Best products from r/Sculpture

A tool kit sounds like a great gift - I think many artists shamelessly stockpile tools. A learning book might be good, but they do vary in quality and also make sure you get a book that's correct for the type of things she wants to do. If you choose a good one, it could serve as a reference for years. One thing you didn't think of is a book of inspiration. I've found a lot of value in collections of artwork related to topics I'm interested in. For example, I was given 500 Animals in Clay and I love just looking through it. Maybe you can find an ocean or ocean creature related art book if your friend likes octopi. Good luck!

Here comes a wall of text so brace yourselves.

First, stone carving is awesome, it is what I do and it is like an addiction. No better material to sculpt with IMHO. There is something to be said from learning autodidactically (I was originally self taught but have done some formal training), but you also don't need to waste time re-inventing the wheel. So do some research, but don't be afraid to break the "rules as you get a feel for things.

Soap stone carving is very different from other stone, as the tools and techniques are completely different. I started with limestone, and now work in Marble and Granite. Be fore warned, unless you have a quarry nearby, soapstone is very expensive($2-$3/lbs). If you decide you like carving after a couple of test sculptures in soapstone, I suggest that you find out what is quarried in your area, and see about getting material from the scrap pile (often way cheaper for material).

The set you have will give you a basic ability to work on very soft stone. I would need to see a better picture of the blunt end of the tool but it is likely either for burnishing(rubbing) or possibly for cutting rounded grooves(a rondel chisel but I am not sure)

If you plan to do any detail work, then you will likely want to use a rotary tool(Dremel or similar) to speed the process.

The book suggested by Artistic programmer is likely a decent choice, Milt Liebson also has a video by the same name(I think) that was available from my public library(VHS) check that out.

Liebson is a direct carver, this means he usually starts a sculpture with little to no pre-design this works for some, not for others. Classically, sculptors would build clay or plaster maquettes(models) and then work the design into the stone. Personally, I do a little of both types of carving, often starting with a nebulous image, and refining it based on what I find in the stone.

I would also recommend the following books:

Sculpture in Stone

Contemporary Stone Sculpture

Last but not least for the love of all that you hold dear be concious of the health hazards!!! Wear a dust mask, some stones contain asbestos, or silica or other harmful minerals. work in a well ventilated space, and wear safety goggles.

TL:DR Carving is awesome, check the books, break the rules and WEAR THE DAMN SAFETY EQUIPMENT!!!

I think anatomy is the single biggest thing that will give you the most bang for your buck. Understanding the basic skeletal shapes, muscles and tendons, even to an extent the surface-level veins can help.

Also, one exercise I stumbled upon accidently that I found very helpful, and yes, it seems strange... but sculpt on top of other things. I figured this out from Halloween. I have a lifecast of my head, and to make a mask, you have to sculpt on top of it. Strangely, after having done this a few times now, I realized I learned a lot doing that. You start with a thin layer of clay on top as it is, which helps you get a feel for basic shapes and proportions. But then, trying to add to that, exaggerate shapes, it teaches you how everything relates.. the spacing of eyes, the shape of ears.

Then, start practicing on just parts. Work on eyes for a while. Work on lips, and noses. Etc. You nail those, and then put those to use with the proportion/angle practice you have from before.

Check angles, too. Just like with painting and drawing, step back, look at it from different angles, squint your eyes. Take a break and walk away before looking at it again. Heck, sometimes, even sleep on it and look at it fresh the next day. I find it easy to get the head on look you want, but then find you don't like the profile, or the 3/4 view. If you don't have a turn table, get one. They are awesome! I use a cheap Wilton cake turn table, actually.

Finally, a few links I like:



Love these videos by Philipe Faraut

https://youtu.be/OZOwUgyoEy0



His website:
https://philippefaraut.com/pages/video-clips



Interactive Anatomy:

https://www.zygotebody.com/



I've watched a lot of Stan Winston school stuff, too, and got a lot out of them:

Human Head Anatomy & Sculpture https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DOPWN52/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_K3hVDbYQGB01Z



They have a subscription model, too:

https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/tutorials

When I started stonecarving I began with a pretty cheap generic chisel set like this (hopefully amazon link works here) as well as a similar multi-set of rasps of different shapes. That was over 10 years ago and I still use some of them today. I think perhaps one of those kits you linked as well as an under $20 chisel set of different sizes/shapes (some double sided, some flat on top to allow hammering) would be good to let you more easily get smaller details, and to have extras if one of them breaks or chips.

I don't live on the west coast so unfortunately I can't provide locations for stone but soapstone is definitely the way to start. Other tools that you may have around that could be helpful are a hand drill and a small saw (I use a saw that is part of a leatherman style multi-tool) and a towel to work on so you don't get stone powder everywhere if doing it indoors.

Also, some art/craftsman stores sell solid blocks of clear paraffin wax for cheap. I found that grating that wax onto a finished, sanded stone piece and then using a heat gun or hair dryer to melt the wax into the stone provides a very cheap, durable finish to soapstone carvings that I liked better than using the oily "liquid wax" bottled sealers that require multiple coats and sometimes still end up looking dry. It shows the color and pattern of the stone very well. It has to get hot enough to completely melt the wax into the stone (so the wax is a totally clear layer) and then blot away any excess with a rag or paper towel. I've had pieces still look new years later using that technique and it was much cheaper and faster than using oils or room temperature liquid wax mixtures.

Definitely look into some tools!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ED3JMS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_HKwmzbFWHSVPK

These are perfect start, especially for polymer clay

I'm guessing you're using super sculpey, right?
Imo, that stuff gets a bit too sticky and it's quite hard to use for detailing.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026C1T8C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_vPwmzb724M0JK

This stuff is great, soft but won't stick to your hands. (Won't have to deal with leaving as much finger prints)

Since you're new to this I suggest really just making hard shapes and just playing with it, instead of trying to make perfect products right off the bat.
Good luck!

I would recommend some sort of paperclay such as La Doll or Premier. Although it is rather pricey, it is super easy to work with and is easy to keep workable if you keep it wetted down and covered thoroughly. It also has a similar feel to ceramic clay, which I appreciate. When paperclay dries out it is super hard and can be sanded smooth.

That’s Sculpture Geek’s video, he uses NSP hard. At a certain point he rakes the clay and little pieces fall off. If the clay isn’t hard enough you can’t rake it. I don’t think any clay smells so strong it would leave an odor on fabrics. Roma smells the worst, like sulfur, but it’s probably the closest thing to water based clay. I love working with it but really dislike the sulfur smell. My recommendation is super sculpey. It will always stay workable and if you want to finalize a piece you can bake it in an oven. I’d get the original or medium. Here is a mat you can use. https://www.amazon.com/DAFA-Professional-Self-Healing-Double-Sided-Compatible/dp/B00P6KPKBI/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=cutting+mat+craft&qid=1558533396&s=gateway&sr=8-5

Here is a set of tools https://www.amazon.com/Vktech-Sculpture-Pottery-Sharpen-Modeling/dp/B00CHH1P9E/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?keywords=sculpting+tools+wood&qid=1558534139&s=gateway&sr=8-11

You can sand down and customize the tools as you like. You can also watch live sculpting on Twitch. https://www.twitch.tv/cnotbusch He’s there almost every day.

Yours is a technical question. I don't about online tutorials, but I can recommend the excellent book titled Sculpture as Experience. It will give you a strong foundation of different sculptural materials and methods.

If I'm ever in doubt about weird chemical reactions I use that red double-sided super sticky tape Its super strong and permanent. If you heat it first the bond is REALLY strong

Umm I found some in Amazon that looked like I could just rap them around the wire in a spiral till they look even what do you think : Extra Long 52ft 300led Starry String Lights Warm White on a Flexible Copper Wire https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014ZXTWOW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_vhaMxb6GB8E9H

Thanks for the help

JB High Heat I've used JB Weld and JB Kwik a lot, but I haven't tried JB High Heat. The cure time is slow enough that you'd need to clip or support the metal strips in place somehow, but it will easily withstand the temperature. JB Kwik cures fast enough that you could probably hold the pieces in place while it sets up, but 300 is the upper limit of its temperature tolerance from what I've read.

original super sculpey

http://www.amazon.com/Sculpey-Super-Sculpturing-Compound-Beige/dp/B0026C1T8C

https://www.amazon.com/Modeling-Head-Clay-Creative-Techniques/dp/0823030997/ref=sr_1_2?crid=20S7PAQKU2X4T&keywords=bruno+lucchesi&qid=1562677613&s=gateway&sprefix=bruno+luc%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-2


Bruno Luchessi... I have both the head and figure books.. Best anatomy books I've seen.

You can model in Sculpey with an aluminum wire armature, separate arms, legs and similar pieces then make small keys and keyholes using epoxy putty. Then you can mold each part separately in silicone, cast into them using epoxy resin or similar polyester material. It is actually a very involved and time consuming process. Please check out this book and similar to have a better idea.

https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Sculpture-Figures-Collectible-Statues/dp/0823095223

here is a great book on sculpting figs

Try Super Sculpey: http://www.amazon.com/Sculpey-Super-Sculpturing-Compound-Beige/dp/B0026C1T8C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419852457&sr=8-1&keywords=super+sculpey

some good books you can use for figurative sculpting:
https://www.amazon.com/Portrait-Sculpting-Anatomy-Expressions-Clay/dp/0975506501/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540671406&sr=8-1&keywords=phillipe+faraut

https://www.amazon.com/Clay-Bronze-Studio-Figurative-Sculpture/dp/0823006387/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540671453&sr=8-1&keywords=tuck+langland

https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Sculpting-Characters-Clay/dp/1909414409/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1540671519&sr=1-4&keywords=figure+sculpting