How to Sculpt Miniatures - Episode 1 - Sculpting Tools

We start off by going over the tools I recommend for working with greenstuff and sculpting miniatures.
If you'd like to follow along with my original article, it can be found here:
www.modernsynthesist.com/2012/...

[@nigelkoop5963]

starting this video by showing all the tools and then narrowing it down to the essentials was a MASTERSTROKE. Made me feel way more confident entering the world of sculpting. GREAT WORK!

[@ModernSynthesist]

Absolutely, Nigel. The more tools you have, the more daunting it feels. I started with 2-3 tools. If you had to, you could get things done with 2 tools: one for smoothing, and one for straight lines/sharp edges.

[@otei1780]

Your favorite tool is a " Beale wax carver " with a custom bend The other one is a " Lecron wax carver " Periostal elevator are different, Wax carving tools are the best Thoses are amazing tools indeed I use and love them aswell Zhale wax carver is insane too Look like a mini wax #5 You can achieve any shape you want with files , sanding paper fine grit and patience (A mini dremel tool is very handy to have to sand metal very fast) From a small screw driver you can make alot of shapes From paperclip some micro spatula or loop tool If you have some dental tool you dont like Reshape them Add a better grip Ect Its limitless

[@ModernSynthesist]

Thanks for these tips! And I've since gotten a Zhale tool, ordered off Ebay, and was shocked to discover how small it was!

[@lucifauk4870]

I just wanted to say thank you. I needed to do rivets. I couldn’t find your suggestion of a retractable pencil. You got me thinking outside the box. I ended up drilling a small hole in the end of a sprue to do the job. My hats of to you. Thank you

[@ModernSynthesist]

YES! Now THAT is what I call a solution!

[@oldbaldfatman2766]

April 22, 2018---Until last month, never heard of polymer clay. As to that first tool shown, been using that for putty work (auto body putty and now, Milliput), getting 5 different ones for $5 at Harbor Freight. Got back into modeling after 15+ years and going for 1/35th scale zombie/apocalypse dioramas....and having a blast. Thing have changed a lot in those 15+ years and been watching/downloading a lot of KZbin videos by people into doll houses, action figures, etc. Seeing a lot of uses for polymer clay, so via Evilbay, bought the ball tipped thingy's, getting 9 different sizes for $13.06 including shipping. Another set with 27 pieces such as the carvers, rubber tipped things, etc. for $13.81, including shipping. As to that needle thing you're so happy with, going a different route after watching another polymer clay video. Woman put 4 of them side by side on a piece of polymer clay, then covered them with another piece of clay, attached a wooden dowel and then covered them with another bit of clay, which she then baked. This way you can make a lot of hair lines, though thing I'll make several different ones. The straw bit is good and have a bunch of different hollow styrene and metal tubes I've used for scratch building things. Thanks for the video.

[@ModernSynthesist]

Thanks for the comment! There are some really epic suggestions in here...particularly that hair tool! I feel like I could mock up something like that for sculpting Tyranid vascular tissue.

[@stefanosiclari]

I never sculpted anything in my life. Today I wanted to sculpt a leach for my d&d games and I only managed to make the basic shape before I thought: "well, how do I give it details since I can't sculpt for shit?" I was at the point I didn't even know how to make an eye. Seeing the tip of the pen made my brain work again. Basically you helped me by showing a piece of a pen. Genious.

[@ModernSynthesist]

Oh man! So happy to hear it! Sculpting is easy so long as you have someone to give you some tips. Otherwise it can definitely be overwhelming.

[@owenwilliams4409]

This is A+ man. Really keen to see the rest of your videos when they're ready. I wondered would you be doing a tutorial on capes. Everything looks better with capes.

[@ModernSynthesist]

Owen Williams That's an awesome suggestion. Thank you! I could definitely do a video on hoods and capes.

[@travisjohnson622]

what i would like to see. The actual application of some of the silicon shapers. Some have some interesting shapes. Just starting out I have no idea what you are going to acomplish with some of these tips. Perhaps a second video showing how you use the tools? Properly even?

[@ModernSynthesist]

Thanks Travis! In one of my later videos, I show how they function in practice. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aorJhp2gdteIhMksi=n5j5toT50S_2moej

[@herculeholmes504]

I love that stitch-making tool, I'll have to make one of those out of something. We don't get those kind of coffee stirrers over here but I'm sure I can find something that'll do the same job. I noticed that there are two tools I have that you don't have, and I think they qualify as "essential". One is an orange stick, and the other is a regular sized bent needle mounted into a pen casing. BTW, I also like to use reading glasses - cheap magnification.

[@ModernSynthesist]

Hercule, I've actually got a video on the back burner showing how to use the tool to make stitches. It was put on hold due to RL and not much of a response to my initial videos, but I'm thinking I should bump it up and get it out so folks like you can benefit from it :) Also, if you want to email your address to me at modernsynthesist _at_ gmai l_dot_ com, I will happily mail you a thousand of these stir sticks because they are free and easy to mail. Maybe we can exchange for some of your essential tools ;) In fact, anyone reading this comment is welcome to email me for some stir sticks.

[@herculeholmes504]

Thankyou Synth, if I can't find one (I haven't checked McDonald's yet) I will take you up on that. :-) I'm not surprised you haven't gotten much interest in your sculpting videos, I don't think you're doing anything wrong, you've got a rock solid voice for narration and your camera macro is great, but there just aren't enough people out there who are into the sculpting side of things; you're in a very niche and elite and slightly lonely club compared to painting miniatures; painting and terrain building and gaming videos get a decent amount of views, but most people don't even really think about where miniatures come from let alone try sculpting a miniature. Your average gamer/collector might have a go at making cloaks and hoods, and maybe have a stab at converting a monster but there don't seem to be many budding amateur mini sculptors out there.

[@hobbymanproductions4553]

Very nice video thank you for the helpful tips I subscribed to your Channel

[@ModernSynthesist]

Thanks for the subscribe!

[@thatothersanecustodian8034]

How about skulls, purity seal and other small ornarments?

[@ModernSynthesist]

That other sane custodian : Those sound like the musings of an Imperial player! That stuff is real easy, though not very exciting, so I can definitely get to it.

[@thatothersanecustodian8034]

Indeed. I am an imperial player and I'm trying to do a big army of guard/marine/grey knight/etc. Just want my officiers to have a little plus :)

[@Adhyy_]

I need some tools were it get

[@ModernSynthesist]

Your local art supply store is a good place to start.