Sculpting for Beginners: Everything You Should Know Before You Sculpt

Lateet February 24, 2019

People have crafted sculptures for literally thousands of years. In fact, historians estimate this to be the oldest form of art.

So, if you want to give this a try, you’ll need a few ‘sculpting for beginners’ pointers. Luckily for you, this article should point you in the right direction.

Let’s dive in!

Different Sculpture Materials

Model Magic

Made by Crayola, it’s both a non-toxic and cost-effective material to sculpt with. Just carve your creation and allow it to air dry- it really is as simple as that!

So, it’s excellent for novice sculptors. Plus, it doesn’t create a lot of mess or set you back too much money- win-win!

It’s also ideal if you want to paint your creation with water-based paints.

Plasticine Clay

This is a colored and oil-based clay.

One of the best things about plasticine clay is that it doesn’t dry out. So, you’ll have ample time to perfect your creation.

However, it’s much pricier than some of the other materials listed here. This is especially true if you’re creating a more prominent sculpture. However, if you’re crafting something smaller, plasticine might be just the ticket.

Air Dry Clay

There are tons of companies selling air dry “clay.” However, these vary massively in terms of price and quality. If you’re taking sculpting more seriously, use AMACO Marblex Self-Hardening clay.

This is relatively inexpensive, and when done well, you’ll create pretty professional-looking results.

Polymer Clay

This is also known as PVC. You’ll need to add a drop of water to make it pliable enough to shape. You can then add pigment to the clay to transform its color.

However, this clay’s on the tricker side to work with, but you know what they say- practice makes perfect. The more you give it a go, the easier it becomes.

You’ll also need to bake this clay in the oven to set the shape.

You should note: If you’re on the weaker side, you might struggle to manipulate the material. So, it’s not ideal for children

This kind of clay is usually best for crafting smaller jewelry pieces. However, it’s incredibly expensive- so, depending on your funds, you’ll be limited to miniature sculptures.

Soap Sculpture

This is amazing for carving. Plus it’s safe, inexpensive, and incredibly clean- what’s not to love?!

You can use a dull blade to craft your project and still create beautiful detailing.

Home Made Play Dough

It’s warm, squishy, and you can turn it into any color you want. Not to mention, it’s super easy to make and non-toxic. However, it almost goes without saying, you shouldn’t expect professional results with this medium.

There are tons of recipes online, so have fun experimenting with these materials and see which works best for you.

Balsa Wood

This wood is incredibly soft, making it pliable and easy to carve. You can find it in almost any art store, so it’s not hard to source. However, if you need extensive sections of wood, you may need to order something special.

Plaster of Paris

You can find this in virtually any art store, so its simple to find. Plus, it’s inexpensive to purchase, and easy to mix.

Once you’ve finished combining the mixture, pour it into an empty carton. Then peel the paper after it’s set, and create your sculpture.

You can use sandpaper to remove the plaster which should then reveal your sculpture underneath. Use a semi-rigid coating to create a plastic waterproof surface.

This shouldn’t chip, and you can sand it down to create the finish you’re envisioning. You can also mix a color pigment into the spray to create your desired aesthetic. For more info on this, read more here.

How to Use Water-Based Clay

If you’re using water-based clay, heed the below advice:

1. Have a Clear Idea of Your Final Piece

This may sound obvious, but you need to envision what your final sculpture will look like. So, sketch the design and include dimensions of all the main shapes you want to incorporate — that’s in addition to working out the critical ratios between all the lengths.

2. Test for Wetness

Dry clay is difficult to work with, so you’ll need to test whether its wet enough to use. Take a tiny piece of clay and gently roll it into a 1cm-wide cylinder so that it’s roughly 10cm long.

Now bend the cylinder, and if it’s smooth, it’s good to go. Whereas, if it cracks, you’ll need to add more water- simple right?

3. Build Forms

If you don’t have a potter’s wheel, there are several ways to build forms. For example, coils of clay are excellent for creating the sides of a hollow sculpture. Alternatively, if you want to craft a recess, you can pinch the clay with your thumb and forefinger.

However, you should avoid protruding shapes at all costs. You might be tempted to do this after seeing the work of more advanced sculptors, yet it’s usually better to work with more contained shapes- just to begin with.

Then once you’re more experienced you’re more likely to have success with advanced shapes.