Page 6 - Creating Whimsical Characters Using Simple Wood and Paper Forms, Wire, Paperclay, and Encaustic Medium

Designs and Patterns

There are many ways to develop designs and patterns. And
multiple tools for doing them. Below are a list of my favorite

design tools.

Sketchpad

Pencils of choice for sketching

Eraser of choice

Graph paper

Reference photos

Card stock - For printing reference photos to scale.

Box for holding scissors and catching paper scraps.

Dedicated scissors for cutting patterns - I use the 4-piece set
from Loops & Threads™ Sewing Scissors (Michael’s Item

Number: 10454191 for $10)

Pencil sharpener

White eraser

Watercolor pencils - For sketching the pattern onto the panel
or sculpture. I use Derwent. They come in sets of 12, 24, 36,

and 72 with retail prices ranging from $26 to $175 and
discounted prices from $16 to $94 (Dick Blick). Watch for sales
online and Micheal’s 40 to 50% of 1 item coupons.

I usually start my design with a concept (a gargoyle chess set) or a

story (Dev wants to sail a toy boat). Once I know the story or the
character, I start doing rough sketches. I think about what form I

might be using to sculpt the character (like a small wooden people
form), and how it works as the skeleton for my character.

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