Sculpting question - add or subtract medium?

[steveo]

What is your sculpting method? Do you add clay to build up the design you want or do you carve the clay away? I've always been an "adder" and I end up with lots of bumps and grooves because of this. Just wondering what other sculptors do and if the 'subtraction' method would be better.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

With the adding technique, you likely need to sand afterwards to get things smooth.

I'm an adder... but think it would be easier if I was a subtracter... I just cannot visualize the shape until I have built it up... and the process result in shapes and details I never planned but makes the piece look more cool and real.

 

[JtotheP]

I start off as an adder with the hope of a full intention of finishing it that way, but I always end up adding too much and then it becomes a subtraction. I end up sculpting better as a subtracter from my experience of carving things out of a block of foam.

 

[steveo]

I guess I can do both, but when it comes to replicating a pre-existing prop, I find that the add works the best for me. Like stated above, I can't visualize the outcome by subtraction. What does this say about me? Thanks for the responses.

 

[rigor]

I prefer subtraction because it's relatively fast. To help with the visualization I create templates, then I carve away the clay until the template just slides over the clay form. I repeat with more templates (x, y, z views if possible) until the rough form is there, then I follow up with measurements off photos to take the rough form to finished form.

 

[REL]

I like both mediums, but the taking away technique leaves absolutely no margin for error and is much more exhilarating.

Usually I'll make a clay model first, then use that as a guide before I start chiseling an expensive piece of stone.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

I guess I can do both, but when it comes to replicating a pre-existing prop, I find that the add works the best for me. Like stated above, I can't visualize the outcome by subtraction. What does this say about me? Thanks for the responses.

All it says about you is that your visual recognition and visualization works differently than those who are able to work in the subtracting method, like carvers and hard substance sculptors, working in stone or marble.

You are an inward-out kinda guy, while they are outwards-in in the brain wiring regarding visualization. Lucky those who can do both.

 

[zenix]

I add.. but my sculpting material is all digital...

 

[steveo]

I like both mediums, but the taking away technique leaves absolutely no margin for error and is much more exhilarating.

Usually I'll make a clay model first, then use that as a guide before I start chiseling an expensive piece of stone.

Looks pretty cool, REL.

 

[Stu Pidasso]

I do both. I start out with adding more features than I should, then pare down until the dimensions look right. I usually end up doing this multiple times as I'm really no good at it. lol

 

[propologist]

I like both mediums, but the taking away technique leaves absolutely no margin for error and is much more exhilarating.

Usually I'll make a clay model first, then use that as a guide before I start chiseling an expensive piece of stone.

I use to do stone in college and a bit after and loved it. You got your frustrations out so much more than clay most of the time. I always liked it more than throwing on a wheel.

 

[RPGnerd]

I too prefer subtraction as without added joints you get a stronger piece, but I'll add at times and with polymer clay it's all adding. It depends. If I want it to look like stone,wood,metal its subtraction. If I want it to look alive it could be both.

 

[Abzilla89]

Good question and nice tips, guys. Thanks for sharing!

 

[ShadoKat]

interesting discussion. i'm just finishing up my first sculpt and i found myself doing both... like, a lot. i'd start out adding... and adding, and adding, and adding some more, then subtracting... and subtracting too much so i'd end up adding again. then subtracting again. repeat, repeat. with clay, i thought that was just how it was done. this being my first sculpt, perhaps i'm not understanding the technique (or the question, for that matter) correctly.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

interesting discussion. i'm just finishing up my first sculpt and i found myself doing both... like, a lot. i'd start out adding... and adding, and adding, and adding some more, then subtracting... and subtracting too much so i'd end up adding again. then subtracting again. repeat, repeat. with clay, i thought that was just how it was done. this being my first sculpt, perhaps i'm not understanding the technique (or the question, for that matter) correctly.

Oh... the way you do it is the right way for you. There are just two separate ways and different techniques to go with each... but you have to find what works best for you. Anyone telling you there is only one way, the right way, or their way to do things... well... they are just not getting it. Everything is just a guide to make you find your own way of doing things. :thumbsup