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)
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Size / Scale : (time, cost and baki ng)
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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. Good for repairs, details and carving.
Polymer Clay : Requires baking to harden. Easy to work with – very 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
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This will make or break the outcome of the sculpt
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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
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Homogenize the look to let light clearly define the shapes
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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
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Small shapes – use toothpicks
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Medium size shapes – paintbrush handl es or sculpting tools
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Larger shapes - fingers
Making Marks
Making Marks
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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
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This as an alternative to sculpting or can be used in conjuncti on with sculpting
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You can make more precise shapes
Multimedia : Mixed Media
Multimedia : Mixed Media
Multimedia : Mixed Media (Alternative options)
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Long poles – use metal rods
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Thin wiring and hose – use metal wires
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Chains available from bead jewelry stores
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Cloth – use tissue, tin foil, cloth
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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!
