Learn maquette design & sculpting techniques with master sculptor Don Lanning (Star Trek, The Avengers, Hellboy). In part 3 of his designing characters course series, Lanning shares his approach to reworking designs in clay, quickly and effectively, to help sell a concept to a client or filmmaker, including valuable insights into reductive versus additive sculpture.

Beginner Level

2h 23m of duration

English (auto), Spanish (auto)

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Curriculum

1. Title & Introduction - 2min

2. Reshaping the Head - 12min

3. Refining the Surface - 9min

4. Sculpting Shapes & Forms - 11min

5. Finding the Character's Emotional Tale - 16min

6. Refining the Mouth - 5min

7. Integrating the Eye & Mouth - 11min

8. Alien Ears - 5min

9. Alignment & Burnishing - 9min

10. Smoothing Clay - 3min

11. Adding Detail to Bring Out the Expression - 13min

12. Humanoid Details to Enhance Realism - 6min

13. The Eye Stalks - 10min

14. The Power of the X - 7min

15. Working with a Texture Pad - 5min

16. Experiments, Final Structure and Recreating the Opposite Ear - 9min

17. Clean Up & Wash Down - 9min

18. Completing the Piece - 2min

19. Wrap Up - 52s

Materials

CLICK on the links below to find the materials you need for this lesson.

Some items might be harder to find, but a little internet scouring usually finds you everything you'll need.

The Monster Makers

GreatArt UK

FOR YOUR WORK STATION

Clay Head and Bust Form

Lazy Susan

Mirror

Various Glass Eye Forms

Odds & Ends – Found Materials

Light-up Eye Form

Nightlight

Plastic Giger Tube

Plastic Model Kit Pieces

Plastic Toy Barrel

Plastic Toy Gun Muzzle

Plastic Toy Rocketship

Plastic Valve

Thermos Lid

CLAYS/PLASTERS

WED Clay

PAINT/BRISTLE BRUSHES

Powder Brush

Paint Brushes

PAINTS

Color-matched Clay Paint

SPONGES/POWDER PUFFS

Black Porous Stipple Sponge

Orange Stipple Sponge

THINNERS/SOLVENTS

99% Alcohol

TOOLS

Measuring Tools

Calipers

Plastic Ruler

Round Calipers

Triangle Ruler

Sculpting Tools

Knife

Large Serrated Loop Tool

Lemon Zester

Loop Tools

Serrated Kidney

Wedge Shaped Rubber Sculpting Tools – Various Sizes

Wire Wrapped Loop Tools

SUPPLIES

Armature Wire

Bucket of Water

Cellophane

Paint Stir Stick

Popsicle Stick

Small Wooden Board

HEALTH/SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

When working with toxic and/or dangerous materials or tools:

ALWAYS read labels for appropriate use guidelines

ALWAYS wear a high-grade respirator

ALWAYS work in a well-ventilated area

ALWAYS protect your skin

ALWAYS wear eye protection

Artist BiographyDon Lanning

Master Artist: Character Designer, Master Sculptor and Fine Artist.

See Full Bio

Additional Purchasing Options

Notice: DVDs do not include closed captions.

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