Download PDF Creating Lifelike Figures in Polymer Clay Tools and Techniques for Sculpting Realistic Figures Katherine Dewey 8601421293440 Books

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Product details Paperback 144 pages Publisher Potter Craft; First Printing edition (April 29, 2008) Language English ISBN-10 0823015033

Creating Lifelike Figures in Polymer Clay Tools and Techniques for Sculpting Realistic Figures Katherine Dewey 8601421293440 Books Reviews

• I had this book on my radar because I had recently began to ply my hand at polymer clay in the hopes of being able to produce epic maquettes of fantasy, comic and mythic origins.
  
  Unlike many of the similarly priced art books, this one isn't a coffee table display of the author's best works, but rather, a real instruction manual on her technique. Another review here that convinced me to purchase stated that it's laid out more like a college course textbook.
  
  Since I'm a neophyte when it comes to polymer clay, I cannot say if it holds value for anyone other than a newbie looking for techniques and tips. Intermediate and advanced sculptors may not find anything they didn't already know. But, for me as an artist new to polymer clay, this book is amazing. Exactly what I was looking for. I highly recommend it.
• I started at the beginning, made my own tools, some came out well, some not so much. I followed along and made six heads, all different, with varying degrees of success. Then I made six torsos. I have learned so much and I haven't even gotten to arms and legs and clothing yet! This is a powerful book that can take an eager student to the next level in sculpting. My figures are still not what I consider "lifelike," but I can make faces that look human, now. I even managed a fella that is somewhat handsome. I'm thrilled with this book and wish I had it in hard copy. But, it was on the , and I do hate to wait for shipments. Plus, the version is cheaper. I put it up on my computer and spent a week learning, learning, learning. It's a brilliant book, worth every cent and should be used as a textbook for any sculpture classes. She discusses all the scales, too, which few books of this sort do. It's about proportions rather than size. I have new language for talking about my projects. I have new skills, simply from doing what I saw in the book to the best of my ability. The most important thing this book gave me, however, is confidence. I no longer wish I had a doll for a scene (i love dollhouse miniatures), I can simply grab some clay and craft one in a few hours. It's amazing.
• I have been trying to pick up figure sculpting, so I decided to give this book a try after reading some of the reviews of it. For me, this book is mostly a success, with the exception of a few issues which kept me from giving this book 5 stars.
  
  - It follows conventions that don't seem very common to sculpting, so I found it difficult to combine the techniques found in this book with other sculpting techniques I've learned.
  - It asks you to make some of the tools you'll need to use ( carving and sculpting unique handles, etc) and then requires you to use them to complete some of the books projects.
  - most directions tell you to use aluminum foil as a core instead of armature wire, which I found to be more difficult.
  
  Otherwise, I felt it explained it's techniques very clearly and, with practice, I found that it was possible to achieve results similar to the author's finished figures.
• I have been drawing, painting, knitting, playing with all sorts of clay, pretty much any trip of art or craft for 60 years. I've taught others techniques. I love all types of hand work. In all of my years of creating I have never found a book that explains every single step in creating a person. Ok, fantasy people, but people all the same. I read the book from cover to cover, went back and started over. Outstanding layout of technique, materials, shapes, color ideas and facial expressions. This book left me in awe. I learned something every page. I will be attempting some of the techniques offered in this book in addition to what I already know works. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to build or paint people. Young artists could benefit from having this book as an addition to their regular art books or program to show them more and easier possibilities. I wish I'd found this book when I was in college art.
• If you haven't made a lifelike figure before instructions for each phase of the project are needed because it can be daunting to attempt. This paperback is very well written and the pictures of each step are perfect for even a novice to complete a figurine that makes you look like a pro. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to create a figure that looks anatomically correct. Showing what tool is needed is an important part of creating your figurine. The author did a great job at helping a first time modeler create a project successfully. Explaining anatomy and how to achieve it were essential in creating my figure.
• I should have purchased this book when I started PMC. This is the path I truly want to be on and this book is the first step in that direction. Though I have countless links to other tutorials and sites - all of which are equally helpful - having a book in hand like this one is a treasure beyond compare. The illustrations in this one on the absolute beginning steps for forming each part of the doll from a lump of clay are stupendous. Exactly what I need. From there I can go anywhere my creative mind can take me. I'm thankful to Katherine Dewey for writing and publishing this book.
• A very useful book, almost a cookbook approach to creating figures. That is not a slight to the book or author, by the way. Chapters on making arms, legs torsos and heads as separate pieces while keeping the proportions ... well proportional. Tips on clothing and fabric folds as well as details that increase realism in the finished sculpture. This book is specifically about polymer clay so all the tips and steps are about working with this medium. It includes tips which were new to me (after 5 years of using polymer clay), including how to bake sculptures larger than the oven, how to avoid burns and pressure points and how to make your own tools for your particular style of sculpting.
  
  Many books on polymer clay are more like diaries - repeating manufacturers recommendations and simple designs. This is much more - almost a textbook for improving your work. Glad I bought this one.