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ByToothAndClaw β Dragon Sculpting Tutorial
Published: 2013-02-02 23:57:14 +0000 UTC; Views: 52653; Favourites: 253; Downloads: 209
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Description
I have been meaning to do this for quite a while, so here it is finally: a tutorial for my dragons! Sorry about the varied lighting, I just snapped pictures as I went along. Because I couldn't fit a lot of text into the tutorial, I have a couple of things to say:1. blending the clay together is kind of a "petting" motion. The goal is to make it seamless and fingerprint free!
2. I suggest using an X-Acto blade to cut the clay. It works quite well.
3. In case you didn't know, Sculpey Premo Clay gets baked at 275 fahrenheit for 30 minutes.
4. I used Sculpey Gloss to make him shiny.
5. Using rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip is a great way to remove any dirt on the clay. But only use it when the sculpture is done, as it ruins the clay's ability to blend. (I suggest 91% rubbing alchohol).
6. Don't feel bad if you don't like your sculptures at first! It takes time and practice to get better.
7. As for tools, I mostly use my X-Acto blade, a dental pick, and my fingers.
If you use this tutorial to make a dragon, I would love to see it! Enjoy!
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Comments: 46
I have never tried to use clay before, so I have a question. I see that it is baked, but I am wondering how you stick on the eyes, toenails, scales etc... do you use glue for those little things? (sorry if that is a dumb question, but sense I have never used this medium, I am not sure how things are done)
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When you placed the eyes and spikes and arms on the dragon, did you do any blending or just stuck em on? I'm not familiar with glossy clay, so just looking at it it looks like the pieces would fall off without blending it together.
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Have you thought of using some beads in your dragons?
They have dragon scale beads now
They are brand new on the market.
There are also dentelle rhinestones (look like the diamond in an engagement ring), or rivoli crystals.
Dentelles come as small as 1 mm and the rivolis are usually about 6 mm or larger.
Spike beads or dagger beads might work as well.
Dragons do love gem stones, so they are good for around their feet or to hold in their claws.
Some people make dragons entirely out of beads.
I love looking at yours, so I thought I'd leave you a note about checking this out.
Please keep sculpting and posting your tutorials they are very, very, very inspiring.
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Dragon scale beads? I have to look in to that! Sorry for the (very) late response; I kind of forgot about Deviantart for a month. Whoops! College will do that to you. Thank you for all the suggestions! I love using beads and props for my dragons, and I'll definitely check out all of these.
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Your tutorial is very helpful, but I have two questions: how long or large must the aluminum foil?
Do you have to install the chains of the key holder before or after baking in the figure, you know?
I hope you understand my english!^^"
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Thanks for the questions! The aluminum foil can be whatever size you want it to be, but mine are usually about 3" long. And for key chains, you just have to put in the eyepin before baking, though you can also include the chain if you'd like; the metal will be fine in the oven. I hope this helps!
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All right, and my thanks go back, thank you for your explanation!
See you soon!^^
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What kind of clay do you use? That's never really mentioned.
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I use Scupey Premo Clay, I mentioned it's baking time on point 3. Sculpey is my favorite polymer brand. Thanks for asking!
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Thanks! I've been wanting to get into sculpting dragons and other mythical creatures.
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That's awesome! Go for it!
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this is extreeaaamly helpful, thank you very much for making this, i had been wanting to create my own dragon figures for a while, but out of clay, i thought sculpters just...made it without any base what so ever, i thought they just....sculpted it, and once again, thank you for making this! I will certainly try it out! I don't think it will be as awesome as the dragon's you make, but i can't wait to try!
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Thank you! I'm glad you find this so helpful. The tin foil base definitely helps a lot. I can't wait to see your dragon!Β
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i finished it (kind of, i am going to add little gems tommorow c: then paint it o3o i always had trouble of where to put the eyes, somehow you get them to fit should i say, or would you need to make a scrape outline for the eye? or just sculpt it. the little dragon looks a little like dragonite due to it's head c: but hopefully the clay wouldn't be too dry tommorow, because if it is, it would be tough to add the gems D: i tried a the first attempt of a dragon, (didn't have the foil spine and just pictured it) and the legs were rather squashed together, so i think the one i just did does look better :3
sorry for the long paragraph ^^ i have been wanting to create models for a while, now i will practice and practice until i get better :3
One last question, how would you go about making markings with clay? as in scraping markings in it, as when i do it it usually has clay inside of the marking i made. (i can give a little picture of what i mean if you do not understand, my explaining of things can be terrible.) Thank you so much for making this ^^
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Yay! I can't wait to see it! For the eyes, I make little indents and then put the eyes in. Are you using air dry clay? I used polymer clay in the tutorial, so I'm not sure how you would go about scraping markings in. I would just use a sharp blade or pick, carve in the detail and then use compressed air to blow out all the scrapings.
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Yep, i am using air dry clay to make the model, i hope once i have added the details today it would look awesome c: i do not have any actual "gem stones" though, maybe theres a way to make the clay once painted to look crystal like? I dunked the dragon underwater this morning, so that it wouldn't dry up when i get back, hopefully i can still model with it.
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hmm, like make a small carving so the eye goes in a little, then make the eye itself? sounds like a good idea :3 i'm sure we would have some toothpicks of some sort, orΒ a sharp knife, as for compressed air, i may need to buy some when i get the chance, or make my own if that is possible.
You're dragon's look simply adorable! Oh one last question, my brushes which i use to paint with, they aren't very good with adding veery small detail, as the bristles kinda ruin the way i wish to paint it, would you reccomend using something else? (terribly sorry about all the questions)
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That's awesome! No need to apologize, I love chatting with fellow artists. Hmm... For tiny details, I either use a precision brush (only a few bristles on it), a toothpick or a sharp tool. Thank you!
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alright ^^ i will try using a toothpick, luckily i haven't quite started with the editing yet, i am not sure where to put the gems X3 *goes to take a quick photo of it and le uploads to stash*Β sta.sh/0z53bxa0ucz The wing that is shown which has the marking on, doesn't have it on the other, hopefully i can still add it on when i go to make some changes :3
this is what it looks like so far, back legs are rather squished, but hey, you learn from your mistakes :3 i still wanna add gems coming from the tail and a tail end, that looks like crystals are coming from it. I had it resting in water so the model wouldn't dry up which is why it's very shiny :3
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I love it, the pose is so cute! Gems would definitely look awesome. I can't wait to see it finished. Rock on!
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thank you! -run to the shop to buy some clay and try this out-
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Haha! You're welcome!
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I just did this and gave it to my mom.
she loved it!
I didn't use colored clay I just painted it.
Thanks!
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That's awesome! Could you post a pic? I would love to see it.
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sure! I just have to wait a few days for it to dry.
I lovfe your art!
Check out *DragonsAndBeasties
They do a lot of art like you!
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Awesome! Thank you! I love DragonsAndBeasties! She's an amazing sculptor!
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Please do! I'd love to see it.
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Thank you! I'm glad I could help.
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Must.... make.... adorable... dragon... sculpture....
But I don't have colored clay. I'll have to buy some when I have money.
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Haha! I hope you have fun!
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I probably will. It'll probably have cogs on it or something, because I always wanted a steampunk dragon.
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That woud be adorable!
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Awesome! When you're done let me see, I love seeing other people's dragons.
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