Basic sculpting supplies for beginners
If you want to start sculpting at home all you need are these basic supplies:
I recommend buying a 50 pound box of clay, ($35 -$45) at your local art supply store. I use Laguna White EM210 clay, low firing. It's soft and offers medium consistency. However, there's an array of clay choices which come in different colors, consistency, and purposes. You'll need to ask what's the cone number required for firing a particular clay. Know that a 06 cone is not the same as a 6 cone. You need to get it right.
Buy a strong metal swivel ($20), found in Home Depot or similar store. Get the larger version 10" -12" in diameter. Place it on any work table, set your wood base on it, and you are ready to go.
A 1/2" thick wood base works well. I go to Home Depot, buy a 6' x 4', and have them pre-cut several boards. Pick a board big enough to fit your piece, allowing extra room to place your tools and clay.
Screw a 1/2" flange with a 1/2" pipe on the wood base. It will serve as an effective armature for most sculptures. If you wish to hollow and retain the original clay piece, that's the way to go. You can buy a pre-shaped human figure wire armature, but you won't be able to hollow it therefore, you wont be able to fire your piece. I choose a wire armature when the sculpture has a very challenging gesture, and I know I'm going to cast the piece in bronze. In such case I choose to sculpt in plasteline, not in clay. The advantage of plasteline is that it doesn't dry like clay, so you don't need to cover your piece in plastic bags. The disadvantage is the obvious, you won't be able to preserve the original, as you can't fire plasteline. I recommend you start with clay.
Buying tools ($50- $75). There's a big difference between sculpting tools and hollowing tools. Sculpting tools are use to sculpt, give shape to your piece. They come in all wood, or with wire tips. You'll need both. The wire tips on the sculpting tools are thinner and more delicate. The hollowing tools have thick wire loops, as they are made to scoop out clay. I like the quality of the Kemper tool brand. You can start with a packaged tool sets until you find out which tools you like best, then you can individually hand pick good quality tools. The clay wire cutter tool is to slice the clay with ease. The needle tool is to prickle inside your piece, after it's been hollowed, as further precaution. Remember, you absolutely need to hollow all of the piece approximately 1/2" thick all around, or your piece may explode in the kiln. However, If you hollow it too thin, you may run the risk of your piece collapsing. Overall, it's better to err on the thin side rather than the thick side. Try Aiming for 1/2" and you'll be fine.
Chop sticks are an easy way to support limbs, antlers, or any part which sticks out and needs structural support. There's a strategic angle to place the chops sticks for maximum support. If you have taken my class you would know how. The water bottle is to spray the clay as it gets dry. A tape measure will always come handy.
The dry cleaning bags, or any similar thin plastic, are needed to keep your piece from drying. At the end of your sculpting session you must cover your piece with two to three layers. Cover your piece all the way to the bottom of the board. Hug the piece with the bag, avoid leaving air in-between.
A kiln is a wonderful luxury to have but it's expensive, ($3,000+). If you decide to buy one, "Crest brand" is a good one. Unless you teach or use it regularly, it's cheaper to take your pieces to be fired at your local ceramic studio.
Feel free to contact me for more information. I offer One-on-One critiques via zoom. Click on my "Classes" link for more details. It's very affordable and I assure you, it will be a great investment. A 30 minute feedback may be all you need, and will make a huge difference.
Don't procrastinate any more! Start sculpting away. It's one of the best ways to clear your mind, and a wonderful form of meditation. Enjoy!
A sculpture stand with wheels is very handy. I prefer the three legged ones and made out of metal
Below is a typical wire armature of the figure
