Alien Update
About 2 weeks ago I came up with an idea for an Alien and a Skeleton doll. At that time I started to sculpt the original pieces out of clay and then made master plaster molds of them. Now that the molds are dry I am able to cast them in slip (liquid clay), make a few changes, refine them and production molds can be made from those pieces. I'll make many so that I can pour lots of pieces without having to wait for the molds to dry before I can start casting again. After pouring the production molds, waiting for the clay to set up, removing the parts from the molds, seams and pouring spouts can be removed and a final smoothing and refining of the parts is done. I'll have to wait for those parts to dry and then the parts will be put in a kiln and fired. Only after all that can I start actually working on the doll body. Phew, Makes me tired just thinking about all the steps!
This is how I have always made dolls, it's a very labor and time intensive method of working. From concept to completion it takes months for me to complete the first doll. I have chosen to work in this medium for doll making as it is a time tested, stable medium ... I like that.
About 2 weeks ago I came up with an idea for an Alien and a Skeleton doll. At that time I started to sculpt the original pieces out of clay and then made master plaster molds of them. Now that the molds are dry I am able to cast them in slip (liquid clay), make a few changes, refine them and production molds can be made from those pieces. I'll make many so that I can pour lots of pieces without having to wait for the molds to dry before I can start casting again. After pouring the production molds, waiting for the clay to set up, removing the parts from the molds, seams and pouring spouts can be removed and a final smoothing and refining of the parts is done. I'll have to wait for those parts to dry and then the parts will be put in a kiln and fired. Only after all that can I start actually working on the doll body. Phew, Makes me tired just thinking about all the steps!
This is how I have always made dolls, it's a very labor and time intensive method of working. From concept to completion it takes months for me to complete the first doll. I have chosen to work in this medium for doll making as it is a time tested, stable medium ... I like that.
Wow, that's interesting! A lot of work!!!
ReplyDeleteAWESOME. Love how you explained not only the process, but why you do it. That is often something people don't convey when they show a new technique (or an old one in this case).
ReplyDeleteWow, that really is a lot of work. That's so wonderful that you know how to do the molds and everything. I would love to learn to do that. I can't wait to see your finished art doll. Be sure and do a posting on it.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the finished dolls!
ReplyDeletewow, having made dolls with plaster cloth, I know that doll making is very labour and time intensive, cannot wait to see the finished pieces!
ReplyDeleteCool !!
ReplyDeleteLove those tiny parts !