Full Dragon Sculpture, Part 1. Armature wire

I'm so excited to be starting a NEW project!! This is going to be awesome! I am doing a full figure sculpture this time. If possible I would like to sculpt a dragon! Wings and all! But if for some reason I am unable to do that I will just sculpt something else... Most likely a abstract creature.. Either way, it all sounds fun! lol Sorry for not getting this video up sooner, I had serious issues with my computer and had to reset it back to the way it was shipped from the factory.. A pain, but now its running good as heck! lol (yes I backed up all my files)
I tried my best to explain what I did on this so far... sometimes its hard explaining this stuff! lol I am a visual learner, so its weird explaining.. But like always if you have a question just ask, I'll try to answer if I can.
I would really like to hear what you think so far, I know its early in the project, but I can't help to feel excited!!! Part 2 will come much faster now that my computer issue is solved, so you can look forward to that. I am going to be doing other stuff in between some of these project videos, just so you know! For example, I have a particular way I marble this clay, and it yields similar results every time.. I think this would be helpful to everyone who needs to simulate marble. It SUPER easy!! I also have some VERY COOL ideas for clay projects!! But its top-secret...for now.. =D
Thank you so so much for watching everyone, don't forget to rate.. And I will see you again SOON!
Full Dragon Sculpture, Part 1. Armature wire
• Full Dragon Sculpture,...
Full Dragon Sculpture, Part 2. Wings, foil, and tape!
• Full Dragon Sculpture,...
Full Dragon Sculpture, Part 3 Starting the clay (covering the armature)
• Full Dragon Sculpture,...
Full Dragon Sculpture, Part 4. Got muscles?
• Full Dragon Sculpture,...
Full Dragon Sculpture part 5. (3 headed dragon!)
• Full Dragon Sculpture ...
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[@leesasees]

I never commented back when you first did this project, but I have to tell you after all these years how beautiful this piece is and I'm glad to see you're still at it. Blessings sir.

[@softsounds8453]

This KZbin series is one of my earliest KZbin memories. Can't believe the video is 11 years old

[@leesasees]

Yeah me too! The work this man put into his creation is mind blowing!

[@TheBroodingTom]

Its tempting!! But I have been wanting to do a dragon FOREVER!! A lot of requests for that as well.. No worries, I will be doing this for the rest of my life! And I'll get better as I go, should at least lol. So I can do many things.. I agree, dinosaurs are cool!

[@bobbypierce7608]

I just wanna say..WOW! You covered so many aspects of armature..sculpting..and painting. Thankyou!

[@Ghostrider1717x]

Thanks for the great video. Just starting out myself and really like that your videos are broken down in short easy to follow tutorials. Well done, look forward to seeing your progress.

[@WendyfaeArt]

this is really awesome!!! not only is this fun to watch but very inspiring, your voice sounds great describing everything too very smooth and calm and I love everything!

[@cozzyscreatures9198]

I love the movement that it is already showing in the wire frame. Beautiful, look forward to seeing more :)

[@BarbGhig]

Thanks so much for sharing your process with us...I can't wait to see what you're gonna do next!

[@benjamincostello]

Thank you so much for this series. I am just delving into the sculpting thing and so far I have loved it. This series was incredibly helpful and taught me huge amounts. I can't wait to use the things I learned. Thank you again!

[@TheBroodingTom]

Awesome! And I'm glad you enjoy this, that makes it all worthwhile! Thanks!!

[@ponytoes]

You are not only a wonderful artist, you are a great teacher! :-)

[@stephychu025]

Dude you are so great! Thanks for sharing this with us I'm so glad I found this video I will see them all to get an idea on how to make a sculpture! Thanks

[@deborahmcleod-morris6290]

enjoying watching. My grandsons want me to make them a dragon statue.... this helps a lot on how to get going on it.

[@TheBroodingTom]

It really does have endless possibilities!! Glad you are looking forward to this!! Thank you!

[@BagiClaymations]

Oh hell yes, I'm excited to see how this is going to turn out, always wanted to see you try a figure like this! :)

[@luemoonba]

Can't waite for the next one. Thanks for sharing this.

[@KawaiiStudioCrafts]

Ahhh so excited to see what it's going to be as a finished product!!!! :D

[@walkitout1963]

Can't wait!! I know you will make us go WOW!!!!

[@plug1461]

I do a craft where I use wire it can be at times a tricky medium to work with. Love your scale, looking forward to watching too completion

[@TheBroodingTom]

I got these wires at wall-mart actually... They are in the hardware section and are galvanized. I saw 2 different sized of wire, so I got both... WAAAAAY cheaper then true armature wire, trust me! You can also buy service wire from Lowes, both copper and aluminum by the foot. Then I take it home a strip it myself with a knife... not as easy but a cheep source compared to actual armature wire.. hope that helps!

[@sevenmoonz6517]

Before I did these really small dragons that took me like no effort but now imma make these! Thanks for sharing dis

[@Hawkeye1535]

I dropped on one of your videos of the dragon quiet by chance. it looked fantastic so I decided I am going to watch all the series. so far part one alone has been a great help in understanding sculpting in clay. time lapse is a great way to learn but what I really like about your videos is that you comment on them as we watch. it is so much better for the viewer. thanks for taking the time to make these videos for our benefit. best wishes, hawkeye1535

[@cannedcatfood]

So awesome. Thanks for all your tutorials!

[@mzGLEElvr]

In love with your colored pencil storage

[@vicenteramos9595]

Nice intro, man. Thanks. En route to Part 2.

[@MarkPoppinPringlesleaf]

wow. I would really like to see you make a dragon. You are of to a great start so many possible outcomes from the starting building. Look forward to seeing part 2

[@coryssanchez]

Thank you so much! I love dragons and serpents and you've helped me so much. You are doing amazing work [here and there] and you can tell by the Dragons you create. Much love and Life! CorysS

[@TheBroodingTom]

Hello, glad your giving it a try! If your having trouble connecting the two pieces of wire, try hold them together with some regular pliers, or needle nose. This will free up your other hand.. And don't worry about making the first few wraps so tight, as long as they hold it in place you can begin tweaking it with more wire afterwords.. Hope that help! =D

[@TheBroodingTom]

:D I appreciate the confidence!! What I am trying to figure out is what kind of clay will I use... I have almost 5 pounds of super sculpey, but if I use that it will need painting. I could mix a few blocks of color clay into the super... hmmmm. I will figure out something.

[@cuvo219]

im glad you went with that idea :) im sure it will work out great!

[@10honeybeeautiful100]

I'm excited to see what it is going to be!. I hope it will be a sculpture of your cat.

[@sexybackfreaky]

Cant wait for the next video.

[@TheBroodingTom]

It does... And now that you mentioned it, I want to do a piece of modern art... It would be fun! Just a bunch of shapes and angles, then spray paint it black, or white.... or cover it with cane work.

[@EmeralDQueenTV]

OMG I can't wait to see this finished!!!!

[@srockies]

I have just started learning to sculpt. I'm into the greenman and have been making mobile wind chimes. I used flex wire and then covered a 6" brass circle to make a disk then covered it in foil. I used liquid clay to cover the foil and then added the cover onto the disk. Which worked well, but your tape idea is better.. I used glue to glue down the foil, but it didn't work so well. So your taping idea is much better. Thanks for sharing

[@emmyblogs]

very cool Tom!

[@TheBroodingTom]

Awesome! Me too, I ♥ dragons! A LOT! :D

[@BerryliciousDecay]

Can't wait Tom! Good luck :)

[@JitendraWagh73179]

Yes sir !! A big thumbs up !! A perfect armature. definitely the channel goes for a subscription. Just like other viewers, i too am stuck like... where to start ?? and thanks for that kick start .. great video. awaiting more to come.

[@susannewinslow5717]

This is awesome!!!! I was just planning on making one.

[@crystalheart9]

Really great and helpful tutorial. Well done, you are great at instruction.

[@TheBroodingTom]

Mouth will be open, but I am going to form it over balled up foil, after baking I will cut it in half. That will basically give me a skill, made of sculpey. I can then add super sculpey around both pieces for details. Most likely will use epoxy for all the teeth. Yes I will do muscle structure as best as I can. Not sure if I'll do environment stuff. It is going to be tricky trying to film all this LOL And sculpting is a way to relax, shouldn't be worrying about it.. Even if I fail, I learn. =D

[@nox.diangelis]

Hey, sir! Thank you for sharing ! Hug from Brazil.

[@2009ladybugz]

great now i can't wait for part 2 lol ooh i hope it's a dragon what ever it will end up i know it will be awesome as usual

[@TheBroodingTom]

LOL Yeah I know... xD I will maybe cut them down to size... maybe. Thanks for checking them out!!

[@valentinaghiotto454]

This video helped me a lot, thank you!

[@DragonFire8745]

Looks great so far. Can't wait to see the finished result. I subbed to your channel. I'd love to try this out sometime. I have a bunch of model horses and I've always wanted to make wings for one of them and have a dragon horse.

[@MalloryAmburn12]

My dream is to be an artist... And u r my new role model! I love your art and please keep posting videos and it might help me learn more about art because I am only 12... So I have a lot to learn!

[@chicameowr]

Glad that your puter is feeling better :) This looks amazing so far and can't wait to see the creation...Thanks for showing us how you create the armature. p.s. would love to see how you marble clay to simulate marble. I have wanted to learn how to create a turquoise effect with polymer clay too.

[@TheBroodingTom]

Thank you for reading all that! I will definitely do a marbling video, for sure. But I am not sure what a turquoise effect is, so I will have to look into that, thanks for the feed back!

[@jbn9029]

Awesome 👍

[@nicholasshelton6903]

Loved it..............................

[@Shoujonekoninja]

Wow, that was quick! Thanks for the tip! That trick helped a lot. :)

[@TheBroodingTom]

No problem, thank you for watching!! =D

[@cuvo219]

that looks like a very stable armature! :D and if you wanna try out some wings that good thing to do would be to just add them to the armature ;) I learnd that the hard way lol

[@TheBroodingTom]

Thank you!! And no, not yet.... Is it fun? That is mostly carving right? And I'm guess you could expose it to heat to take out the roughness...

[@MakePastaNotWar69]

This is truly amazing. You have a real talent, my friend. Can anyone do this with enough practice and patience? I absolutely adore dragons and would love to make one.

[@peacegirl567100]

I never knew you could use wire if you ever want to make a clay creation that is heavy! Thx, You really helped! :D

[@xINVISIGOTHx]

nice, they're really big wings!

[@TheBroodingTom]

VERY TRUE!!! I was also thinking the same thing!! lol I will have to look at the body once its done (doing the wings last) and if it looks like it needs it I will cut them a bit.. But I completely agree with you. Technically speaking, a dragon wings would have to be monstrous to support its own weight.. Good point!

[@pralademarrakeshross3329]

Thank you Master! I from Brazil... you very best! grate!

[@TruthSeekingElf]

Could be a horse, or a unicorn? Or some sort of fairy tale animal you could even make up as you go along. Amazing, looking forward to seeing what you create from this!

[@PhoebesWorldProductions]

Thank you!!! I am wanting to learn how to do this type of project, so this is very helpful! Thank you!! =)

[@joshuadrake.8055]

wow I watched the entire make. your a great sculptor much better than me but I'm getting beter

[@2techshop]

Great video - thanks for not using annoying music!

[@TheBroodingTom]

I don't recommend using scissors to cut any kind of wires, as it can permanently damage the scissors.. But there are plenty of other tools that can do the job..

[@BooteyBase]

You are amazing! (: really inspirational!

[@StephenBevilacqua]

Awesome dude going thru the same thing hope we Make out good brother

[@TheBroodingTom]

Are you asking how will I turn it around? I have a pretty big turntable (lazy susan), this will fit on it nicely!

[@lupumihaela7313]

Hi from Romania ! I love your work very much! You are very talented .kisses

[@goko2]

Very nice tutorial video thanks!

[@ALvatar3]

Very beginner here your videos are very helpful

[@corneater23]

I have three on my list that i fund out about from other artists. Galvanized wire, Brass wire, and Gage wire. Each has its own strengths and sizes depending on your sculptor.

[@conniewhitney6878]

I like your video and am trying to do this but am having trouble getting everything to come together..everything is going every which way and i cant get him to stand...should i add more wire??..thanks

[@TheBroodingTom]

Wait till you see the photo's I'm about to post to Facebook! Unreal!! (I added the wing part armature) =D And thank you!

[@crashdummyglory]

wonderful, thanks!

[@DeviantCandy]

I actually have a question. I keep getting cracks in my polymer clay. I do large bust sculptures and I was wondering if I should bulk it up first. What would you recommend? I love your work :)

[@amberholloway2887]

awesome video. I'm attempting a dragon topper for a very special little boys birthday cake soon. could you tell me what gauge wire you tend to use for these sculptures please?

[@MrSurudijes]

very interesting, looking forward for part 2 :) btw have you ever tried some different materials for sculpting, for example wax?

[@Deesum88]

Thank you so much! Awesome video!

[@JigokuShoujo22]

AWESOOOOME!!!!!

[@TheBroodingTom]

Well this method of use involves minimal heating (the part where the sculpture gets baked) and is at a very low temperature. Thanks for the warning on soldering, but the baking part is just fine. I finished this weeks ago and I'm still alive haha!

[@CanOfMagic]

So far it looks awesome! it reminds me of a rapter. I know for sure this will turn out great. also having more videos of every process i think will be a great idea.

[@madindog]

I remember watching this video when I was little and horribly failing at sculpting

[@TheBroodingTom]

It does feel stable.. I will consider what you say about the wings too. I was thinking of putting two pieces of metal pipe into the body, sticking out just a little.. then epoxy the wing in them when ready.. Its either that or just work around them the whole time. =/ I'll figure it out somewhere along the way LOL! :D

[@madysonweaver1043]

This is awesome! Thanks for the tutorial. I have a question: at my school we use earthenware clay that goes in an electric kiln. Would you have to sculpt something like this without an armature because of the high heat? Thanks in advance.

[@TheBroodingTom]

If the clay you are using is water based (I'm assuming it is) then this project will not work for you. Putting water based clay around a rigid form (armature) will cause cracking all over it. Huge cracks. What happens is the water in the clay dries out thus causing the remaining clay to shrink. Water based clay usually has a high shrinkage rate, not sure how much, but Polymer Clay has less than 1% so it can be used with armatures or even wrapped around glass forms with little to no cracking at all. Hope this helps.

[@ajlomas7185]

Hey buddy, sorry I've only just discovered you're video, and it's really inspired me to have a go and sculpt my own dragons, as I draw a lot of dragons, but sometimes trying to draw a dragon in a different and dynamic pose can be difficult, so hopefully it will help me create better drawings. Thankyou for sharing you're techniques, and I just wanna say...YOU'RE AWESOME (and real handsome too) and that's another talent to add to your resume. Great work buddy, thankyou for inspiring me, love and best wishes from the UK. Definitely a sub and a like from me!!!

[@keileyberry856]

I tottaly agree, its so much easier to draw the dragon instead of sculpting one

[@kuroneko1042]

Thank you so much, I am inspired!!

[@BROWULFdude]

thank you for sharing this :D I learnt soo much. I believe in you lad, do the dragon take risks XD

[@KyleWigginsArt]

Thanks for sharing this! I'm an illustrator and I'd like to start sculpting some of my references. I didn't know where to start, other than a 3d design class from several years ago. Your dragon armature was the first thing I watched. Now I know how to go about it. Thanks again, you have a new fan!

[@TheBroodingTom]

The pleasures mine, feel free to follow whatever I have as closely as you like. I hope it helps! This is only a single approach to doing this, I sort of fumbled my way through things as I'm self taught. You'll pick up new ideas and techniques along the way. For most people seeing is learning (for me at least it is) So watch as many different artists as possible. Have fun and thanks!!

[@migelsura5942]

Kyle Wiggins Art ")

[@ChibiChocoCharms]

Hi Tom, Youve really Inspired Me To start Sculpting And I Have Some questions, After You Put On The white Sculpy Original, Do You Move To sculpy III? Or Is That Something Different and Then You Move To Color Sculpy III?

[@ParkCraft99]

Bro you are freakin awesome

[@lynyrdbaquiran8232]

Sir, thank you.

[@drawwitme8316]

How do you get inspired? You draw first? See a cool pic somewhere? Or do you see it in your head already?

[@ByJoveProductions]

how long did you sculpt this wicked awesome sculpture its so wicked awesome

[@TheBroodingTom]

I'm gonna try! =D I don't know how good it will be though.

[@tarialorehand]

hmm, okay I'll try that. what about heating the wire up first, then add the solder? would that work? or would that be a bad idea?

[@karenjohnston7342]

Thank you! Much Love! Namaste!

[@TheBroodingTom]

Thanks!!

[@lerossy66]

They make a paste that help you bind your wires and solder together. It should be by the solder wire and iron.