My first paperclay head was pretty ugly -- BUT at least it looked like a head and not just a blob of clay. Thanks to both Jane DesRosier's and Moriah Betterly's on-line tutorials (found at Cloth Clay dolls) I was able to practice and learn just how to do this. My first two heads were made on styrofoam bases. This second one even sported ears.
Next I worked on a couple of cloth dolls - putting the paperclay over cloth. I'm not sure how well I like the results of this because the head is too 'flat' and ended up looking more like a primitive stone statue - perhaps something worshipped by early man (and woman) - definitely not the look I was searching for.
The scariest part of the process was no longer working with the clay but painting the 'raw umber' over my carefully sculpted 'masterpiece'. Yikes!! It looked dreadful and I really worried that this whole process wouldn't work, even though I had seen from the tutorial that it would. Still this was only practice so why not give it a try?
I'm 'training' myself to play - to experiment - to learn and not to worry about finished product or perfection or any of those other limitations on creativity. Its quite refreshing.
"One of the greatest joys known to man is to take a flight into ignorance in search of knowledge." - Robert Staughton Lynd
experimentation with new materials is what, to me, creating is all about. that doubt and wonder and discovery all rolled up into one lovely heady ride. yum!
Just be sure to enjoy your playtime, and even if you don't like the end results, it will have been time well spent. Your first head on styrofoam needs the body of a smiling, peaceful Buddha!
letting yourself just play can be a whole lot harder then one could possibly imagine!! Let the mistakes happen and you might find a world of happy accidents!
Well heck, take a deep breath and let it happen. You have to get the feel of the technique. I can tell you are not a person that likes to practice either. xx, Carol
What does it say about the way we constrain children in the Western education system that as adults we have to 'learn how to play' all over again...? Very much enjoying your process af learning though. :o)
I'm sure it is going to end up so cool. Your dolls are always great. It will be interesting to see the final day after all your experiments. You can be like a mad scientist!
.....have you thought what that dark head would look like if you rubbed it with some old-gold wax?.....
ReplyDeleteJust go carefully...let it dry...then give it a good buffing.
X C
experimentation with new materials is what, to me, creating is all about. that doubt and wonder and discovery all rolled up into one lovely heady ride. yum!
ReplyDeleteJust be sure to enjoy your playtime, and even if you don't like the end results, it will have been time well spent. Your first head on styrofoam needs the body of a smiling, peaceful Buddha!
ReplyDeleteletting yourself just play can be a whole lot harder then one could possibly imagine!! Let the mistakes happen and you might find a world of happy accidents!
ReplyDeleteWell heck, take a deep breath and let it happen. You have to get the feel of the technique. I can tell you are not a person that likes to practice either.
ReplyDeletexx, Carol
What does it say about the way we constrain children in the Western education system that as adults we have to 'learn how to play' all over again...? Very much enjoying your process af learning though. :o)
ReplyDeleteYou won't regret "re-learning" to play - it's when the best ideas come!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it is going to end up so cool. Your dolls are always great.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see the final day after all your experiments. You can be like a mad scientist!