After taking one of Tam Laporte’s mini classes, called Art Doll Angel, I got bit with the bug of making art stump dolls.  Busts, for a more artsy-fartsy term. I enjoyed Tam’s class, but she used a bottle as the base for her doll.  I didn’t have an empty bottle, so I improvised a base for my doll using magazine pages, masking tape and bamboo skewer. These are a lot of fun to make so I decided to share the art doll love.

One of my art goals is to offer on-line art classes.  This free class is my proof of concept, to see if I can plan out and execute a series of videos for an entire project.  It’s taking longer than expected, between a full-time job and two total knee replacement but my goal is to finish these videos by the end of 2018. All but the Variations videos are shot; it’s just a matter of editing.

These videos are posted to my free youtube channel, which has a 15 minute time limit. If you are working along with the videos, the posts on this page will get you from a pile of supplies to a completely sculpted art doll, ready to paint and finish.

Project supplies:

• heavy cardboard
• an oval for the base of 3″ long by 2″ wide
• magazine pages
• masking tape
• Creative Paperclay
• a few sculpting tools (the Sculpey Tool kit is a good place to start)
• water dish
• water
• a variety of smaller artist brushes
• sandpaper
• Speedball gloss gel medium
• Pitt Big Brush pens, flesh tones- from Ivory to Dark Sepia tone, plus warm grey (or the colors of your choice)
• Sakura Micron Pens 0.1 in dark brown and black
• faux fur
• scrap fabrics, paper, beads, wire, of your choice.

If you enjoy this free class, I’d love your feedback and to see photos of your creations.  Please leave a comment and links to your project photos.

Part 1: Project supplies and creating the base for the bust and head

Part 2: Attaching the head to the body

Part 3: Applying clay to the form

Part 4: Sculpting the face, part 1 of 3 – eyes

Part 5: Sculpting the face, part 2 of 3- lips

Part 6: Sculpting the face, part 3 of 3 – adding cheeks, brows, and forehead

Part 7: Sanding and priming

Part 8: Painting the base and starting the face

Part 9: Painting the face details

Future episodes

Part 10: Decorating/Finishing touches