Sculpting an Elephant, part 1: Armature!

[@heartlessanedes9509]

This demonstration was really helpful! I was unaware that a base would be so helpful for making the sculpture. Very well done!

[@rondion9141]

Shelley, here ... I'm so HAPPY to see u back! Yay! I really must commend you on the way you explained how to make the armature. I've watched hundreds of videos on that, and this is the FIRST TIME I've ever seen it explained this way, WHICH IS THE RIGHT WAY, taking scale and joint points into consideration by MEASURING, not just EYEBALLING it! You're an amazing teacher. Welcome back! Don't be gone that long again, ya hear?

[@dragonflygrandma]

Thank you so much for your armature and sculpting videos. I just recently finished this elephant. Not near as nice as yours, but pleased. It was my first sculpture. Thank you so much!

[@iamchriss77]

can't wait for the sculpting, your work is awesome. I always enjoy your video.

[@Voletta1000]

I have been watching you forever. I have learned so much from you! Please keep making things. If you know how to make texture sheet molds please give a demo. YOU ROCK!!!

[@CreatureDesign]

Looking forwards to seeing the clay get added. Thank you for taking the time to show all of the necessary steps as well. Cheers ;-)

[@TheBroodingTom]

+Robin Slee Wow you do awesome work! Subbed

[@CreatureDesign]

Polymer Clay Artist Thank you. I certainly do enjoy your videos. You have a very calming voice and your models are awesome. Cant wait to see how you texture that elephant too ;-)

[@MarianneVakiener]

I appreciate the way you explain what you're doing and why. I'm glad to see you back with a new project!

[@TheBroodingTom]

+Marianne Vakiener Well I appreciate you letting me know... it really does help me so much! The explaining part is the hardest part for me as a lot of times I don't know what to say lol but I try anyways :D

[@renae4]

dude, your voice is so calming.

[@icecreamprincess000]

nice to hear you again :) looking forward to this new project :)

[@TheBroodingTom]

+Floraphine Thanks I very much appreciate that!!!

[@shelsmith8309]

Wonderful!! I haven't sculpted in awhile but my mom's birthday is in December, and she collects elephants. I hope to make her an elephant this year.

[@Graysunshinecries]

Did you make it?

[@BlackCat_2]

Awesome start! Yeah that tape is expensive. I have bought it once or twice for making quick repairs to my AC ducts under the house. It was fun except for wondering if any black widow spiders were under there. :p Seeing a new video from you always makes me smile. :D - Heidi

[@TheBroodingTom]

+BlackCat2 Oh gosh... I've been under ours a few time moving cable tv lines, you would so laugh at me! I just freeze every few feet or so because I KNOW they're at least 50 of them... watching.. waiting... LOL On a more serious note, I really appreciate you sticking around Hiedi it means so much!!

[@BlackCat_2]

Polymer Clay Artist Hee hee hee. I can totally picture that. :) I put our cable and internet lines in back of the house instead of underneath. :) I don't mind spiders and I like them. Except the ones that can kill me. :p I appreciate you making these awesome videos so I can learn and be inspired. :D

[@mp3xeditor340]

Super

[@galacticgremlin]

You have the most calming voice. I have trouble sleeping, so it always helps me to leave your videos playing as a sleep aid because they're so relaxing. And I learn a thing or two, too! Killing 2 birds with one stone :D

[@savas6142]

You are very talented, you are also a talented teacher. Thank you for your effort.

[@ConghungartArtist82]

you are wonderful. I like this job very much.❤❤❤👍👍👍❤❤❤

[@gerbendenheeten6905]

I'm glad I found your vids.. I am about to create my own Sculpey figurine, and these vids are really handy!

[@rebdulah8001]

great video I'm trying to get into sculpting and this really helped 👍👍

[@marthaimler7264]

I watched all 11 videos on making the elephant I loved it very much

[@heatherherrmann1777]

You have a very calm teaching voice. I really enjoyed watching this and glad I found your channel. Subscribed!

[@anafigueroacobar8115]

Hi, I'm Ana, I want to thank you because thanks to your tutorials on how to sculpt an elephant I could sculpt my own replica and now I can surprise a very special person for me with that gift. I have no studies about a sculptor but with your guide I was able to create art. I share my experience so you know what you do inspires others. You are an artist. I would like you to see my elephant sculpture and give me your opinion. I could send you the photos by mail or messenger. Thanks again. Greetings. P.S. Excuse my English but my native language is Spanish.

[@kayla3972]

Thank you!! Ive been looking for a video on how to do this. Most people just start sculpting and skip this part.

[@Tzaddiel]

The reason why you use masking tape is because it creates a barrier from the metal touching the clay so it doesn't over cook the clay and compromise it's stability and it prevents air pockets. The metal wire raw or with metal rape will cause the clay to expand and heat up and can cause cracking and breaking. The masking tape gives it something to grab onto and doesn't let the extra heat from the metal compromise the clay.

[@BelmontsClayArt]

Hey! =) Thanks for sharing your technique. I really enjoy your tutorials, they are so informative. Can't wait to see the next part! =)

[@PetroicaRodinogaster264]

Your armature making method is very helpful for many other applications. I do 3D felt sculptures and I never use wire but I might just try your method. By the way you sound like a very nice person. Your voice is very calming and unlike a lot of tutorials, you have your prep / tools ready and your camera is set up perfectly. I always have to laugh at people who set up an overhead but then proceed to work half out of the frame so not everything is able to be seen. Your work is great by the way. Best regards to you.

[@stevefrederick7679]

Thank you. I want to tell you that one night I was scrolling through u tube and saw your elephant series. I watched them all and told my wife I want to do this. She looked at me like I was crazy. I never sculpted anything before but she knows if I get something in my head I have to try. Went to Michaels got the clay etc. followed your videos. They were awesome by the way. And first try finished an elephant. Yeah there was things I saw I could of done better but I’ve got lots of compliments. My wife is very critical but she says your not giving this away and keeps saying how she loves it. Thank you again. P. S. Now she wants me to do a giraffe. I wish you had a video for that

[@TheBroodingTom]

I can't express just how refreshing it is reading a comment like this. It also helps with motivation/ambition.. I often lack those things believe it or not. So I, too, want to thank you for the kind words. Feel free to post a pic of your elephant on my Facebook Page facebook.com/PolymerClaySculpting/ would love to see it too. I'm glad your first sculpting experience went well... it doesn't matter how good we all are at it, only that it good to be doing it. A Giraffe sounds cool actually.. I was wanting to do a horse but to be honest giraffe's are not much different, perhaps a little cooler actually :D Not making promises but I sure would like to ( and wanting to do something is half the battle) lol

[@stevefrederick7679]

You got that right. I to lack motivation. Ever since I went on disability and taking these medications it’s hard but once and awhile when I get something in my head it won’t stop till I try it. Thanks again and I’ll post it for ya. Just don’t laugh. Just kidding

[@TheBroodingTom]

I far from laughed... I LOVED it! Has a lot of character, I really do like it! Thanks for following along and double thanks for taking the time to share it, means a whole lot to me. Very inspiring!

[@karenescalera8193]

Never thought of using an armature for small pieces. Love your thoughts on printing out a picture.

[@edwardjohnodes2182]

Great work !! Love this 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Shoko_thesillyalcoholic]

I can't be only one hear bc your a student and your art teacher needs you to make a sculpture, but first armature

[@TheBroodingTom]

Oh that's cool, thanks for letting me know.

[@matytj5738]

Thank you for the video. I've been looking for something like this. I have always wanted to learn how to sculpt but never knew how to start. I tried when I was younger but I didn't know about armatures. Over the years I learned about them but I never tried it. (Didn't have the $ or time to get into it) Now seems like the right time to start or I'll probably never start. Thank you again.

[@lotfyfloty3181]

I am the 999 liker .. I like this number .. Amazing work its helpful and inspiring👍👏

[@TheBroodingTom]

wow thanks! Is it already up THAT high?! You know, I have no clue why the first video did so well and the rest did not lol... it doesn't make since to me. Thanks for dropping by and for the support, it means everything!

[@lotfyfloty3181]

Polymer Clay Artist ur welcome , and i think there is a lot of ppl like me who looking for ideas and mithods about how to start building an armature , and what material should use for it ,, i've watched all parts after u repley my comment and i like them as this one , sorry for my poor english 😅✌

[@katieskraftykorner2842]

Very nice beginning, good luck with the rest....tfs, Katie

[@careyk2037]

I'm fairly new here but watched some videos and love them happy to see you back can't wait to see the next video

[@venugopalimmadi7118]

Great work. Very helpful

[@alexandervillanueva5655]

There are kids who love this

[@ashadowintime7305]

not just kids

[@sculpturesbyC.D.]

👍I'm thinking of making an elephant.

[@TheBroodingTom]

I thought it was pretty fun myself, go for it!

[@artsculpture1024]

Wonderful channel, I subscribed.

[@srilekhalekha3395]

Awesome 😱😱

[@leviugga]

Hi Tom, I just started using polymer clay a few months ago. I just watched the 3 videos on the elephant ...amazing. Are you on Facebook? I haven't done any videos yet so most of the things me and a friend do we post on there. I am working on a more realistic look to my projects ....I find it difficult ...Very! lol Most of my stuff looks cartoony. I will be watching your posts for more of your stuff!

[@jennifert142]

I love your art. Thank you for your videos.

[@rosekay6570]

Do you love his art? Are you thankful!? :)

[@Talki200]

YAAAAAAY New series!!! Missed Ya!

[@TheBroodingTom]

+Tal'Ki Thanks so much!!

[@nanawenty]

Thank you to share this with us

[@sculpturesbyC.D.]

Beautiful. Love it.

[@oceanographicscorp]

love your videos / can you make one about baking / is the clay suppose to be flexible after baking how do i know it was baked enough/ do i bake time for the thickest part? What if i have a part of my sculpture that is 3/4 in thick and a part that is 1/4 inch thick? i know 1/4 = 15 min. also i want to put my sculpture in a fish tank. any insight would be great

[@iamchriss77]

awesome can't wait to see the rest of the videos.

[@Yungkingstonn]

Hi, do you think you could send me a link to where you buy your wires. Thank you! Awesome sculpture by the way.

[@TheBroodingTom]

I get my wire from Walmart :D And thank you!

[@sharronbulman9295]

New subscriber, just stumbled across you channel. Your videos are inspiring and make the sculpting process so clear. But I have to mention that unlike most land mammals which have elbow joints and knee joints, elephants have four knees. So rather than 'arms and legs', they have 'legs and legs'. My daughter went through an 'elephant phase' so I learned a lot of 'fun facts'. Please don't think I am criticising your work, I'm not and it's awesome. Your finished piece has pretty straight front legs anyway. I would be interested to see how the armature would differ though.

[@lindachiang5064]

Hi this is so beautiful I just love it👌😊

[@SusanRoseArt]

So helpful, thank you. 😊

[@cypress1337]

The diagram is a pretty good idea man.

[@cypress1337]

And the marking, hehe. I did it all eye-ball style and it's really bad :p

[@CaptainCretaceous91]

Yeah! I'll have to keep that in mind next time I make something.

[@SHOW_N_TELL]

Hi, amazing draftsmanship.. What kind of clay did you use?

[@TheBroodingTom]

Thank you! I used polymer clay, this elephant was made from a mixture of Super Sculpey and Super Sculpey Firm (50/50) but I now recommend just using Super Sculpey. Much more durable imo

[@ritommajumder8753]

Wonderful, Excellent, amazing, superb

[@bambori85]

Awesome video!

[@00Lecs00]

The armature doesnt have any problems at the moment of the bake?

[@frknkmck]

Hello, wich type of polimer did you user?Can we apply the same method with the bakable polymers ?

[@00WatName00]

Hi, just wanted to share this reply of _Polymer Clay Artist_ to _Ball is Life_ (just saw them at the comments) "I used polymer clay, this elephant was made from a mixture of Super Sculpey and Super Sculpey Firm (50/50) but I now recommend just using Super Sculpey. Much more durable imo" And regarding your question if this can be used with bakeable polymers.. Yes, since polymer clays _are_ made for baking. Super Sculpey & Super Sculpey Firm are oven bake clays. Hope this helps~ 😊👍

[@stephanieperez8984]

This is awesome, it helps a lot! Thanks :0)

[@kanishkaparmar1050]

Hey, what brand of polymer clay do you use? is it durable after bake?

[@The_Kewzler]

Try using super sculpey, its an easy and malleable clay to work with and its super easy to bake in the oven. The baking instructions come on the package of clay and the armature that was made in this video can still be used as a skeleton along with the aluminum foil as the armature/skeleton of the animal you are building.

[@meganporter3764]

What was the length of each side on your drawing?

[@blacklovereditz7064]

excellent!👌👌👌👌

[@Jfresh55]

long time no see. missed you.

[@TheBroodingTom]

+GoldenRetriever Abbie Very sorry to have kept you'll waiting for so long =( But so glad you're still here!! :D

[@luln5122]

Thank you so much. very helpful video.

[@Ia861]

yay new video ☺

[@TheBroodingTom]

+Ia861 I know right?! YAY! :D Thanks I appreciate it!!

[@amaradolan]

I love making things with clay and I haven't finished my dragon yet but when I finish it, I want to sell it maybe but I don't know how much I would sell it few. I was thinking maybe about 5 or 10 not sure

[@TheBroodingTom]

this is something I too also struggle with, not knowing how to price things in such a way that you actually earn a dollar or two is tough for me. Part of it is me just wanting to give it away for nothing because I don't see art as a need/priority, my mom had to raise me and my sister alone, mostly, and things like this were never a priority. It was always food and shelter first. perhaps you could make a few things to sell, but just a few... this way if they don't sell you won't be stuck with the cost of materials. And in the worst case, they will always make wonderful gifts for close friends and family. Sorry for not being able to help in this regard. Most of the things I've made are still sitting here with me. I've always been too modest to agree that they are good enough to sell in the first place, that and a big heart knowing that a lot of people struggle with hard times. Perhaps the struggle I witnessed growing up has skewed my views on things a bit though. My original plans were not to sell anything at all, but rather, become a KZbin sensation.. which could be a very real career opportunity by itself. I do plan on taking on commissions here soon (not yet tho) and actually selling them to the public. When I do this I will share that experience as well, perhaps then I'll be better suited to answering questions like yours. Feel free to share a photo of the dragon you made to the Facebook fan Page, the link is on this channel "Polymer Clay Artist" or here is a link if you don't feel like visiting the channel facebook.com/PolymerClaySculpting/ btw thank you for watching and taking the time to comment it means everything!

[@princeismailsnr291]

Amazing, can I see yours?? So I can learn more??

[@shebaloytapashtapash60]

Beautiful

[@TheBroodingTom]

Thank you.

[@alialialiali8723]

Very nice

[@soroushcruise9864]

Is possible to use paper clay?

[@9thTARDIS]

doesn't the galvanised wire rust ...or does it matter if it rusts? i see people using aluminium wires, so i'm not so certain what to use.

[@victoriabaccus4676]

As long as there is no wire exposed it won't rust.

[@admvloge4502]

Very very good

[@justlivin1234]

Hey there, I so love your elephants that you made. I would be honored to work with you to see if you perhaps could create original peace of an elephant for My candle company I am beginning. I'm fairly new at all of this but I would love to create a candle out of one of your elephants. You know how to create molds of your elephants. If not, would you know anyone that could. hope to hear from you soon, thanks again for your creativity I haven't found anyone as this talent as you are.

[@dipanshusingh8722]

Nice video

[@belovedofkrishnanaveenbhat2910]

Please make a video on Peacock Statue. You are amazing 😊

[@TheBroodingTom]

Thank you for the kind words. :D

[@thummalapelly]

where did you get that first white toy.?

[@savas6142]

Can you tell me the dimensions of the sketch drawn on paper?

[@chandramohan6142]

Amazing

[@preetipausarya747]

I love elephants

[@blackpowerentertainment2281]

I clicked on this video because i thought the thumbnail was a before and after of the completed sculpture, then I watch the video and see that he just put a wire frame next to an actual sculpture to take the picture and now im really disappointed.

[@TheBroodingTom]

This is part 1 to a series. The one on the right is what I was using as a guide, by the time I'm done I think mine turned out a little better. If a bit happier. At any rate thanks for stopping by.

[@noeraldinkabam]

He clearly says “a series of videos”

[@santoshsharma355]

I really appreciate that

[@davenmidtown]

So when animals walk they do so using opposite axis... right front/left rear leg movements. So when you begin to form your armature you can mimic those aspect of animal biology.

[@ashokb9456]

Can I make this using air dry clay?.By the way I love your sculptures

[@toniaschubert8919]

can u please tell me the size wires u are using?

[@TheBroodingTom]

I used 18 gauge galvanized wire for the main structure and 14 gauge galvanized wire to tie it all together. Any wire will do so long as it can withstand the general weight of the structure as it's being baked, and not move at all. So if you use copper use larger gauges for example

[@joepiusthunderbolt2167]

Very interesting

[@naydias]

lindo!

[@sumayyakp8908]

Explanation 👌

[@পুদাইমন্ডল-ঙ৭ভ]

excellent tutorial

[@sunandaguin7015]

Very good

[@9mmLoveLetter]

Where do you buy the support wire?

[@kristiaustrie1721]

Tasha Lee I get my wire from Michael’s. 16 gauge. Sometimes it’s in the jewelry supply section

[@olgaalvarez8534]

Hi again can you tell me how many inches are all you measurement for the elephant? Olga alvarez

[@vfctamilchannel3931]

Awesome

[@sheldonjoby7186]

awsome

[@CaptainCretaceous91]

When I make armatures, I just wrap three wires around each other. One for the body and two for the limbs.

[@PePsiiiHoLiC]

Can you give me the measurements

[@binukalikavu262]

Nice

[@magnushelgimagnusson5866]

This is very nice í have she all your vidio of this and explain is very good í have she many that is not so good like Y ours thang you for this

[@olgaalvarez8534]

I want to thank you for this video. I took a class and did a totem pole. I am artist but I just paint and though I could never do sculpture but I find that if I try I can do it. I am getting ready to do your elephant. I could not find the wire you said to get .I got 16 ga and 22 ga I hope that ok. What do they mean armatures I thing that it means the wire you for the support the elephant needs now that I am doing the elephant there will be more videos so I can practice. I know it will take time til I can produce good sculpture . thank for having this class in you tube Olga Alvarez.

[@TheBroodingTom]

Thank you for watching.. Yes the "armature" is whatever you build for the clay to rest on or around, it usually resembles a skeleton made of wire. The wire sizes you chose are slightly thinner than the sizes I used (see video description) but from what I've experienced, for this elephant at least, is that this armature is more than strong enough and allows zero movement. So maybe It'll work, I don't know. What I can say is the armature only has to be strong enough to support the weight of the clay, if you begin to notice any unwanted movement during your sculpting you may want to use larger wire, or double up what you have, and remember aluminum wire is much weaker than galvanized wire with copper wire being somewhere in between.

[@vantruongngu9414]

olga alvarez ewgfbfgb

[@Emilia-ed2mf]

Hi, I'm from Poland!!!!

[@Yanislow]

what is the diametre of aluminium wire you advice ?( sorry I'm French xD )

[@rosekay6570]

18mm is a great start

[@sahilkumar-bk8qf]

Very good my sun

[@TheBroodingTom]

Thank you!

[@nityaanandkumar793]

Sun nahi son

[@laurencesanchez7770]

Iys hard very hard to do but I make it

[@Mahendraart]

NicE video NicE art #mahendraart

[@alialialiali8723]

Part 2 for other animal

[@mrs.renuverma144]

Ali ali Ali ali

[@meireoliveira3792]

Lindo parabéns

[@iancunha6874]

Q bom q vc colocou a legenda em pt