Intro to Sculpting Tools and Materials

[New Masters Academy]

In this lesson, master sculptor Eric Michael Wilson takes you on a thorough overview of essential tools and materials for sculpting in clay. You will learn about different types of tools, and the idea behind their use. You will learn about the advantages and drawbacks of different types of clays and general approaches for working with them. You’ll also get some practical advice on how to build your own clay warmer and how to create you own tools, giving you a limitless supply of tools to last you through your entire sculpting career.

Materials

• Kemper Wood Modeling Tools
• 8″ Chef’s Knife
• Kemper Trimmer Knife
• Flat Palette Knife
• Large and Small Wire Cutting Tools
• 3 1/2″ Synthetic Silk Sponge
• Natural Sea Sponge
• Momenta Sponge Dabber
• Flexible Rubber and Steel Palettes
• Kemper Rake Tools
• Kemper Wire End Tools
• Kemper Ball Stylus Tools
• Harbor Freight Horsehair Bristle Brushes
• Princeton Catalyst Polytip Bristle Long Handle Brushes
• Color/Clay Shapers
• Paint Stirrers
• Toothpicks
• 2″ Chip Brush
• 3/16″, 1/8″ and 18 gauge Aluminum Wire
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Aluminum Ferrules
• J-Mac Clay
• Chavant Clay NSP Hard
• J-Mac Classic Clay
• Roma Plastilina No. 1
• Aardvark Clay Mocha Blend
• Laguna EM-217 WED Clay
• 100 Grit Sandpaper
• 60 Grit Sandpaper
• 3M Super 77 Adhesive Spray
• Disk Sander
• Popsicle Sticks
• 3/8″ Wood Dowel
• Electric Drill
• IRWIN Quick Grip Clamps
• Modeling Stand for Sculpting

[Paige Kramer]

Hello,

Are the plans for building a sculpture stand like the adjustable one demonstrated available anywhere?

Thanks,

Paige

[Daniel Daigle]

Hello Paige, I will look into this, but please have a look at Drawing in Space with Robert Bodem. There is a 3d model of the armature stand.
https://www.nma.art/videolessons/drawing-in-space-part-1-block-in/

Also David Simon uses a similar technique
https://www.nma.art/courses/a-realist-approach-to-the-figure-in-clay/

[Paige Kramer]

Hello Daniel,
Thank you for the response. There may have been a misunderstanding to what I was inquiring about.
I am searching for plans to build the sculpture stand (wheels, crank etc) not the armature.  Eric Micheal mentions that they built their own during the video if I am not mistaken or misheard.

[Daniel Daigle]

Hi Paige, sorry for the confusion. I thought this was about the dynamic anatomy figure course.
Unfortunately we don’t have the plans for a sculpture stand. But I’d imagine its straightforward if you can locate the crank and are able to weld.

I would recommend not using press board or particle board for the sculpting table. It wont stand up to moisture or heavy weight. Sealed solid birch may be a better option.

[Author]

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