Maquette Sculpting

by
Visiting Artist Sonny Sy

Animation Art
LASALLE College of the Arts
What is a Maquette?
 Uses for a Maquette : Visualisation

• Visualizing complex shapes

 Uses for a Maquette : Lighting

• Explore lighting
Different types of Maquette
 Before You Start..!!

Think about the foll owing:

– Design / Pose / Anatomy : (sketches)

– Size / Scale : (time, cost and baki ng)

– Material and Finish : (purpose)

The Pose Shoul d Reflect Character

Do this…

…not this!
The Pose Shoul d Reflect Character

Consider location, time and addi ng props to

help the readabi lity of your characters.
 Sculpting Material

Epoxy : Self harden in short time. Polymer Clay : Requires baking to

Good for repairs, details and harden. Easy to work with – very
carving. pliable.

Caution : These Materials are toxic. Always wash your hands after use.
 Sculpting Materials : Epoxy vs Polymer Clay

Epoxy Putty – Bondite, Miliput, Magic Sculpt, Duro

– Air drying/hardeni ng
– Limited working time – from 45 mi nutes to 1 hour
– Self Adhesive
– Strong/Hard, Sandable, Drillable
– Heavier

Polymer Clay – Sculpey, Fimo, Premo

– Must be baked in oven or w ith a heat gun to harden

– Almost unlimited working time
– Not very good adhesion
– Sandable, Drillable, not as strong as epox y putty
– Lighter
Sculpting Tools
Basic Steps Over view
Basic Steps Over view
 Basics Step 1: The Armature

• It is the skeleton of the maquette

• Needs to be strong and durable, especi ally at the

joints.

• But have some flexibility for you to adjust the pose

• If using sculpey, it needs to be abl e to withstand the

heat of baki ng
Basics Step 1 : Materials

Armature
Basics Step 1 : Construction the Armature

Armature
Basic Steps 2 : Massing Vol ume
 Basic Steps 2 : Massing

Must define the overall proportion of the Maquette

– Clearly show the shapes – peaks and

depressions

– This will make or break the outcome of the

sculpt

– This should capture the vi ewers attention

Basic Steps 3 : Adding Detail

Refining Shapes
Basic Steps 3 : Adding Detail
 Basic Steps 3
Refine Shapes and Adding Detail

– Refine the shapes – add folds and creases

– Define specific features – eyes, ears, hai r,
fingers
– Smooth joints
– Hold the viewer’s interest
– Don’t forget to keep refi ning and improving
your design
Basic Steps 4 : Finishing and Texture
Basic Steps 4 : Finishing and Texture
Finishing
Basic Steps 4 : Finishing and Texture
Finishing
Basic Steps 4 : Finishing and Texture
Finishing
Basic Steps 4 : Finishing and Texture
 Basic Steps 4 : Finishing and Texture

– Add surface texture or smooth the surface

– Homogenize the look to let light clearly define

the shapes

– Paint in the appropriate col ors to enhance the

design
 Forming Basic Shapes

A. Ball, Egg, Oval (head, eyes, bumps, boi ls)

B. Disc ( buttons, medal s)

C. Cylinder / Beams (l imbs, rope, noodl e, barrel,

thick hair, piping, horns)

D. Sheet / Slab (cape, cloth, planks, straps, bel t,

teeth)
Form Complex Shapes from Basic Shapes
 Blending

– Used to merge basi c shapes into complex

shapes

– Small shapes – use toothpicks

– Medium size shapes – paintbrush handl es or

sculpting tools

– Larger shapes - fingers

Making Marks
 Making Marks

– Curvy organic marks are made w hile the

material is soft
– Sharp lines and edges are best made when the
material has hardened
– Use sewing needles or pi ns, toothpicks to make
lines
– Consider using various materi als to add texture
such as cloth, sandpaper, rocks, etc.
 Carving

– This as an
alternative to
sculpting or can be
used in conjuncti on
with sculpting

– You can make more

precise shapes
Multimedia : Mixed Media
Multimedia : Mixed Media
 Multimedia : Mixed Media (Alternative options)

– Long poles – use metal rods

– Thin wiring and hose – use metal wires

– Chains available from bead jewelry stores

– Cloth – use tissue, tin foil, cloth

– Also source parts and props from dollhouse a ccessories,

action figures, Barbie to save time
Kit Bashing : Using Existing Junk Materi als
The End – have fun!