Create Clay Hats and Crowns!

Create  Clay Hats and Crowns!

Monday, March 28, 2011

"Art Is" Dr Suess Theme for 2011 Swap


Original simple polymer sculpt with 2 paperclay "Copies"



10 Heads and 20 arms!







Cindy Lou from the Grinch Movie

Brush your mold with powder, smooth the paperclay into a thick disk



Press the paperclay disk into the mold, Press in the foil "skull"






An easier start to a paperclay doll when creating a "Series" 


So it seems that I needed to just dive in and start my "Art Is" swap ornaments.  They are due in August...but I know I am a huge procrastinator, and I am trying to change! HAHA.  I put all my wire joint doll projects aside to at least start the swap...Now that I have the beginning of 10 Cindy Lou dolls from the "Grinch"......heads, and arms....I have gained momentum, I can actually breath a bit easier... 

I knew this would be a lot of work...but the deal is, you make 9 swaps (I made an extra to keep!).  When you get to Art Is and you receive your registration "packet", you also receive a package with 8 handmade ornaments (the 9th one goes to Marlene Halveron for The HoneyComb Cottage Project )  How exciting is this...to open 8 handmade gifts,  and Know that one of my pieces of art will go to a beautiful human cause!  Oh My Gosh! I cant wait..So I"m workin at it, every chance I get!

I am designing the dolls using a picture of Cindy Lou from the "Grinch Movie".    This little character inspires me to try and remember to be loving and compassionate even under "not the best circumstances"...  I sculpted one simple face from polymer, and then made a mold.  This helps me to create 10 dolls a little quicker , for this type of Project.  Now.... dont get me wrong...you cant just stick a wad of paperclay and pull it out of the mold and ...Wha lahh! you have a sculpted head!  NO...it comes out pretty flat and there is work involved...but at least you have a start, to a doll (for me...the START is the Hardest part!!! ). From there I add bits of clay, building the face up and smoothing it out.  AND Then....Its your original doll....you made the original face and mold...so there is No CHEATING involved!!! haha

Cuddling "Moon" while working on 10 faces!
For the head...after lightly dusting the mold with powder, I smooth a piece of paper clay into a disk and fit it into the head mold.  I then take a tiny foil "scull" on a piece of armature wire, and push it into the center of the mold (creating a nice solid armature), halfway down into the paperclay.  I then pull the clay with the armature out of the mold, and add some more clay to create the back and top of the head,  When I get the right shape, I start to add my details and let it dry.  I am constantly adding wet clay to the already dry face, perfecting the details.  I love the way you can take away and add to paperclay....and after sanding , smoothing and painting...no one really knows what you did, if you were in turmoil, if there is a "fix it" going on, they just see the end result!!! 

So now that the heads are completed and smoothed, the arms are created but have to be refined.....then I will create the legs and then the neck/bodices...I think they mill have a ball joint swivel head. I'll have to see how it goes!    

Lot of "refining" work, But it"s a start!


13 comments:

Heather Elizabeth Brauner said...

I think you need to make 11..I want one too!

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

I hope you post the finished dolls.. I would love to see the completion.. I love your work
Blessings,
Penny

natalia Carlota vallejos said...

que bello proyecto...quiero verlo terminado, cariños!!!!

BuyWoWAccount said...

I adore how people like you are so artistic and have a great passion for this. I love miniature stuffs.

Buy WoW Account

Mary Louisa said...

Look at you and Moon! he's your Muse... Wonderful, priceless gifts for some lucky people.

Elizabeth Parsons said...

make that 12... (!!)
Great seeing you on Monday!
Elizabeth

Angel Hugs 4 All said...

Ha Colleen talking about procrastination. I'm making a little cloth doll of Sue Snue and haven't begun to start. I will look up and August will be here!! Make that 12 dolls 1 extra for Heather and me lol!!!! When are we getting together?????

Shashi Nayagam said...

Wow you are busy!! Can't wait to see them completed.

Mollye said...

Aren't you sweetness for sharing these great tips. Thank you! Love your work! Mollye

janice a/k/a earthloczwoman said...

I can't wait for your class. You are the miniature paperclay guru! :)

patricias fabric art said...

Oh I would love to buy one of your little heads you make it look so easy and it takes me ages to sculpt anything.

Duendes said...

hi friend,Your work is very precious!!!
I wish a very happy weekend.
big hugs

mistiteres said...

Collen, thanks for visit my blog

NY wow

NY wow
dIANE kEELER CLASS

Diane Keeler Class

Diane Keeler Class
Diane Teaching

Diane Keeler class

Diane Keeler class
Class Picture

Sculpting a Childs face

Sculpting a Childs face
My face ..Day 2 ..ready for EARS!

Working on a new face now!!!

Working on a new face now!!!
Completed face and breastplate

Attached head to breastplate

Attached head to breastplate
The clay is very dirty..the cleanest i can get it!

After Face Make up

After Face Make up
WOW...it gives a translucent glow...hid the dirt!

Removable wig...not styled or cut yet

Removable wig...not styled or cut yet
Goat mohair that was dyed and combed

Now she's styled!

Now she's styled!
But it is a wig...it will be glued when i'm ready!!!

Painted Face...still needs brows and lashes!

Painted Face...still needs brows and lashes!
She will be sealed with Duncan flat mat as soon as it comes in the mail!

Cloth Pixie body fit under breast plate...

Cloth Pixie body fit under breast plate...
After drawing and sewing a million body parts....

Girly girl "21" charms

Girly girl "21" charms
Angelica's 21st birthday charms

Devon with his creation

Devon with his creation
Devon and his monkey boy

Devons Doll that he made from a pattern

Devons Doll that he made from a pattern
Monkey Boy

another charm group

another charm group
Debbies Charm

Leapord tube charm

Leapord  tube charm
The diamond shape is a soldered glass bead.

Wax medium melted over polymer clay face....

Wax medium melted over polymer clay face....
She's getting there..i think this hair suits her better..she needs eyelashes and ears

Odd Vintage bug- like Fairy

Odd Vintage bug- like Fairy
Just the idea

Clay Window glazed with Utee

Clay Window glazed with Utee
Stamped Utee glazed "Charms"

Clay Charms

Clay Charms
Making a mold from a charm to make more charms!

Charming

Charming
Clear tubing and stamped Utee

Charming!!! ....REALLY!!!

Charming!!! ....REALLY!!!
Soldered Vintage photos

Charming!!! ....REALLY!!!

Charming!!! ....REALLY!!!
Soldered Charms

Journal Day with Tery and Stephanie

Journal Day with Tery and Stephanie
Creating an Art Journal

Stephanies journal

Stephanies journal
of course..completed first!!

New Art Journal

New Art Journal
Journal made from SCRATCH!!!

Art journal EMBELLISHMENTS

Art journal EMBELLISHMENTS
Clay, Stamps, Utee

Inside cover

Inside cover
Material and free motion stiching

Celeste

Celeste

Celeste up close

Celeste up close
Celestes shirt is made from gessoed and tinted lace with free motion embroidery

EVA

EVA
She is with her new mom Evelyn