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
You are most welcome, Ashley. I’m glad you enjoyed the tutorial series. Happy crafting!
Oh my goodness! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I have been wanting to learn how to make these and have spent nearly all day trying to find a tutorial. YOU ARE THE BEST!!!! Sending many thanks from Wisconsin, USA!