Sculpting Miniatuers - Cloth Forms Over Anatomy

This technique shows how to create interesting folds and clothing while staying true to the underlying anatomy of the miniature.
Medium:
FIMO
Tools:
Wax #5
Colour Shaper Flat Chisel Size 0 Firm
Website: masonstudios.blogspot.com/
Twitter: / puttypusher
Facebook: / tom.mason.796

[@TomMasonSculptor]

The material is FIMO and I add fresh material to the unbaked surface material. I only bake the miniature once when I am finished. However sometimes afterward I will add some details using putty. Hope this helps and thanks for asking!

[@MrGrondus]

Tom Mason thanks for answer!

[@willywhitten4918]

Hi Tom, I have been a sculptor all my life. I worked in the film industry in the 80's and 90's. I went on to doing bronze later in my career. But I have enjoyed watching your teaching videos. The size of the figures you do is tiny! My miniatures are a larger scale generally. Thanks for some interesting tutorials and inspiration. ~Willy \\][//

[@TomMasonSculptor]

Thank you for all the kind comments Willy. Quite an honor coming from someone with your experience.

[@jeremygrefe3673]

Hi TOM.I like the new cam angle-the lighting seems to be brighter also.I like also that you lowered the back ground music! THANKS FOR ALL YOUR COOL VIDEOS!

[@TomMasonSculptor]

+Jeremy Grefe thanks for the kind comments!

[@MulkEntertainment]

Yes! Finally a female Miniature! I love your videos. The amount of detail you manage to bring to these tiny things is incredible

[@TomMasonSculptor]

+MulkEntertainment thank you! I️ have a fun concept for another female miniature I️ hope to do in the near future.

[@musclecar6630]

Brilliant series of videos. Learned tons of new things that add more and more realism to my miniatures. Thanks so much

[@TomMasonSculptor]

+Joe Thompson thanks!

[@shinrido]

I like the new camera angle! Was watching the belt and buckle tutorial and really couldn't see what you were doing. This angle is MUCH better. Thanks for another awesome tutorial.

[@TomMasonSculptor]

shinrido good to hear! I'm going to play with the lighting a bit still as it seemed slightly washed out at times, but all in all I think this looks much better.

[@willywhitten4918]

I use a magnifying lamp for doing small pieces. You could use one from time to time to show your detail work when you have finished a piece. You don't have to turn on the ring lamp on the magnifying set-up. You can still use directional lighting to get your shadows and such. Hope it's okay that I make a few suggestions. Thanks again for your dedication in teaching! \\][//

[@TomMasonSculptor]

Thanks Willy!

[@jack1701e]

Honestly this channel has been very helpful to me as I get an interest in giving sculpting a go. I know I wont be that good at all but from what I see it's similar to drawing, just in three dimensions. I feel hopeful!

[@TomMasonSculptor]

You're exactly right. In fact, for me it was actually easier than drawing since you are working in a true 3D environment rather than simulating 3D.

[@oldbaldfatman2766]

Jan. 2018---Thanks for the video. Getting into zombie/apocalypse dioramas in 1/35th scale and will be using Master Box's pinup girls set for many of the women in the dioramas. Started working on one of them last week and have removed her swimsuit top and bottom parts. Then wondered how I'd get some pants, shirt, etc. on her....this video shows me how.

[@TomMasonSculptor]

Since you're modifying existing models, thin layers will be key. Good luck!

[@JosephNastasi]

Have you done a video on large coats like Napoleonic winter coats or cowboy dusters? It'd be greatly appreciated if you cover this subject!

[@Samsyogalife]

How does the figure bake with a greenstuff core? Does it not melt inside? Also in other videos you use a mix of fimo and putty? Which do you prefer? Thanks

[@mandiraashok]

Hi Tom, I’ve just discovered your videos and they’re really informative! Thank you so much. I just wanted to know if you bake the basic anatomy before adding clothing, so that it doesn’t all shift about? I’m trying this for the first time (using sculpey ) and I went for a 70 mm size just to make it easier. But that meant adding a lot more clay to build up the anatomy, and now when I try to add clothes and hair, I find I’m distorting the shape below. Should I bake the base, or do I just need a lighter touch?

[@TomMasonSculptor]

I don't bake my sculpts until I am completely finished sculpting them. So there is only one bake. However, on larger figures like you're doing, it is very hard to do this. You can bake more than once if you feel that helps. But what I have done is bulked up the initial armature with more greenstuff in the beginning. That helps stabilize the armature and you don't have to bake. Then I skin the under structure as normal and add my FIMO. You can try out both techniques and see which you prefer.

[@learntoomuch]

Thank you, clothes is what I've been waiting for. Thank you for the start here. On another note, I saw you dwarf on your site, how would you say you handle the miniature wires for something like a dwarf? ( being as they are shorter, but bulky )

[@TomMasonSculptor]

Jeremy Cote great question! I used to teach a sculpting class dedicated solely to sculpting dwarfs. They definitely have unique proportions. It's a bit much to get into that with a comment, but I'll add it to the list and make a video on it in the near future. Thanks!

[@learntoomuch]

Tom Mason Wonderful, that sounds like a great class.

[@MrGrondus]

Tom , sorry for the stupid question (english is difficult to perceive by ear) . You put a new layer on baked, or fresh material? It seems that so easily sticks to the old layer ...Or is it a feature of Fimo ? Thank.

[@joecohn2063]

Hey Tom, what is the green surface you have prepared on your wooden vises?

[@TomMasonSculptor]

That is a thin layer of Greenstuff. I like to add it to the bases since it is more durable and smooth.

[@halkeye20]

what's the best way to do an open coat? like someone pulling something out of the inner jacket

[@TomMasonSculptor]

I'd focus on making the 2 sides of the front 2 separate pieces or panels of clay. Cut them to shape and blend them together in the back later. As with most sculpting tips, it's easier to show than tell ;)

[@halkeye20]

thank you.

[@bmatiucci]

hi, what's this putty? is it a super sulpey? thanks in advance

[@TomMasonSculptor]

Bruno Matiucci the material is FIMO classic. Thanks!

[@bmatiucci]

+Tom Mason thaaanks, awesome work!!!!

[@habilidoso]

What material is this?

[@TomMasonSculptor]

FIMO Professional

[@habilidoso]

Thanks!

[@myfreaesthetics]

Durepoxy?

[@TomMasonSculptor]

I believe Greenstuff is call Durepoxy in Europe.