Sculpting a Human Skull in Clay

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Sculpting a Human Skull in Clay_part-1

Рет қаралды 249,289

13 жыл бұрын

Last time, my first Skull sculpting was a 2" clay sculpture of a Skull that I held in my hand all the time I worked on it. The clay stayed soft due to the warmth of my hands and it was hard to work on and add details.
With this second Skull sculpture, I'm using PVC pipes as Armature that is mounted on a wooden base and I'm making it a bit larger this time.

Пікірлер: 201

@Raisonneart 11 жыл бұрын

I've been watching sculpture in clay videos for a long long time and believe me, this(these) are some of the best of all. Thank you 3DworlD2 for sharing your work.

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comments and suggestions! That is a great idea! I started to use foam as filler to conserve on clay and reduce weight. Love to see your sculpture when it's done.

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

When I first wanted to sculpt, I started to watch a lot of sculpting videos that were available on the Internet, particularly KZfaq! Then I started to buy books about drawing, sculpting and buy tutorial DVDs that artist had made. I even bought Computer programs that helped me learn to sculpt, like ZBrush, Blender etc. Meanwhile I was sculpting with wax candles, Bread dough, and modeling clay. Just get started and don't wait. :)

@Rostas 10 жыл бұрын

You're amazing man. Love your videos! Very helpful and entertaining.

@mathematics5351 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing .... you are the first sculptor who work systematically in your videos....and uploping video step by step....😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

@Liberty_Valance 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 😀

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

I had people actually thanking me for not putting any music on my videos!

@annasdolls1 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Your way to sculpt is what i need, Thank you.

@HumbleVoyager 13 жыл бұрын

Great work. I can't wait to see it finished.

@DrummerElliott 11 жыл бұрын

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Wow, my comment is OLD. Crazy how time just flies by.

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

@DocWyldeCard Thanks for your encouraging words! I just love to sculpt and draw. I recently started oil painting. I'll make mistakes and I learn from my mistakes. :)

@nikolasdemetriou9922 9 жыл бұрын

I want to do a replica of that to use it for halloween even if in cyprus there is no such thing, i do celebrate it... Nice job and very well done Keep up the good work

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

My very first clay sculptures were very primitive, but as time passed and I did more and more, they got better. Clay is forgiving. Wood is hard to carve and one cannot correct the flaws. Give it a try! :)

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comments! Sorry for the late reply. You know wat they say, practice makes perfect. I'm not there yet, but I will keep trying. I recommend oil based clay to start with. They will not dry out. There are many brands and soft or hardness. I think this particular one was made from J-Mac Clay. A 10 lb slab cost around $33.00

@Liberty_Valance 13 жыл бұрын

@alexlozaartist Thank you! I didn't measure it, but I would say about 1/2 actual size. The PVC pipes are 1/2".

@Liberty_Valance 12 жыл бұрын

Thank you! My sculptures were made either with air dry clay or oil based clay. Neither of them go in the kiln. I have seen videos on the KZfaq showing how to fre bake able clay. The short of it is to have no air bubbles in the clay, howlow out the clay with no more than 1" thickness and using a tool like fork on the inside of the sculpture to poke indentation then fire it.

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you! That thought has occurred to me as well. Yes, it is posible to carve out the clay from a block. I wasn't able to fined the video I saw on the KZfaq long time ago, but I have seen a very skilled sculptor do that.

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

You are welcome! Looks like you knew what to do! :) Thank you for your comments! Would love to see your hard work.

@Liberty_Valance 13 жыл бұрын

@lowriderdaniel Thank you! I'm using an oil based clay. It will never dry.

@str3123 11 жыл бұрын

Wow! Fantastic!

@kereiamamdouh897 2 жыл бұрын

Can I just say that I have a project in college and you have just saved me with all your skeleton and skull videos thank u very much 💖💖💖

@Liberty_Valance 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comments. I’m glad the videos were helpful. Cheers

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comments! I'm sorry for the late reply. Great idea, but unfortunately I don't have the time.

@Liberty_Valance 9 жыл бұрын

Nikolas Demetriou Thank you for your comments! :)

@Molekularvernichter 11 жыл бұрын

Excellent Work!!!

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

lol... I did what you suggested and I really enjoyed watching the sculpting and listening to the song. Thanks for the heds up! :)

@linneabeckman6543 7 жыл бұрын

That was fun : ), on to part 2. Great video.

@Liberty_Valance 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@Liberty_Valance 13 жыл бұрын

@DrummerElliott I don't know. I feel like Cinderfella. I appreciate your kind words!

@GatorArtGal 11 жыл бұрын

Another way to solve the weight problem (front heavy) I made a small satchel out of some scrap cloth and filled it with BB's, sewed it closed. works great and reusable!! BTW thanks for this video. working "along" with you. so far so good.

@tinglesrosyrupeeland 11 жыл бұрын

Very impressive!

@Liberty_Valance 12 жыл бұрын

@cstrikemaan I don't remember exactly, but it took several hours to this point. Usually the sketching part goes pretty quick. As the details are added, works get slower and take many days and several hours a day.

@Liberty_Valance 12 жыл бұрын

If you are gentle with the sculpture. The glue only gives it a slight protection against accidental rub off. the clay under the glue is still soft.

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

I don't remember the clay I used, but it was very similar to J-Mac Clay. It is an oil based clay that will stay soft and will not dry out. I think Amazon has the J-Mac Clay and it was a very good price for it, less than $4.00 a pond!

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

There are several clay consistency available; soft, medium, hard and extra hard. There are also special sculpting wax that are very hard and can be carved and if need be the wax can be melted or softened to add to sculpture.

@Liberty_Valance 13 жыл бұрын

@clayguy1 Thanks. Yes, I will eventually add flesh to it.

@robertyada 13 жыл бұрын

Amazing!

@dillxdough 8 жыл бұрын

That is so clever keeping the clay warm, ugh I feel so dumb I didn't think of a basking lamp!

@Liberty_Valance 8 жыл бұрын

lol... I think I saw this method on KZfaq myself. I just love KZfaq! :)

@Liberty_Valance 13 жыл бұрын

@HumbleVoyager Thank you!

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

If you are going to use an oil based clay which stays soft for ever and is not fired, you can use any material for armature. For example: wood, cardboard, aluminum foil, paper, wires, pvc pipes or anything that holds shape. for more detailed sculpting I would recommend harder clay consistency. Lately I have been using Roma Plasilina #2. They also have harder and hardest #3 and #4.

@simplelee92 10 жыл бұрын

Man, thats inspiring.

@Liberty_Valance 10 жыл бұрын

Thank you! :)

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you! That is a great idea! :)

@mikeakaport 7 жыл бұрын

loved the video. any advice for an up and coming sculptor? was this process done by a specific style of sculpting?

@Liberty_Valance 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Use references either 3D or 2D images when you sculpt. Watch videos of sculpting others have done. I have many sculpting videos on my Channel that might help you. Try to sculpt every day if you can.

@Sylviaknowles 12 жыл бұрын

Very helpful. Im doing a project for halloween. Thank you for posting

@AlexLoza 13 жыл бұрын

Awesome work!!! Is this a 1/3, 1/2 scale or life size skull? What size are the PVC pipes?

@clayguy1 13 жыл бұрын

Very cool.. are you going to add flesh?

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

You are absolutely right! :)

@Liberty_Valance 13 жыл бұрын

@Sukomoto00 KZfaq videos have an Embed feature, feel free to use it in your forum.

@Liberty_Valance 12 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I'm glad it was helpful. :)

@DocWyldeCard 11 жыл бұрын

By the Emerald Eyes of Lady Luck! That is truly incredible. Where'd you learn to do this?

@126shyhinata 12 жыл бұрын

can you give some advise for not making it explode in a kiln btw u r amazing

@Liberty_Valance 12 жыл бұрын

@KustomFu Yes! lol. Some parts were sped up even more!

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

lol... That's cool! :)

@sickly666 11 жыл бұрын

Hi. Trying to learn to sculpt. Got any tips/tricks/advice?

@anoldretiredelephant 9 жыл бұрын

Awesome!

@Liberty_Valance 9 жыл бұрын

Thank you! :)

@cdhouder 11 жыл бұрын

Ok thanks! I put a moist towel over it it worked a bit as well but i think a plastic bag is better hehe. I finished the skull today and it doesn't look as good as yours but I like it ! Thanks for the vid :)

@zolmecb 11 жыл бұрын

what clay would you recommend?

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comments! I'm sorry for the late reply. Think of sculpting as drawing in space. Set your lights to create shadows on your sculpture. don't flood the sculpture with lights from every direction. Using your skills of drawing create different values of shade on the sculpture by adding or subtracting clay from the sculpture.

@Liberty_Valance 13 жыл бұрын

@robertyada Thank you!

@DrummerElliott 13 жыл бұрын

I don't get it... How come you don't have (at least!) thousands of views? Your sculptures are amazing!!

@webadage 4 жыл бұрын

Nice! This is the first of your videos I've watched and I'm very impressed. I'm sure you tell this information somewhere but... what kind of clay are you working with?

@Liberty_Valance 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I think it was "J-Mac Clay" it is an oil based clay.

@Liberty_Valance 12 жыл бұрын

@cstrikemaan I think I sculpted this one using J-Mac Classic Clay.

@artsculpture1024 7 жыл бұрын

I am studying skulls now and making various sizes. I am creating molds, casting them and attaching them to my van, a new project.

@Liberty_Valance 7 жыл бұрын

Sounds interesting!

@Liberty_Valance 12 жыл бұрын

That would be interesting to see! :)

@mathematics5351 3 жыл бұрын

You are systematic sculptor.

@lowriderdaniel 13 жыл бұрын

what material do you use for your sculping? I have a material but after 10 minutes, i can´t work again with this material. Awesome work :)

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you! :)

@cdhouder 11 жыл бұрын

Hello! I'm trying to sculpt a skull as well with this vid for a reference :) It is the first time though that I sculpt something.. i've been busy for 2 hours now but I feel like i've done enough for today. Do you know how I could store my project the best way so I can continue tomorrow? =\ Thanks! :D

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

I guess you need to make some sort of hinge and sculpt the lower jaw separately to attach it to the upper part.

@mebbhosaletanayvijay7115 6 жыл бұрын

Nice video sir it is amazing

@Liberty_Valance 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

Thank You! :)

@kevingibranr3365 8 жыл бұрын

how many kilograms of clay did you use for this skull? your sculpture and painting works was fantastic.

@Liberty_Valance 8 жыл бұрын

+Kevin Gibran Royhan Thank you for your comments! I think it was about 4 lbs.

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

You are welcome! :) Cheers!

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you! :)3

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

I'm using an oil based clay that stays soft for a long long time. you can do a search on internet for Skull models like this website "shopanatomical".

@Horis573 12 жыл бұрын

nice use of the black back round

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

I would recommend J-Mac Clay. I have seen it at Amazon at a very good price.

@Liberty_Valance 12 жыл бұрын

@Horis573 Yeah, I thought less distraction in the background would help consentrating on the sculpting. :)

@miggitymaan 12 жыл бұрын

what kind of clay do you use? van aaken?

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

I'm using an oil based clay that stays soft for a long long time. you can do a search on internet for Skull models like this website shopanatomical .

@annielovescats6813 11 жыл бұрын

Have any tips for how to make it open and close ?

@guillan84 9 жыл бұрын

Amazing

@Liberty_Valance 9 жыл бұрын

Thank you! :)

@felivanz 11 жыл бұрын

you should do a video of the entire modeling (all parts) in one at ultra speed

@thenunujournals 8 жыл бұрын

Do you bake them? If so does the inner plastic melt?

@Liberty_Valance 8 жыл бұрын

This is an oil based clay and it is not baked. It stays soft always.

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

Sculpt the lower jaw separately use 2 eye screws inserted in each side of the upper jaw, then insert a piece of wire that is bent in a L shape into each side of the lower jaw with half of the L buried in the clay an the other half exposed. Insert the exposed ends of the L shape wires into each eye screws you had in the upper jaw.

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks! :)

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

The half inch PVC pipe has a 21 mm outside diameter and the 45 degree PVC has a 28 mm outside diameter.

@vois 11 жыл бұрын

With the 45 degree pvc pipe, what diameter is it in mm? thanks

@annielovescats6813 11 жыл бұрын

Do you know how to make one of those but with the skull opening and closing Need it for school:/

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

@ZombieNamedJosh lol... I know what you mean. To get started is the hardest part! ;)

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you! this is the best comment I ever had! :)

@user-co6sc4pw9k 11 жыл бұрын

جميل ، شكرا لك

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

I think this one was sculpted from an oil based clay called J-Mac. You can get it from Amazon internet store.

@Liberty_Valance 11 жыл бұрын

The sketching part goes pretty quick. I think I spend a bout 2 or 3 days a few hours a day to this point.

@ronnyschneider498 11 жыл бұрын

ich grüsse was für ein material nehmen sie und kann mann human skull auch kaufen

@animexx9117 3 жыл бұрын

Love from vietnam :v💪💪

@Liberty_Valance 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@miggitymaan 12 жыл бұрын

How long did this one take to make?

@natashamadzadzavara1823 8 жыл бұрын

what alternative clay can u useand what colour

@Liberty_Valance 8 жыл бұрын

Beside Tan color oil based clay, you can use Terracotta color or Green Gray color as well.

@Liberty_Valance 12 жыл бұрын

@yuhad I think I used J-Mac Clay to sculpt this one.

@mileslevy7939 11 жыл бұрын

What type of clay are you using?

@tate47ful 11 жыл бұрын

I'm 50, my wife has finally convinced me i should try my hand at sculpting. she has seen some of my plaster and ceramics i carved on for fun and her and everyone she shows this to think the same. plus maybe a chance to supplement our income to. Not knowing anything technical about this, any study materials books or dvd's you recommend? and starting tools ?, thanks loved the video.

@tuantrinh7793 9 жыл бұрын

Thanks this video helped me

@Liberty_Valance 9 жыл бұрын

You are welcome! I'm glad it was helpful. :)

@SNO3R 11 жыл бұрын

What sort of clay is this?

@bkboggy 10 жыл бұрын

Very cool. Is there a reason why this is additive, rather than deductive?

@Liberty_Valance 10 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comments! Usually working with clay is an additive method of sculpting. If one is working with stone or wood, they use subtraction method.

@bkboggy 10 жыл бұрын

3DworlD2 Cool, I didn't know that about clay. Thank you for a prompt reply. I was watching your other video series as well that used foam for the core (it's of the head that's your avatar here on KZfaq)... any plans on posting the rest of the videos? It stops on #9 and I'd love to see the rest of the process. I watch your videos to help me fall asleep (I have a hard time falling asleep), since they're very relaxing. :) Hard to find great videos like yours.

@Liberty_Valance 10 жыл бұрын

bkboggy lol... I have been a little lazy and a little busy and didn't get to edit the last videos I have of that sculpture. I will soon upload the rest after editing the videos. I have also started on another portrait and it is almost ready. I will also upload those as well.