08.05.10 Toolin' Along, part I

For those of you who are just starting to sculpt in soft non-hardening clay, here's a tool that you can  use to your advantage in several ways --a serrated loop tool.  The little "teeth" on the cutting edge of the loop act as a rake or rasp to scrape off just a little bit of clay at a time. 

In addition to the fine control you have in removing clay, the grooves formed by this tool help you to visually define different areas of the sculpture -- in this case the semimembranosus, gracilis, semitendinosus, caudal biceps femorus and gastrocnemius muscles of the hindquarter.  Will these striations remain visible in the final sculpture?  No.  They are used at this stage as an analytical tool while the sculpture develops.  However, this tool can be re-employed later to suggest coat texture.

There are a variety of shapes and sizes of serrated loop tools made for sculptors, many of them are available through the Sculpture Depot.  This one, the #405, is relatively small at 7 inches long with a loop of only 5/16 inches across.

We'll be looking at other tools in future posts. In the meantime, what's the tool you find yourself reaching for most often?

08.04.10 Guest Sculpture in the Studio

Do you know how exciting it is to receive a box from Puerto Rico?  Huge.  Especially when it contains a lovely sculpture of a Paso Fino stallion!  Meet Dulce Sueño by Jo-Ann Ferré.

Jo-Ann says,

"He is a portrait model of a Paso Fino stallion born in 1927 in Guayama, Puerto Rico. It is a stallion that many local artists have painted because of his fame."

And because of his harmonious proportions and noble bearing which Jo-Ann captured beautifully in her sculpture.  It's been such a delight and privilege to have this sculpture in the studio while Barry molds and casts it in resin.  Barry just shipped the first batch of castings to Jo-Ann -- you might want to contact her about them if you love Paso Finos!