Sculpting an Elephant, part 1: Armature!

Hello and welcome to a new crafting project where I'm attempting to sculpt an elephant using polymer clay! In this video I build the armature for this elephant... it's not much to start with but as this new video series advances you'll see everything thing that went into sculpting this!
This is a physical subject sculpting challenge for me (just like the Tiger's Face project) meaning I'm using an unknown artist's work as a "guide" to help me make this elephant. Normally a sculptor would take photos of the subject from many angles and then scale all the proportions down to much smaller (unless they're going for life sized!) One day I'll take photos of something and attempt scaling the proportions down but for now I'm doing this lol.
I use 14 gauge galvanized wire for the main structure and 18 gauge galvanized wire to tie it all together. In the next video I'll be working with the heavy-duty foil and tape, sure hope to see you there too!!!
Thanks for watching, reading this, and being patient.. Life comes at you fast at times... Also, editing 4k is still terrible with my rig... not gonna lie it's pushed me away from youtube a little, but I'm working to fix this. I just want to make videos, but I REFUSE to move backwards! I've gotten me a 4k tv to be used as a display panel, which was one of my problems being I couldn't even sample the content I created! Now over time I'm either rebuilding my PC (doubt it) or buying a preleased workstation PC (used) until then I'll just keep at it
A friendly tip for those who wish to film 4k video... get the computer FIRST, then the camera and monitor AFTER... otherwise you'll most likely hate editing... depending on the state of your current PC that is..
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Please be kind to all kitty cats worldwide lol

[@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?

[@heartlessanedes9509]

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

[@iamchriss77]

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

[@jennifert142]

I love your art. Thank you for your videos.

[@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!!!

[@ConghungartArtist82]

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

[@kayla3972]

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

[@sculpturesbyC.D.]

Beautiful. Love it.

[@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!

[@renae4]

dude, your voice is so calming.

[@gerbendenheeten6905]

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

[@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

[@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 ;-)

[@nanawenty]

Thank you to share this with us

[@savas6142]

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

[@venugopalimmadi7118]

Great work. Very helpful

[@karenescalera8193]

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

[@luln5122]

Thank you so much. very helpful video.

[@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?

[@alialialiali8723]

Very nice

[@user-vw7zk9bs3c]

excellent tutorial

[@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.

[@srilekhalekha3395]

Awesome 😱😱

[@blacklovereditz7064]

excellent!👌👌👌👌

[@SusanRoseArt]

So helpful, thank you. 😊

[@edwardjohnodes2182]

Great work !! Love this 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@joepiusthunderbolt2167]

Very interesting

[@santoshsharma355]

I really appreciate that

[@Noone-kr1wg]

Yey! Been waiting for your next piece. :) Can't wait to see more.

[@admvloge4502]

Very very good

[@marthaimler7264]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@bambori85]

Awesome video!

[@chandramohan6142]

Amazing

[@shebaloytapashtapash60]

Beautiful

[@TheBroodingTom]

Thank you.

[@ritommajumder8753]

Wonderful, Excellent, amazing, superb

[@vfctamilchannel3931]

Awesome

[@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.

[@alexandervillanueva5655]

There are kids who love this

[@ashadowintime7305]

not just kids

[@rebdulah8001]

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

[@sumayyakp8908]

Explanation 👌

[@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

[@lindachiang5064]

Hi this is so beautiful I just love it👌😊

[@toiletdeepdiver9125]

Super Teaching Videos and a Great Style .....Thank you so Much !!!!!!!

[@sunandaguin7015]

Very good

[@sculpturesbyC.D.]

👍I'm thinking of making an elephant.

[@TheBroodingTom]

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

[@icecreamprincess000]

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

[@TheBroodingTom]

+Floraphine Thanks I very much appreciate that!!!

[@amolumre9247]

Good

[@bengalipujaparban2805]

Nice

[@meganporter3764]

What was the length of each side on your drawing?

[@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.

[@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~ 😊👍

[@vishwanathnagmal4908]

खूपच सुंदर

[@ashokb9456]

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

[@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.

[@soroushcruise9864]

Is possible to use paper clay?

[@thummalapelly]

where did you get that first white toy.?

[@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!

[@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

[@artsculpture1024]

Wonderful channel, I subscribed.

[@naydias]

lindo!

[@00Lecs00]

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

[@meireoliveira3792]

Lindo parabéns

[@dipanshusingh8722]

Nice video

[@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

[@iancunha6874]

Q bom q vc colocou a legenda em pt

[@sheldonjoby7186]

awsome

[@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!

[@preetipausarya747]

I love elephants

[@belovedofkrishnanaveenbhat2910]

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

[@TheBroodingTom]

Thank you for the kind words. :D

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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 😅✌

[@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.

[@guptadilip6388]

l laiked

[@savas6142]

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

[@legolas...]

*-പൊളിച്ഛ്-*

[@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??

[@PePsiiiHoLiC]

Can you give me the measurements

[@Mahendraart]

NicE video NicE art #mahendraart

[@ukkchannel7715]

nic

[@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

[@laurencesanchez7770]

Iys hard very hard to do but I make it

[@sahilkumar-bk8qf]

Very good my sun

[@TheBroodingTom]

Thank you!

[@nityaanandkumar793]

Sun nahi son

[@heatherherrmann1777]

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

[@reeyakazi3449]

nyc

[@alialialiali8723]

Part 2 for other animal

[@mrs.renuverma144]

Ali ali Ali ali

[@nicolemeeh2975]

🌹✨💞🙏🌌

[@Yanislow]

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

[@rosekay6570]

18mm is a great start

[@iamchriss77]

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

[@BelmontsClayArt]

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

[@rineshthegaming6137]

LOL

[@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”

[@verikaika6026]

Keren

[@lunar_thesillystar]

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.

[@katieskraftykorner2842]

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

[@kathyrodriguez6544]

I want to try to to that

[@FrankJGomez]

His videos are c ool