Clive's Second Attempt at a Scratch-Sculpted Figure

Just when you thought it was safe to come out from behind the sofa, here I am again with another essay in putty-mangling!

This one differs a little from the previous one I did, in that the armature is formed from thinner, yet stiffer 'stem wire' - apparently used by flower-arrangers (not my game I hasten to add) but nevertheless available from Hobby Craft.

First off, though, another head had to be sculpted from Fimo and baked... and here it is!



So, to the body bit. I won't bore you with an armature shot, as it's no different to the previous one I did apart from the different thickness of wire used.



I was looking to produce a passenger figure slouched casually on a bench, legs outstretched and crossed slightly, with hands clasped behind his head. A bit like this in fact:



In trimming the wire to the correct length for the arms, I was conscious of the fact that on my first attempt, I felt the arms were slightly too long, so I was determined to try and correct that this time round. To that end, I placed both figures side-by-side on the bench, so as to try and make a better judgement:



Then the bulking up could begin, as before:



I got a bit lairy (as we say round here) and thought it might be a neat trick to try and sculpt the hands in Fimo, with the interlacing fingers like you do when you put your hands behind your head. It was a bit fiddly, and I think the guy has a little finger missing but not too noticeable. I hit a minor problem in that when I baked the figure again (including the head for a second time) the head developed a small crack under the chin and down the back of the neck. Fortunately it will be relatively easy to fill that. Anyway, here's how the clasped hands look behind the head:



So that's where I am with it so far. A bit more bulking up round the legs might be beneficial, but not too bad. However, I now have to think about how to 'dress' this character.

clive_t wrote:

Just when you thought it was safe to come out from behind the sofa, here I am again with another essay in putty-mangling!

I wonder what he's saying to her...or him?


It's fascinating watching these figures 'mature' Clive. Thanks for keeping a photographic record that we can all enjoy.

It's gonna be a 'him'. I would anticipate having to tread extremely carefully the day I attempt my first ever sculpture of a female...

So this evening, we have progressed to having the footwear done, and a bit more padding on the derriere to allow for a more level posture when seated. With a small bit of Milliput I gave him some ears too.

I decided that for clothing, this guy would be wearing a track-suit with a tee-shirt underneath:



The impression of the tee-shirt is 'made' by simply fashioning a round-neck collar effect around the neck, and thereby making the exposed upper body the rest of the tee-shirt.
The trackie top is made from 'Grey Stuff' as mentioned in another thread not far from here!

So finally, today I was able to spray the figure with grey undercoat, as is my habit...



This evening I have been painting the figure - I decided that the head would look great without any hair, so that's the look I went for:



As a finishing touch, I made a mini 'Walkman' out of GS in order that he should not be bored whilst waiting for his train...

Whilst I'm not suggesting you add it, he ought to be wearing some vulgar gold jewelry....

Another excellent figure Clive.

Once again a piece of mastery.

I notice he has long slim legs and a smallish bottom.
The trainers are well done too.

My figures just have painted blobs for feet.

I think you should really have a go at a woman next.....if you know what I mean.

dtsteam wrote:

Whilst I'm not suggesting you add it, he ought to be wearing some vulgar gold jewelry....

Strangely enough, it did occur to me to give him sum ov dat 'bling bling' but then I remembered that my railway has a standing order - "No Chavs"

carl hibbs wrote:

I notice he has long slim legs and a smallish bottom.

Purely from imagination I'm afraid, I have no real references of my own to work from!

carl hibbs wrote:

I think you should really have a go at a woman next.....if you know what I mean.

Errrrmm....

Nah, bottled it!

Just a final pic in a bit better light:

Very nice Clive

Anything happening in Clive's people studio at the moment?

New figures for 2009 .....???

I think the guy above should have a girlie for Valentines day.

Excellent work Clive.

I hope the station staff are keeping an eye on him...........looks dodgy to me.........

carl hibbs wrote:

Anything happening in Clive's people studio at the moment?

New figures for 2009 .....???

I think the guy above should have a girlie for Valentines day.

Not much going on with me at the moment to be honest; other issues are taking precedence. I made a start on a 'kissing couple' - going back to my Preiser-hacking approach for that - but haven't done anything with it/them since before Christmas.

paul stainz holt wrote:

I hope the station staff are keeping an eye on him...........looks dodgy to me.........

Well we used to have our own security team, but he got a better offer from the CFG in Paris - all the vin rouge and smelly cheese he could consume, and a free hand with the trouble-makers as and when...

That gendarme looks like the man for the job.

Like it.

dont know why, but I totally missed this one at the time! Great sculpting clive. Cant you do one in a more elegant style of dress! ..say like they wore in 1910??
hehe Mikey

clive_t wrote:

carl hibbs wrote:

Anything happening in Clive's people studio at the moment?

New figures for 2009 .....???

I think the guy above should have a girlie for Valentines day.

Not much going on with me at the moment to be honest; other issues are taking precedence. I made a start on a 'kissing couple' - going back to my Preiser-hacking approach for that - but haven't done anything with it/them since before Christmas.

paul stainz holt wrote:

I hope the station staff are keeping an eye on him...........looks dodgy to me.........

Well we used to have our own security team, but he got a better offer from the CFG in Paris - all the vin rouge and smelly cheese he could consume, and a free hand with the trouble-makers as and when...

[b]Good moaning Ronnie

clive_t wrote:

Well we used to have our own security team, but he got a better offer from the CFG in Paris - all the vin rouge and smelly cheese he could consume, and a free hand with the trouble-makers as and when...

And a splendid job he is doing too keeping the CFG free of "les rif raf".