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Sculpt a bust

⏱️ 2-3 hours 📊 Beginner 🎨 Creative

About This Idea

Learn to sculpt a human head and shoulders (bust) in clay. This fundamental sculpture skill teaches anatomy, proportion, and three-dimensional thinking.

📑 Table of Contents

How to Get Started

MATERIALS & SETUP (20 minutes)
  1. Clay choice: Oil-based plasticine (reusable, $15-20) or air-dry clay (permanent, $10-15)
  2. Armature: Wire frame or foil core provides structure and saves clay
  3. Tools: Basic sculpting tools set ($10), or use toothpicks, spoons, pencils
  4. Reference: Photos of face from multiple angles, or mirror for self-portrait
  5. Workspace: Turntable or lazy susan helpful but not required
BUILDING THE FORM (1 hour)
  1. Start with egg shape: Basic head form, wider at top, narrower at chin
  2. Establish proportions: Eyes halfway down head, bottom of nose halfway between eyes and chin
  3. Add major features: Nose, eye sockets, mouth, ears - rough placement first
  4. Build up: Add clay gradually, easier than removing excess
  5. Work all sides: Rotate frequently, maintain symmetry and proportion
REFINING DETAILS (45 minutes)
  1. Eyes: Most expressive feature, get eyelid placement right
  2. Nose: Pay attention to bridge, nostrils, tip shape
  3. Mouth: Corners, upper/lower lip proportions
  4. Ears: Complex but important, study reference carefully
  5. Texture: Smooth or leave tool marks for character
FINISHING
  1. Air-dry clay: Let dry 24-48 hours, can sand and paint after
  2. Plasticine: Keep refining, photograph for portfolio, reuse clay
  3. Learn from masters: Study classical busts, see how they captured features
  4. Practice: Each bust teaches, second attempt always better than first

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