Sculpting Realistic Clay Portrait Busts: Techniques and Tips
A course by David Simon , Escultor y profesor de arte
Unleash your inner artist and craft a stunning bust from scratch by exploring a variety of sculpture techniques
Sculpture, an art form that has transcended time, allows us to transform shapeless matter into awe-inspiring masterpieces. David Simon, a dedicated sculptor, who's had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects throughout his career. From monumental commissions to the enchanting world of Hollywood movies, as well as individual exhibitions in prestigious galleries and museums, his journey as an artist has been an exhilarating one.
The art of portrait sculpture, which traces its roots back to ancient Rome, continues to captivate the human imagination. For thousands of years, artists have used their hands to create three-dimensional representations of the faces that surround them. When engaging in sculpting, it is possible to not only feel a profound connection to the artists who came before us, but also to the raw material that lies within your grasp.
A bust sculpture, in particular, holds a special allure. There is a deep sense of satisfaction in accurately capturing the essence of a model's features, skillfully portraying their unique story through every nuance and expression on their face. It is in this spirit that David invites you to join him in this online course, where he will guide you through the process of creating a realistic portrait using oil-based clay.
What will you learn in this online course?
25 lessons & 12 downloads
- 100% positive reviews (3)
- 491 students
- 25 lessons (6h 27m)
- 12 additional resources (3 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, German, Spanish (Latam), French, Indonesian, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Create a lifelike clay bust by mastering triangulation techniques for accurate measurements. Capture the subject's essence with skillful posing, and refine details such as eyes, neck, and expression to achieve a polished, expressive portrait.
Who is this online course for?
Aspiring sculptors and art enthusiasts eager to explore classical clay portraiture techniques will find this course enriching. Beginners and intermediates wanting to refine their skills in capturing likenesses and personality through clay busts will benefit greatly.
Requirements and materials
No extensive prior knowledge is necessary. Basic necessities include Chavant NSP medium or Le Beau Touchè HM Plastiline, calipers, sculpting tools, wires, and a rotative table. A willingness to learn and a keen interest in clay sculpture are essential.
Reviews
David Simon
A course by David Simon
David Simon was born in New York and is currently based in Los Angeles. He studied at the Rhode Island School of Design, where he earned his BFA, and continued his studies at the New York Academy of Art.
He has exhibited his work in galleries and museums across the United States, including John Pence Gallery in San Francisco, Evoke Contemporary Gallery in Santa Fe, Long Beach Museum of Art, and Chapel Art Center in Manchester. He has also worked in the film industry on projects such as Where the Wild Things Are, Hellboy 2, and Watchmen.
With over 20 years of teaching sculpture, David has taught in New York (Sculpture Center and Grand Central Academy) and Los Angeles (Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art and Santa Monica College). He is the founder of The Rome Workshops, a fine arts workshop program in Rome, Italy.
His teaching focuses on developing each student’s technique and creativity, guiding them to explore sculpture both personally and professionally.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
First Steps
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The Materials 1
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The Materials 2
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Building the Armature
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Triangulation and Measurements
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Taking Measurements from the Model
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Converting Measurements to a Different Scale
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U3
Sculpting the Portrait Bust
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Setting the Measurements in the Clay on the Armature 1
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Setting the Measurements in the Clay on the Armature 2
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Sculpting the Profile 1
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Sculpting the Profile 2
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Sculpting the Profile 3
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Building Mass 1
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Building Mass 2
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Building Mass 3
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Building Mass 4
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Building Mass 5
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Building Mass 6
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Photographing the Model and Selecting a Pose
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U4
Finishing the Portrait
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Cutting and Turning the Portrait into the Pose
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Adjusting Eyes, Nec, and Expression 1
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Adjusting Eyes, Nec, and Expression 2
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Finishing Techniques 1
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Finishing Techniques 2
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FP
Final project
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Introduction to Bust Sculpture with Oil Clay
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
What are Domestika's online courses?
Domestika courses are online classes that allow you to learn new skills and create incredible projects. All our courses include the opportunity to share your work with other students and/or teachers, creating an active learning community. We offer different formats:
Original Courses: Complete classes that combine videos, texts, and educational materials to complete a specific project from start to finish.
Basics Courses: Specialized training where you master specific software tools step by step.
Specialization Courses: Learning paths with various expert teachers on the same topic, perfect for becoming a specialist by learning from different approaches.
Guided Courses: Practical experiences ideal for directly acquiring specific skills.
Intensive Courses (Deep Dives): New creative processes based on artificial intelligence tools in an accessible format for in-depth and dynamic understanding.
When do the courses start and when do they finish?
All courses are 100% online, so once they're published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.
What do Domestika's courses include?
The courses are divided into different units. Each one includes lessons, informational text, tasks, and practice exercises to help you carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with the teacher and with other students, as well as share your work and your course project, creating a community around the course.
Have you been given a course?
You can redeem the course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.
Wow ! C’est le cours que je cherchais ! Clair, précis, efficace, technique, artistique ! Un cours de 6h27 bien détaillé. Merci David Simon et bravo ! Je suis aussi enthousiasmée que confiante pour commencer ma première sculpture-portrait. C’est du boulot, mais je sais maintenant comment m’y prendre et j’aurai beaucoup de plaisir !
I highly recommend this course for those who are serious about portraits sculpture!!
Eres muy buen escultor, gracias por compartir tus conocimientos y experiencias.