Sculpting On A Budget - Sculpting - Part 1

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Sculpting the way I started out sculpting! The aim of this short series is to show you guys how I started out sculpting in my apartment bedroom in Oslo, with no studio or much resources to speak of. Sculpting like this for years eventually led to a portfolio of sculptures with which I applied and was accepted to The Florence Academy of Art. Here is how you can go about it and get somewhere with limited resources.
Patreon: / eirikarnesen
Instagram: / eirik_arnesen_art
Facebook: / eirikarnesenart
Website: www.eirikarnesen.com/
Silicone:
Silicone I use:
silicones.elkem.com/EN/our_of...
Alternatives:
shop.sculpt.com/resilpom-resi...
shop.sculpt.com/smooth-on-poy...
Mother mold material I use:
shop.sculpt.com/aquaresin-aqu...
shop.sculpt.com/aquaresin-aqu...
shop.sculpt.com/aquaresin-aqu...
Sculpting tools:
tiranti.co.uk/
www.sculpt.com/
My name is Eirik Arnesen, I'm a sculptor from Norway, living and working in Florence, Italy. I teach sculpture at the Florence Academy of Art and on this channel I'll share with you every step of my process, discussing materials, tools and techniques.
Eventually you'll find tutorials on how I go about sculpting everything from a portrait to a life-size figure. I hope you enjoy the videos, please consider subscribing to the channel if you do and click the link to my Patreon to support the continued making of these videos.
Music:
Orange Jasper by Sarah, The Illstrumentalist
www.epidemicsound.com/track/L...
Licensed from Epidemic Sound

[@xiaoming4203]

hey man just wanna say i really appreciate you taking your time making these videos! just bought my first clay online!

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Hello and thank you! You are most welcome! That is awesome, let me know how it goes!

[@juliencousinard1414]

So, how did it go ?

[@sistersaiavissira6180]

I'm moved by your story and stilled by your work. Bravo!

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you 🙂

[@mervesahin5570]

Hey, thank you for making these videos! I made my first sculptures last week (just the head) and I'm questioning myself why I didn't sculpt before! It's like meditation for my soul and eyes. I'm going to do my first female body this week, so excited 😊

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you! I'm happy to hear that. Good luck with the female form, it's subtle which makes it difficult so keep you eyes open and observe a lot!

[@kyliel7021]

So excited to make a super strong armature and I have some beautiful blocks of stained wood too. I have just been sculpting without one and mostly just the torso and female form but I recently did a female and a male. Thank you, your so inspiring!

[@EirikArnesenArt]

That's good to hear! Keep going and good luck! 🙂

[@kaiba_supporter]

Genuinely loved watching this, I know it wasn’t a lesson or teaching video but I genuinely feel like I learned so much from just watching you, this was amazing thank you

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@yinyang6313]

Thank you for sharing all this.very helpful and informative.

[@EirikArnesenArt]

You are welcome!

[@thatlovelydancerIlao]

Thank you for these learning vids full of info. I am a new subby and venturing into more creative ways to Express my art and this confirms my vision. Thanks again. Great vid

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you!

[@mayrakopjansen2814]

You’re amazing Thanks for sharing these videos with us 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍👍👍👍

[@EirikArnesenArt]

My pleasure!!

[@zulfigarali8813]

You are a renewed artist, thanks for the effort you made for us

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you 🙂

[@atelier2685]

great work! thank you for your sharing!

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you!

[@emanueleleschiera5171]

Thanks for sharing us Erick, you made beautiful works I like your pieces! Congratulation!

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you for the kind words! You are most welcome!

[@sharonbean3680]

So glad I found your channel😀

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you!

[@o0olamiso0o]

Amazing Channel! Please keep making more videos

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you!

[@artziegler2715]

Great information. I'm a new subscriber and was wondering why you do the build up in small pieces as opposed to starting with big pieces to give quick volume and then do small pieces for detail? Love your channel. I'll binge watch on the weekend.

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you! The application of clay has no right or wrong really, only preference. I prefer small pieces so I can build up volume slowly and correct as I go along. Big pieces of clay sometimes get me in trouble. The pieces of clay do get smaller as the desicions get smaller however.

[@jyotiverma3768]

Amazing work

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you!

[@parisatavakoli9674]

Amazing tutorials😍😍

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you! I'm glad you like them.

[@gipsybulldog3286]

I'm ordering some clay today. Wish me luck. And yes, your art is so good. I wish you luck in next pieces and in your life :)

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you! Good luck and enjoy sculpting!

[@Indevor]

Great work Eirik and thank you for sharing this with us. I wonder what type of super glue you used to fix your armature to the black block? it's very steady.

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you! It's not super glue, it's epoxy glue. It's much stronger and requires two different components mixed together in order to set up. It's also somewhat flexible so it doesn't crack or break as easy as super glue.

[@everydayistacotuesday9847]

holy shit you're extremely underrated. commenting in hope that this at least slightly helps you with the algorithm.

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you! For the algorithm!!

[@achhonkar]

Awesome!

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you!

[@seikore]

I'm just writing a comment for the algorithm. I love your art man

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you brother! All bow for the Almighty Algorithm!

[@tierraviva1085]

thx a lot for sharing so much, greetings from mexico, i´m suscribing!

[@EirikArnesenArt]

You are welcome! Thank you for subscribing!

[@sofiaskar]

Gratulation. Thank you

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you! You are welcome.

[@zeynepgedikoglu9546]

Great video. Thank you very much. I would like to know the wire details? Thicknesses? May I use air dry clay on them? As well, I wonder how you make your sculptures stay put on a display? I have a hard time fixating mine if they don't stand by themselves. Would these wires help? Thanks

[@EirikArnesenArt]

These wires will help the sculpture from falling over. Exact thickness is not so important, these are probably a few millimeters thick. I would not use air drying clay, it will shrink and is likely to crack. Either use Super Sculpey and bake it in your oven or use oil-based clay and leave it sitting. The wires are aluminum armature wire. You can find link to places to buy the wire in my FAQ: www.patreon.com/posts/54343994

[@user-bn8zg1ey9i]

wow!! your skill is amazing can i ask to you? what kind of do you use clay? air dry?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you! This is oil-based clay, it doesn't dry out. I do use water-based clay as well but I never let it dry out. I make a mold of it and cast copies in a different material. There are many videos here on the channel showing this process.

[@bladerunnerup]

It is very helpful for me. I watched the 1st and 2nd part. I would like to see the 3rd part of this video series but I could not find. It is very disappointing for me

[@EirikArnesenArt]

There is no 3rd part! I will make more videos like this at some point in the future! Stay tuned!

[@nissassagame]

Hello Eirik, I really enjoy your videos. I'm wondering if you have recommendations for a beginner kit? Thank you!

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Get some oil-based clay and some aluminum armature wire, perhaps a tool or two. That's all you need.

[@thebradelonge5758]

@@EirikArnesenArt May I know what clay you're using in this video?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

I think it's Cavant NSP Medium.

[@thebradelonge5758]

@@EirikArnesenArt Thank you ! I love your art

[@lkenady52]

Loved the watch. Beautiful figure!

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you!

[@m.djordjevic]

I have a question ... do you let the sculpture dry on its own or "bake" it in the oven (because I saw it somewhere) and can the sculpture be painted (if so, are any special colors used?)

[@EirikArnesenArt]

No I make a mold and cast the sculpture in a different material that I can paint if I want to. Check out the latest video on the channel to learn more.

[@nsrstudio7301]

Nice sculpt..

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you!

[@okidokicreations1075]

Bravo

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you.

[@tommillman8916]

Can I have a link to the next in this series? I’m having problems finding part 2? Thanks you so much for sharing this, I’m coming back to clay sculpting after 30 years of office work and this is helping so much!

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Hello Tom. Sorry I never made Part 2, think I caught a bad flu during this and lost interest in the sculpture, that's my bad. There are a lot more stuff like this on the channel that you can watch and learn from for free, and I also have a Patreon page where you watch longer and more in-depth tutorials for a small charge. Hope you like some of the videos and good luck sculpting! Welcome back to it 🙂

[@tommillman8916]

@@EirikArnesenArt thanks Erik, I am actually going to do the Patreon beginners videos, many thanks

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Awesome! Hope you enjoy them and learn something 🙂

[@valt8288]

I have a question. I see your technique is mostly adding little bits of clay to the armature, id like to try such a technique aswell, seems very smart, im a very much of a beginner so i dont know will i be able to make it work, but then i was wondering would it even work in my case. I use DAS air-dry clay and it tends to dry out rather quickly so im not quite sure would using this technique work for me. Do you have any experience with air-dry clay and this method of sculpting?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Hello. I would suggest moving to a clay that's a little bit better for figure sculpture first and foremost. If realism or representational sculpture is what you are after I think you'll find that you'll be limited by that material. Try using an oil-based clay/plasteline if you plan to work small or a water-based terracotta clay if you plan on working large. I have a little experience with air-drying clays and I don't think they are ideal for this kind of work and in most cases a hinderance. I have more information regarding materials I recommend if you are interested in doing similar work to the kind I do. Here is a link, the post is free: www.patreon.com/posts/54343994

[@valt8288]

@@EirikArnesenArt thanks!

[@freeNode5]

are metal rigs safe to use in clay that you cure in an oven?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

No, not this clay at least. Some polymer clay like Super Sculpey can be fired with an armature inside.

[@sinisterclyde356]

I've been sculpting for about 30 years yet to do a body..always hands..skulls..and hearts and emblem type stuff..I've done wings..but..as a artist do I need to do a human relationship to?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

You can sculpt whatever you want to! You will work the way you practice so practice what you want to make art of.

[@rupamsaikiah2579]

Please make a video on books for learning sculpture . please reply 🍁🍁🍁.

[@EirikArnesenArt]

I can try but there really isn't that many good ones out there! Look up Eduard Lanteri and Robert Bodem.

[@gan_luo1909]

is the part 2 coming up?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

No there is no part 2 to this one. Took it as far as I wanted and kind of lost the fire for this particular sculpture. I'll do more small maquettes like this in the future!

[@jeremiemartin9063]

What type/format of metal is used for the armature?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

It's aluminum armature wire.

[@senem1769]

Hi, what clay would you use for a larger scale model?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Hello, I use water-based clay. Smooth terracotta clay to be exact.

[@senem1769]

@@EirikArnesenArt cool thank you

[@senem1769]

@@EirikArnesenArt love your work👍

[@thirtyoneseventeen6402]

Hii may i know what type of clay that you use? Is it air dry?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

This is oil-based clay, it never dries out.

[@Famous3st]

Hello, you are amazing. Was the material you worked with in the video clay or plasticine?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Hello and thank you! This is plasticine, though I work with clay as well on larger pieces.

[@Famous3st]

@@EirikArnesenArt Do you think it is possible to study anatomy with plasticine at the initial stage?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Certainly! Plasticine is a good material to work with!

[@Famous3st]

@@EirikArnesenArt Thank you very much!!EİRİK ARNESEN❤️😍

[@1977TA]

Is it possible to purchase pre-made armatures?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

I've never done it but I'm pretty sure I've seen them around! So yes, probably.

[@banana7558]

How much was the clay you're using? Clay here in the Philippines is expensive so I can barely finish my first project

[@EirikArnesenArt]

This is just one small 1 kg block of clay. Think it's less than 10 Dollars.

[@ignisking759]

Ahh, so oil based is a must as opposed to water based if say you're working in a room with no ventilation? I was thinking of trying something called Monster Clay that is popular right now for making some sculptures at home since I don't have anything like a studio environment. I'm just worried I'll buy it and my inexperience will ruin my attempts as I'm used to water based clay from art studio courses I took, plus the stuff is pricey for just 5 lbs and I'm used to making permanent clay pieces.

[@DaPreach90]

Oil based clay is great for practice. After making a sculpture with natural clay I decided to get oil based because if you don't like your results you can melt it down and try again or make something else. Monster clay is great but you can get plastalina cheaper.

[@ignisking759]

@@DaPreach90 I heard of people mentioning plastalina, but when I look it up it's not a single brand but a term used in the product title. Hmm, so how does clean up go for a full sculpture built with wire and stuff like foil go for zero loss? I imagine tearing it apart and throwing the stuff in a microwave doesn't work too well.

[@DaPreach90]

I cut the clay from the armature. I use a heat gun and a clay cutter. There could be better/easier ways as I'm still learning and figuring it out as I go.

[@ignisking759]

@@DaPreach90 Alright. Oh, about plastalina, can you verify the brand bit I'm confused about? I'm still hesitant on biting the bullet for monster clay as I want pick the "best" clay so I don't burn away my wallet(art hobbies get expensive fast regarding quality materials).

[@DaPreach90]

@@ignisking759 Plastilina is the type of clay, you may also see it called plasteline. You can find it in a number of brands and price will vary. Van Aken, Roma, and Chavant are some brands. You may need to shop around as some brands like Chavant are more expensive than Monster Clay. Sargent Art Plastilina is fairly affordable.

[@NaldzHobbySide]

i also sculpting but im using polymer clay., im still learning

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Polymer clay is nice! I used it a lot before I started doing bigger pieces that wouldn't fit in the oven.

[@yvonnehellman6661]

Can I see full patreon videos on KZbin on my tv

[@EirikArnesenArt]

I have never done it so I'm not sure. If you connect your pc to your tv using an hdmi-cabel it will work or use your tv's browser to open Patreon then I think it should work.

[@hugossketchbook9754]

How much clay do you use in a small sculpture like this?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Maybe on block of Chavant at most. Probably a bit less.

[@hugossketchbook9754]

@@EirikArnesenArt Thanks Erik!

[@cchemmes-seeseeart3948]

what are you putting on the armature?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

It says in the video

[@lizzieyeehaw5016]

What is the clay you are using? Is it like pottery clay or is it like sculpie?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

This is Chavant NSP Medium, it's an oil-based clay. I think they make primarily for sculpting. I also use regular terracotta clay which you can use for pottery! Some clays are better for sculpting then others, you'd want one that dries very slowly, carries it's own weight well, and if you want to make sculpture similar to me you probably want a fairly smooth clay as well.

[@lizzieyeehaw5016]

@@EirikArnesenArt I have some terra cotta … but it has to be fired… is that the kind you mean? I’m trying to find an acceptable clay that does not have to be fired… for some large heads…. Any ideas greatly appreciated?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Your two options are firing or making a mold. I don't think you'll an air drying clay of decent quality, I certainly have never heard of one. You could sculpt it in oil-based clay and leave it. It will be fine but fragile.

[@piyalibango6375]

How to remove the sculpture from the armature stand?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

I never do it so I don't know how to do it! You should look up Beth Cavener. She makes very complicated pieces that she hollows and fires in a kiln.

[@sinistaofficial2529]

Can I use terracotta clay this way ?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

You probably can but sculpting this small means the clay will dry out pretty fast. I would suggest sculpting a little larger if you're using water-based clay!

[@yvonnehellman6661]

Can I see patron videos on KZbin on my tv

[@EirikArnesenArt]

You should be able to.

[@jeremyjdl713]

Where did you get the lazy Susan? Is it aluminum?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

I have to admit I don't know! I don't remember. It's very heavy so I think it's steel or something. I think it's a turntable for ceramicist to turn bowls on.

[@jeremyjdl713]

@@EirikArnesenArt I found it on The Ceramic Shop dot com. Ordered the 9 7/8” one. Your work is amazing btw!

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Oh that's awesome! I don't use it very much anymore but I used it a lot back in the day! Thank you very much 🙂!

[@christopherhanson9578]

What camera do you use ?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

This is old so I used a Canon 6D Mark 2. Now I use Panasonic S5.

[@mariarodrigues2728]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you!

[@moyahuizar618]

What clay are u using

[@EirikArnesenArt]

This is Chavant NSP Medium. It's oil-based clay.

[@lokjitsarma7336]

One question is there that how can i make permanent sculpture? Please answer me!🙏

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Two options that I know of. You can fire a clay sculpture, like firing a terracotta bowl. Or you can make a mold and cast. You will find tutorials for mold making and casting on my channel. I do not fire my work and don't know how to do so unfortunately. But you can see how to make molds and cast in a permanent material here on my channel 🙂

[@lokjitsarma7336]

@@EirikArnesenArt thanks for your suggestion and helping me out ❤❤

[@lokjitsarma7336]

One little question is there, can you answer me that how to do molding on budget or cheap method? Because I am the beginner in this field, so I don't want to go with expansive stuffs I just want to clear the basics, so can you help me in this?

[@lokjitsarma7336]

Which clay do you use?

[@jamesepinckney5786]

Does it work on modeling clay ?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Yes it will work with any clay.

[@jamesepinckney5786]

@@EirikArnesenArt ok thanks

[@sinisterclyde356]

What if I just wanna do bust style sculpts..

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Then you can do that! I have videos on portraits as well.

[@AhmedHamdi-uv5pt]

What kind of clay is that?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

I say it in the video, it's Chavant.

[@AhmedHamdi-uv5pt]

Where i can get it ?!

[@EirikArnesenArt]

It's probably on Amazon, Tiranti in the UK sells and ships internationally.

[@michalopaleny9553]

Whats the name of the clay?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Chavant NSP Medium.

[@michalopaleny9553]

@@EirikArnesenArt thank you

[@huldabjerkaker8997]

Hvilken leire bruker du?

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Det er en lokal terracotta leire fra Toscana. Usikker pa om den har noe navn.

[@mahmutaliyev3112]

🇦🇿❤️👍

[@EirikArnesenArt]

🙂🙏

[@owlytedailer-sg5cq]

Dude wtf was that background music

[@cocopuffs8646]

Good job and unique style but I really don’t like this It looks like a poop

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Haha thank you! I'm not in love with this sculpture either. Probably the worst thing I've sculpted on KZbin but somehow one of the most popular videos. The internet is a mysterious place.

[@Ulujmf]

This guy should just stop talking jeez

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Haha! It is an instructional video so some instructions are bound to happen. You can turn off the audio if you like :)

[@brewster9235]

Just want to add that I hope comments like these don’t happen often. Your voice over is incredibly helpful. I seriously don’t understand why people even have to make these comments. Thank you for your videos, and I hope you continue to make content the way you want to :)

[@nehasehrawat1025]

holy shit you're extremely underrated. commenting in hope that this at least slightly helps you with the algorithm.

[@EirikArnesenArt]

Thank you! For the All Mighty Algorithm!!