Page 25 - Creating Whimsical Characters Using Simple Wood and Paper Forms, Wire, Paperclay, and Encaustic Medium

To sculpt drums:

• Cover the outside of the drum in a thin layer of paperclay. I
use a piece of 1 inch round dowel to help flatten the clay on

the underside of the drum head.

• Since the bongos and hand held drums could have the
inside exposed, I also coat the inside with a thin layer of
paperclay.

• I roll a long skinny piece of paperclay and wrap it around the

head of the drum to make a rim. I use a damp wooden
sculpting tool to form a seam on either side of the roll and

then shape it.

Simple characters can usually be sculpted in a single setting.

To sculpt characters without wings:

• If the character has a stand, wrap it in wax paper secured
with masking tape. Be sure to leave the dowel for holding the

character exposed.

• Coat the armature in a thin layer of paperclay.

• Start fleshing out the character and adding details. I usually

start with the body and limbs and use the head as a handle
for holding the sculpture while working on the body. If the

character has a base, you can use it to help hold the character
when you are adding a tail (if your character has one) and

sculpting the head details.

• Once the character is sculpted, let it dry completely. Once it

is dry, you can touch up areas and add more detail by misting
the dry areas with water and adding new wet paperclay.

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