Polymer clay - tutorijali

Do you know the work of Giacometti?
He was a Swiss sculptor, painter, draftsman and printer. His trademark are the stretched statues that look like they are never ending.
In this how to, I will show you how to make a similar statue so that you can make your own Giacometti. It looks a bit messy but it's fun to make - especially with children - and the result is super!
Here is what you need: plaster, a plastic yoghurt container, plaster of Paris bandages, a container with a bit of water, black ecoline, wire, paper tape, clothespins and scissors.Cut two small pieces of wire and fold them double.
Clasp the folded pieces of wire between a clothespin. Add another clothespin on the other side so that it can rest on a container later.
Cut off the upper part of the plastic yoghurt container.
Fill it with plaster.
Take the clothespegs and make 'em rest on the yoghurt container. Make sure that the ends of the wire are in the plaster. We will attach the legs of our statue onto them later on.
While the feet set, you can work on the body. We make it with wire and paper tape.
Cut a piece of wire of about 60cm or 24 inches and fold it double.
Make a loop in the middle and twist it around a bit. This will be the head.
Cut a piece of wire of about 50cm or 20inches and fold it double towards the middle where you attach it onto the body beneath the head. Make sure to make a little loop for the hands too.
Twist the body to create a belly and legs.
Then start putting paper tape around the wire to create a bit of tickness.
When that's done, it kind of looks like a mummy.
Now take the little yoghurt container with the plaster and cut away the plastic.
Then attach the legs to the bottom part.
This is how it will look.
Then cut pieces of the plaster bandages of about 15cm or 6inches and cut them in half again.
Now put the strips very shortly in a bit of water.
Then drape the pieces around the frame.
Let it dry for a while and when it's nearly dry, apply ecoline paint to it.
Doing this while the plaster is still damp, it will give an antique effect to the statue.
So, here is the result:

This how-to will show you how to make a mould of your own design with the card board method.
It's not meant for big objects but it works really well for small, conical objects.
Here is what you need:

cutting mat, cutting knife, ruler, scissors, turning table, clay, plaster, plastic, tape, empty containerFirst you have to measure the diameter of your turning table.
Also measure the height from table till the surface.
Then outline these measurements on the cardboard.
Cut it out.
Then draw half of your design onto the cardboard.
Cut it out.
This is the result: it will be a little cup.
Then hold the cardboard regularly onto the turning table and add clay in the middle.
Fill the gap in the middle with clay and turn the turning table a little to see where there are more gaps to be filled.
Then make it smoother as you go along. I use old credit cards and not valid passes for that.
Wile you hold the cardboard on one side, turn with the turning table to see if you need to add or take away more clay.
When you think it's OK, take a fexible rib to smoothen it nicely.
It's important that it's smooth as plaster will take over every little bump.
Then make a ring from sturdy plastic & place it over the clay cup.
Add clay along the sides so that no plaster can escape.
Make the plaster in a container. I always use the pyramid method which means that I add plaster onto a pyramid and when it doesn't soak up any water anymore, there is enough plaster added. Then I mix it with my hand. It has to have a yoghurt like substance.
Hold your hand above the piece and pour the plaster onto it while your hand guides where it should go.
Wiggle a bit with the plastic to get airbubbles out.
Let it set and then remove the clay and plastic around it.
Then cut away the sharp edges.
Now the mould has to dry and then it can be used.