Impossible Job: Hollowing a Complex Sculpture

In order to fire a sculpture in water-based clay, any type of rigid armature embedded in it needs to be removed because as the clay retracts during the drying process (since the armature does not) it would crack and break. It is also better to remove clay from the inside to reduce the risk of explosion during firing. It can be a challenge.
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[@clintmorrisful]

Imagine having the confidence to dig into something so perfect.

[@DutchGrass420]

Exactly!, it requires such trust in your abilities to sculpt that any damage you might cause can be repaired, very inspiring to see.

[@davidowiti7045]

yeah...more like courage than confidence.....

[@handznet]

@@DutchGrass420 well. He obviously has those abilities as he was able to make it in the first place

[@richardmoody5172]

That was nerve wracking to watch. Glad it was successful! Another beautiful sculpture!

[@tbandikoota]

Supports one of my core beliefs: If you make it yourself then you can fix it yourself. Holds true, even for an artist. Wonderful piece!

[@theevilscientist2294]

For me, to hollow a sculpture is the most difficult part, I'm always afraid to break it. This sculpture is a masterpiece, really beautiful.

[@BobbyDukeArts]

incredible

[@prakashkatkar3465]

Biggggggggggg faaaaaan sirrrrrrrrrr from india

[@giacomomuragliasculptor1027]

Great Philippe!! Wonderful masterpiece!! Some sculptors doesn't know how much is hard take off the armature from a sculpture... and specially in a articulate piece like this, you gotta stay really focused!!! I use to do that for make pieces in terracotta... every time is always like a challenge!! You're afraid to lose your sculpture that you made with such a love... long time ago, I lost a sculpture tall 2,15 mt after I took off the entire armature from it... the statue gave way and it fell front of my eyes, I felt so sad, I didn't get in my studio for at least one week, it's almost like you lose a piece of your heart... but I promised to myself that I'm gonna make it again one day!!

[@nouchkadevries4659]

not only is the sculpture itself genuinely unique... The art of digging it out so refined is a true art in itself!

[@lionlight777]

The facial expectations. were captured so life like. MASTERPIECE in deed. Respect

[@Declan-pg8cg]

You really do need to make a mold of this for wax positives. Or even resin casts. It's a gorgeous piece.

[@Declan-pg8cg]

@Yes Sir! What? Are you OK?

[@martinacevedohace8anos166]

@@Declan-pg8cg he did, see the beginning of the video

[@poulsonarrow]

The leap of trust in ones self ... no other way is there than to go for it , hats off to you Philippe for sharing that Leap .

[@AnmaSchneider]

What a stress removing the armature ! Great job, Philippe ! I'm glad it was successful and you didn't ruin it during the process ! What a relief to see you finish !

[@Todayseasel]

Just ordered from your site again. I have studied for years and you suggested water based clays. I have played with it but have no way to fire it. You are an amazingly skilled master. One day after this craziness is over I would like to but you a coffee and visit your studio. There is truly something very special about your work.

[@AmedeeBoulette]

I really hope to see more... you’re incredibly talented and seeing you work is moving. Thank you for sharing your passion.

[@jmgfx4161]

I can now hold my breath for 7 minutes and 17 seconds.

[@Chauhan_2799]

Hahaha...Same here

[@JAsisterti]

right?

[@colterthompson6846]

Love it. I came to search how to hollow water-based clay sculpts and your channel alone is a gold mine. Thanks for these.

[@movedoldaccountofwillowthe7143]

I never thought I'd watch a video of a man deboning a clay sculpture but here we are. All jokes aside though.. this is gut wrenching to watch, well done for even having the confidence to do this- let alone do it so flawlessly!

[@bm4341]

OMG..magical!! Its darn beautiful. You blew me away. You are a true artist. Wow!!!!!!

[@tiffanyhess3809]

Omg it about killed me to watch you do that. But Wow!! You do such amazing work! 😍🤩😁I love all your videos. Thank you for what you do.

[@SalkisRe]

I got anxiety watching you pull this apart. What a gift your are. Thanks for sharing

[@victormaslo3830]

it's like watching surgery but without the blood. wish them both a full recovery. Had hoped to see the final casting in the vid.

[@marcosala5456]

I'm without words...OMG!! THAT'S AMAZING!!!

[@kristineb.mcanelly3304]

Much joy and peace in watching you maneuver through the cutting and repairs.

[@VC27]

Not only are you a very gifted artist, you would've also made a very skilled surgeon!

[@NeolithicMan23]

It's not even my sculpture why am I so apprehensive watching this?!! And I didn't even watch you modeling it, now i want to! This is a magnificent work.

[@jeannettesmith5492]

breath taking. I was right there with you with every nip of the winds cutters. Amazing 💕

[@MrEmozhimo]

This was so painful to watch !!

[@AdrianWoodfield]

It’s like watching some sort of grotesque surgery!

[@citrocar1028]

I couldn't agree more😫

[@ManzmussulFitness]

He made her , she was beautiful , her friend was beautiful, then He killed them by dismembering them . He then removed their bones, and re-patched their bodies ...😢

[@coolblue_179]

@@ManzmussulFitness That would make a GREAT horror movie tbh....

[@NightBazaar]

But in the end, all turned out well. I was certainly holding my breath a few times.

[@donnie7578]

Sir, You are a Great Artist and Sculpturist and I enjoy watching your videos...Thank You.

[@LechuzaNozomi]

OMG!!! This is awesome! Your the best!💜

[@rendtech]

I almost shed a tear watching this. Great job and awesome sculpture!

[@sculpit]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rendtech]

@@sculpit where are you based? If you were in Melbourne Australia I would be honoured to fire them for you. 😀

[@sondraalexander4922]

Wow! Amazing work! So glad it worked out for you! Great Idea!

[@zoridezi1479]

It hurts watching this. What a extraordinary piece. I'm subscribing .

[@angysandoval1768]

Grazie per condividere! Sono impressionata del lavoro!

[@ervin1121]

Неперевершена робота. Дякую.

[@traceyroberts820]

Such a beautiful and perfect sculpture, but that was really painful to watch, you are very talented :)

[@muriel-leobet]

Un travail titanesque, merci de nous l'avoir partagé...

[@paulfoster9543]

Stunning work and a very well executed removal of the armature, well done Sir, beautiful!

[@mrirurfkjsdo]

OMG, i was suffering so much !!!! Très beau et sensible travail Philippe !!!

[@guitarbobish]

Fabulous piece of work.

[@Chauhan_2799]

Hat's off to your patience , accuracy and dedication ..Love this job😍

[@jameshurley6021]

I keep learning more and more every time I watch you. I have students use newspaper for armature in clay in my high school and burn it out slowly with animal figures before a full fire for vitrification. I am wondering, since many want to try human figures and newspaper has it's limitation if we couldn't use a light wood like balsa for armature and then burn it out like we do with the newspaper. (I have outdoor kilns so fumes are not an issue for my class) I don't know that my students have the fortitude to slice up their pieces and gut them like you have, though I intend to show them this video so they can see.... IT CAN BE DONE! Thank you sir.

[@trudesoto7807]

That is SKILL and confidence at work!

[@Bluebuthappy182]

That was fantastic work man.

[@skylarwarren2496]

BRUH, you're crazy!!! AMAZING!!

[@dekegordon1168]

AWESOME!!! Hard to watch!! Truly AWESOME!!!!!!!!

[@chhabraramesh1]

Most difficult job. If I were you , will surely lost several heart beats. Thanks for sharing a courageous attempt.

[@bibifricotin1812]

Impressive work, beautiful work, well done

[@jesuscarlosadevaolmos9893]

De los mejores videos que he visto....realmente espectacular

[@poppealvento3188]

You are really talented and this video gives to you 1000 points more

[@joserubenscaramori8117]

Meu Deus!!!!!!!! Que perfeição!!!!!!! estou aqui de boca aberta!!! fantástico... incrível...

[@The1sillygirly]

You're a miracle worker, man.

[@joemoreno1409]

Dude, you're amazing!!

[@gustavohurtado8491]

Wow, MAESTRO.......Que bella creación, gracias......¡¡¡¡

[@MindBodyMoodMusic]

Wow this was amazing. I was hurting when you where cutting out the parts AFTER doing so much work. 😅 But I get it, saves so much clay. Great talent 👏. Thank you for sharing

[@kobedq1621]

great piece, great tought procces, super work!!!

[@Cuthelain]

Fabulous work

[@annaomodeo7318]

This sculpture is so life like! such an outstanding piece I'm glad you pulled it off 👏👏👏

[@isidrolopezz]

Excelente trabajo, una verdadera obra de arte. Truky awesome. Keep on doing such great sculptures

[@ghraydon]

Exquisite piece, but too painful to watch. Virtuoso artistry and technical mastery in one set of hands. Hats off to you!

[@RestorationAustralia]

Well done beautiful job.

[@neelumahendra4695]

you r so brave. that was a cliff hanger experience to watch

[@YusufGinnah]

WOW!! This is stunning....! Love it, subbed you, most definitely wanna see more... Pure craftsmanship...👍🏼

[@angelnichols5408]

Absolutely gorgeous work!

[@mohamedalmiladi2852]

That's amazing work of hollowing , great lesson

[@utubewillyman]

1:30 Just that leg alone is so exquisite.

[@jakubszubka]

holy shit man, what a skillful job, amazing

[@dasIDS]

Would love to see it fired!!! Amazingly subtle work!

[@lindavorster7989]

absolutely magnificent!!! wish i could be educated by you!! Wow 😮

[@vrejtamazian524]

Fine work.

[@gersonfernandescamacho5826]

Your job is amazing.

[@3DCGdesign]

me: are you nuts? you could never remove that... Philippe: hold my beer.

[@sculpit]

Very Funny... thanks.

[@independence7589]

Нет слов..., браво, маестро 👏👏👏

[@Deonete]

GENIUS, IS THE WORD.

[@franzrogar]

Yes, it can be done... by someone with your exquisite and godly mastery. Any normal being in this planet would have: (a) died of a heart attack just by slicing it; or (b) would have not even dared to put a finger after all the work already done to create such masterpiece.

[@abhijithvb3]

My chest was feeling heavy by watching this Awesome sculpture 😍🤩😍

[@dafttool]

Wow. Thanks. This was exceptionally informative.

[@freedomyoung3153]

very very wonderful a works!!

[@miguellasso9477]

Wow, fantástico. Impresionante trabajo

[@darkmoonthedirewolf9231]

Great artwork! Your amazing!

[@donaldsottile8375]

MIND BLOWING! . Coreraigous man. Nearly an impossible task. Beautiful piece. Nice to see you on KZbin Philippe. This is your old fellow sculptor Don Sottile from Penn Yan. It'd be nice to see you sometime. Cheers

[@sculpit]

Hi Don, nice to read you. Come visit anytime.

[@WarDisciple1]

such great work

[@artifexmom3824]

That’s pretty awesome ☺️💕

[@doofersmith666]

NOOOOOO IMPOSIBLIE BUUUEYYY PERO QUE BRUTO ARTISTA QUE ERESSS TE FELICITOOOOO!!!!!!!

[@michelmourain3614]

Merci Maître.

[@Abakhan]

We already knew since Michelangelo that carving is "just" removing the part of the stone that is not the sculpture... You "just" extend the concept to the ultimate level! J'admire vote travail depuis bien longtemps, j'espère un jour avoir le temps et la chance de participer à une de vos formations. Merci d'avoir sauvé cette œuvre. Pourra-t-on la voir après cuisson ?

[@NewLife-qj9mx]

Pretty sure thats the longest ive ever held my breath

[@AngelFrancoart]

Que talentoso increíble WOWO!!!!!!

[@PavelKabush]

Love your works!

[@p.d.catito3313]

great job a smart man

[@Странница-ч5п]

Amazing! I know how hard this is.

[@erosangelos9422]

Hello! I Enjoyed every second of it )), BRAVO!

[@gerrystevens9041]

that was very hard work monsieur philippe. i wont have to do it; i use air dry clay. [a beginner]. i am inspired by your beautiful works. you do realise we have now a global renaissance in Art? so many artists are leading the way; showing us how ..yt gets a lot of britbats these days but i think yt has helped tremendously in areas such as sculpture, painting, and survival; and the latest in science programmes. all that and an education in money too. some day i shall be as good as you. [in my next life...]...

[@sajart-8498]

Amazing job, you always giving us satisfied video

[@sordidloam]

you are so brave!

[@RaoniVieira]

This have made my night a lot better... just amazing!!! I wish to see the result after it is fired

[@polarstern5481]

Super genial, ich liebe es, wer das so kann!👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👌👌👌

[@artifexmom3824]

Hello 👋🏻 I’m your newest follower ☺️👍🏻 God bless and please keep safe always 🙏🏻

[@yematosan8837]

Perfect shape

[@glynette6570]

That was amazing!

[@ZERNESTOESCULTOR]

Beautiful beautiful. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👌👌👌

[@colinbird6436]

Wow, I am amazed to 'how' the Laguna clay stays so fresh, or was there a need to moisten the clay before you start to dissect and remove the clay from the armature(s) ? Would be good to see the firing process and how the work 'faired' afterward. Sure hope it ends well Philippe, good luck my friend.

[@sculpit]

Hi Colin. Sorry for the late reply. The clay is left drying until it reaches a leather-hard consistency. At this point the inside is still soft and easy to scoop out but the surface is hard enough to prevent the piece from collapsing.

[@colinbird6436]

@@sculpit No need to apologize Philippe, it is good that you have the courtesy to reply and respect you spending time in doing so, thank you. I now understand, but, I would still be really nervous when undertaking such a task.