What is Sculpting?
Large sculptures are erected to honour and represent powerful figures. They are a timeless way to show generations to come exactly who was significant and important in a particular era. A sculpture may be small and personal or it may gain international accreditation. Famous sculptures bring people flocking from all over the world. The Statue of Liberty in New York, The David in Italy and Christ the Redeemer in Brazil are all monumental statues.
Though, sculptures can be found on a much smaller scale, too. Artists like Picasso and Andy Warhol project their own unique spin on their sculptures.
We know that sculptures can withstand the test of time. In fact, the oldest known sculpture still around today was a nude woman built in the Stone Age (around 28,000-25,000 BC!)
If you want to try your hand at sculpting, let’s start small and work our way up to Statue of Liberty replicas! First of all, decide which material you’d prefer to use: clay, wood, rocks, metal or something else?! In this sculpting tutorial, we’ll look at how beginners can make a clay sculpture at home with a few basic materials.
Sculpting Tutorial for Beginners
In this tutorial, you’ll see that sculpting for beginners is a hobby you can get on board with. Moulding clay into a figure that no longer resembles a blob of mud can be a messy job, so prepare your work space with the necessary protection! I’d advise throwing a sheet of plastic over any surfaces, and wearing old clothes or aprons to keep your clothes mud-free.
There are a few different types of clay you can choose to work with. Let’s take a look at them so you can decide which type to go for.
Oil-based modelling clay
This clay can be a good starting point for beginners. It stays soft for long so you can mould and re-mould as much as you need to, covering up any mistakes along the way! It’s not so good if you want to build detailed work, but great for a simple starting point.
Polymer-based modelling clay
Just as soft as oil-based clay, this is a workable material that you’ll be able to create simple shapes with. You can bake it in your kitchen oven to harden it before painting, though it’s prone to cracking.
Firing clay
Firing clay, or “pottery”, is a water-based material. You can shape it and then fire it at temperatures above 250 degrees C to make your sculpture stay firm. This is the type of clay used on a spinning potter’s wheel, and it’s often found in household ceramics.
Sculpting for Beginners: Before you start
Before you start, you’ll need some tools and materials (including clay, of course!) Once we’ve gone over an ideal starter pack for sculpting for beginners, we can discuss the precautions and steps you need to think about before you dig right in and begin modelling the clay!
Sculpting tools for beginners:
- Soft, wet modelling clay. We’re going to make hand-made sculptures without the spinning wheel, so no need for firing clay!
- Copper wire
- A board to work on
- Metal sculpting tools, so you can make indents, scratches and detail
- Wooden tools
Now that you have your tools and your clay in front of you, you’ll probably want to create a beautiful vase or a chubby clay elephant. Hang tight for a little longer, here are some tips for the aspiring sculptor:
- Envision how the piece will look. Use some artistic references for inspiration, and technical references for measurements and scale. Sketch up the sculpture from various angles so you can be sure it will look good when viewed from any side.
- Check the clay. Wet clay is easier to work with and won’t crack as much. You can test the wetness by rolling the clay in your palms so it makes a cylinder shape. Try bending the cylinder in a u-bend. If it cracks or breaks, add more water.
- Take a short course. This sculpting tutorial might give you the inspiration to start working with clay, but it’s always good to get some face-to-face teaching. A sculpting course can help you decide if this hobby is for you, before you go out and buy a few pounds of clay! Not only that, but you’ll gain some useful techniques to take home with you.
When you start making models from clay, you’ll be able to apply tricks and techniques to get the outcome you want. One thing to bear in mind throughout the process is “wetness”. The clay shouldn’t be too wet or too dry! Once you create a base sculpture, give it some time to dry a little. This way, it’s not too squishy when you come to add more pieces to it. A good idea is to keep water in a spray bottle, then you can add light mist as required.
Why Should you try Sculpting?
Preserve the tradition
Sculpting is one of the oldest art forms. In today’s world, it’s rare for people to have a hobby that involves creating art and being crafty with their hands. Most art is made with the click of a mouse and a computer!
Remove yourself from the digital world and get down and dirty with a bag of clay. You’ll be building something unique and traditional, and helping the people you know to appreciate a different type of art and culture.
Stimulate your creativity
Making sculptures is a great way to allow your creativity to run wild. At the same time, you have to be somewhat strategic and logical to ensure your sculpture is put together properly. This is a way to improve connections in the brain, whilst developing your visualisation and interpretation skills.
You’ll find that as your skills develop, you’ll build confidence and find new ways to express yourself. Making sculptures keeps your concentration skills intact and helps you maintain focus on tasks.
Get the kids involved
Clay has always been a popular choice with kids. They’re introduced to Play-Doh at an early age – so I wouldn’t be surprised if your kids pick up sculpting before you do! It’s a completely safe activity and a great option for a rainy day.
While the kids are having fun, they’re also improving their hand-eye coordination skills as well as their creativity and logistical mind. Children that are brought up with arts and crafts are more likely to be innovative and able to think outside the box.
Sculpting can help people with dementia
A PhD researcher from Kent University carried out a research project in which she worked with people in the early stages of dementia. The patients participated in sculpting activities, including clay and papier-mâché. The researcher found that sculpting helped those with dementia to realise their creative potential and showcase their beliefs and personalities.
According to another study, sculpting and other forms of art can lower the risk of developing the first signs of dementia by 73%. Taking part in art can develop motor skills and improve memory.
Earning Money from your Sculptures
The question on our lips is: Can you make money from your sculptures? The answer, you’ll be happy to hear, is yes! Art, as a profession, lacks job security and the typical benefits you get with some other jobs. But, if you have a passion for sculpting and you want to turn it into a career, there are ways to do that. Though you may have to be prepared to go down multiple different avenues to make a living wage.
Sell your art
Being able to sell enough art to make enough money is the dream! It can be achievable, but it’s rare that you’ll be able to rely solely on this. You can sell your art through online sales. Set up a website or sell through eBay and auction off your unique work. If it’s good enough, you could get buyers clicking away ferociously in order to be the winning bidder!
You can also sell your art to clients in person. Whether this means starting off small and setting up a stall at your local market, or taking the leap and making sales to sophisticated art galleries, there’s a lot of satisfaction to be gained when you see someone enjoying your work.
To grab people’s attention, your art should be different and even a bit weird. In most workplaces and schools, it pays to fit in and be normal. This doesn’t apply to the art world. The weirder the better!
Become a teacher
Aspiring sculptors all need a little help along the way. You should be able to give something back, especially as you probably needed some help when you were just starting out! As a teacher, you can take a guest spot in an art and design class, or set up your own independent classes.
Setting up your own classes can be a fun venture. You’ll have to fork out for the supplies and some sort of studio, but you’ll be able to create weekly classes and you can charge people in bulk for a full course! You’ll get paid, and get to see someone go from beginner to expert sculptor thanks to your guidance!
If you’re really good, you might get the chance to work on huge, famous projects! Sculptors are called upon when a city or a place wants to create something unique. It is a way to honour a local hero or just attract more visitors. Kneading some clay and beginning with that cute chubby elephant could be the first steps you need to take!
