This the fourth post of a 6 part series discussing the management of figures which will have sculpted bodies or heads. The decision to sculpt a figure’s body or head is made for two very different reasons.

Sculpted Body

The decision to sculpt/carve a body is simple.  Parts of the body that are clothed do not typically require the detail of life casting.  If life casting detail is not needed, the body is typically carved since it is less expensive to produce a less detailed sculpt of the body than it is to produce a life cast.  Carved bodies are carved out of foam in the appropriate pose.

Pictures of the completed body sculpt will be posted for client comment or approval.  Adjustments are easy to make at this point.  Once the body is approved, an internal metal armature will be added and changes are much more difficult to make.

Sculpted Head

The decision to sculpt the head of a figure is based on the lack of an appropriate model to lifecast.  Suitable models are almost never available if the figure is a historical figure, a member of an historical ethnic group, or a very young figure.  If any of these is the case, then the head will probably be sculpted out of clay. Previously approved references for the face, pose, and expression will be used to sculpt the head.

Pictures of the completed head sculpt will be posted for client comment or approval.  Adjustments are easy to make at this point.  Once the sculpt is approved, the head will be molded and a resin cast will be produced.  Requested changes to the sculpt after it has been molded will result in a change order.

Cast Head

At this point, the remaining fabrication, whether the figure has a life cast head or a sculpted head, are identical. Imperfections and seams in the cast will be fixed and the eyes (typically glass), in the approved color, will be added with the positioning based on where the figure’s gaze should be when fully assembled. Additional photos will be posted for client comment/approval of the eye position.

Next month, I’ll be discussing inserting armature into the figure and assembly the body, arms/hands, and head into a complete figure.  Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Continue to Part 5