How to sculpt a dinosaur?

[Killekor]

Hi,
I want to sculpt a dinosaur model, but I don't know what materials I have to use.

I will like if you help me.

Thanks

Predasaurskillekor

[BlueKrono]

Welcome back!

[Killekor]

Welcome back!

Thanks!

Predasaurskillekor

P.S. Unfortunately it's possible that I will not can't use this forum, this probably will be the last days...

[Archinto]

Hopefully you can stick around and enjoy the forum for a while.

If you wanted to try something easy to use for your first sculptures, get a package of air dry clay from an art supply store. Its white usually but comes in other colors. Usually its priced cheaply and goes a long ways if you are making small figures. You can use toothpicks or other small tool for shaping. You can print an image of a dinosaur skeletal reconstruction to help make it easier because you have an easy to look at reference photo, and you can have other photos of the animal you want to sculpt displayed on your computer screen.

If you find you like sculpting and want to make more serious sculptures, you can use wire to make armatures then do the sculpting with polymer clay

[CityRaptor]

Maybe you should get yourself the book "Dinosaur Sculpting" by Debus and Morales, which is pretty useful if you want to do it.

The only negative things about that book:
In one of the chapters Morales mentions his thoughts regarding Evolution and well, he is a Creationist. ( Although looking at the old Prehistoric Times Issues I own, that is actually not new. ) I don't think something like that actually belongs in a book about sculpting.

Negative reviews on Amazon point out that there are relative few pictures and it is in black and white. This made me immediatly think of this guy:

While I would agree that some more pics would be nice, I think the number is enough and therefore the book does deserve more than one or two stars.

[Killekor]

If you find you like sculpting and want to make more serious sculptures, you can use wire to make armatures then do the sculpting with polymer clay

Thanks, but how I can make them?

Thanks

Predasaurskillekor

[CityRaptor]

Now if only there was a book showing that, you know, some sort of book called Dinosaur Sculpting....

[spinosaurus1]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/331756606131?hash=item4d3e3c12b3:g:O70AAOSwL7VWm~tN

highly recommend this book. it's in japanese, but shows illustrations and step- by- step picture of all the materials you need and the process of sculpting dinosaurs.

[Killekor]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies, but I'm not in America, and I can't get those books in Spain.

Can someone tell me how you do the armatures and what material you use?

Thanks

Predasaurskillekor

[Archinto]

You use wire to make the "skeleton" for a traditional armature. I use steel wire but aluminum wire is easier to work with. I use needle nose pliers with a snipper to bend twist and cut the wire to the needed size for the model im building. You can always use a longer piece and trim it off for legs, tails n stuff. I use aluminum foil to fill in most of the body so that less clay is used. The clay i use is super sculpey, and super sculpey firm for legs.

[Killekor]

Welcome back!

Thanks!

Predasaurskillekor

P.S. Unfortunately it's possible that I will not can't use this forum, this probably will be the last days...

There's no problem anymore!

In finally and forever back!

[Killekor]

Thanks, Archinto,. I will get aluminum Wire.

This clay goes good?



Thanks.

I'm trying to do an armature prototype with staples:



And an experiment with paint:



Hints?

Thanks

Predasaurskillekor

[Archinto]

That would be a good start! Take your time. It is best to make the inside of the body first, a little thinner than you want the dinosaur to be so that you can get the basic size and the pose correct, then after that dries you can do the final sculpting in parts. Make aure to keep your unused clay in a plastic storage bag. (Try to keep as much of the original wrapper on the clay  for the best results) once you open it it will dry fast if you dont keep it sealed. The package looks like air dry clay to me, it even says it is. it will dry with a firm foam like smooth texture.

[Killekor]

Thanks!, Archinto!

Predasaurskillekor

[tyrantqueen]

The only negative things about that book:
In one of the chapters Morales mentions his thoughts regarding Evolution and well, he is a Creationist. ( Although looking at the old Prehistoric Times Issues I own, that is actually not new. ) I don't think something like that actually belongs in a book about sculpting.

Morales does go into detail about his creationist beliefs, but I should point out it's a footnote in the back of the book, not in one of the chapters. If you don't read books from cover to cover (as I like to) you may miss it.

[Archinto]

I also suggest looking online. Possibly do a search on google of "how to make an armature for sculpture". It will show up with some web results and also pictures. Google image search "wire armature sculpture" to get some ideas how they are made. It will essentially be a wire stick man version of the creature you are making. It should not have any moving/flexing parts and be solid for a real strong sculpture.

[Kayakasaurus]

You can copy/paste this into Google images:      site:dinotoyblog.com/forum/ armature   ,  which searches our Dinotoyforum for photos of armatures. Wire, tape, and tin foil are the most common materials. Also, if your clay shrinks when it hardens, it can crack with a solid armature, that is why polymer clay(which you bake) is better. Good luck!

[Killekor]

Some t-Rex arms like this goes good?



Thanks

Predasaurskillekor

[CityRaptor]

I guess it depends on how big they are compared to the rest and if they are pronated (bad ) or not ( good ).

[Killekor]

I guess it depends on how big they are compared to the rest and if they are pronated (bad ) or not ( good ).

This is the complete t Rex. The only thing is that I have to cut the Schleich T-Rex skull teeth...