches. Now bend it back on itself to form a rough triangle. From the tip of each side of the triangle wrap a new length of armature wire. Measure the length of each on your body from your shoulder to finger tip. Make two bends in the wire; one for the elbow, one for the wrist.
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Use any pliable wire mesh for your armature. Wrap sections of chicken wire around the central armature frame to flesh out the body and limbs. Use armature wire to form the fingers and toes of your lifesize figure. Make a rough ball shape from chicken wire and hook it on to the loop of wire you left to form the figure's skull and brow. Use small sections of armature wire to make rough nose and ears shapes. Fill out the neck if needed. The armature frame need not be perfectly formed, but all the body parts should be in proportion and posed in such a way that you can work on them easily.
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Roll out some modeling clay with a rolling pin to form sheets. Apply your sheets of modeling clay to the armature's torso, neck and limbs. Wrap them around the chicken wire and push them on to the frame sufficiently that they do not fall off. Wet the clay a little if the frame deforms under the pressure. Use solid, sausage shaped, lumps of clay to form the figure's fingers and toes. Now place a sheet of clay, with a V-shape cut into it, at the back of the figure's head. Wrap it around the armature's head with the "V" at the top. As you push it round the head, the "V" will close up. Do the same for the figure's face. Fill in any gaps in the clay with a join of wet clay. Use a palette knife to smooth over any joins.
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Add detail to your life size clay figure by adding clay and scraping away. Specialist clay modeling tools will help but a palette knife and your fingers will work well if you don't have them. Build up areas to form clothing, if your figure will be wearing them. Add clay to form hair and lips. Wet the clay and use a sponge or rough cloth in a dabbing motion to form different textures on the surface.
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Work on your lifesize clay figure close up so you can focus on the detail, but take a step back from time to time so you can assess the sculpture as a whole. Allow the clay to dry completely when you have finished.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember to view your armature and sculpture from different angles.
Light your figure in different ways as you work on it so you can see how shadows interact with your piece.
Once your clay figure is dry, it can be used to make a mold so copies can be made.
Don't add so much material to your armature that you cannot move the pose of the figure once you have begun adding clay.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Seiya Kawamoto/Digital Vision/Getty Images Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
