New views and processes

/ Su Leslie
IMG_3966

Cooling off. Polymer clay doll form after baking. Image: Su Leslie 2019

When we look at a piece of art, it is easy to forget that in its making, it may have gone through many stages or forms quite different to the end result.

Polymer clay doll-making is an excellent example, often beginning with a wire and aluminium foil armature around which clay is formed — sometimes for the whole body, but in many cases just for heads, hands and feet.

IMG_3965

Once the clay is sculpted and baked it must be cooled before the soft materials that will form the body can be attached. Image: Su Leslie 2019

IMG_3967

Clay, especially small pieces, are extremely fragile and need to be properly cooled before the next stage can begin. Image: Su Leslie 2019

I have made dolls in the past, but these belong to students at a recent workshop held by an artist friend. I was there solely as the photographer.

I must say though, it did rather inspire me.

Posted to the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge | something different

36 thoughts on “New views and processes”

  15. Tell me about small pieces of clay being fragile! I was transporting something quite delicate yesterday to my workplace where my kiln is and kept holding it like raw eggs all the way! 😂 It was worth the effort though. 😉 Now, I only have to pray that it won’t explode inside the kiln! 😂
    Your pictures are awesome, and the clay dolls too – makes me really want to try out polymer clay! And the one in the first pic looks like Dobby who I just adore! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I’m glad you got it there safely, and I hope it’s ok in the kiln (photos of the fired piece please cos now I’m curious about it). I can imagine you making dolls — and being really good at it. They require lots of different skills; sculpting, painting, textiles, even jewellery-making. You have all of those.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Aww – thanks! I really want to try this out, it seems a lovely way too to connect it with a story of some sorts, though I wonder what will come first: the story or the doll??
        Have a wonderful weekend, Su! Hugs! xxxxx

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        • Claire started making them as models to sketch from in the books. She found that illustrating a story needed her to be able to draw her characters in lots of different poses. I think for her the story sparks the doll which then takes on a life of its own and influences the story.
          Wishing you a wonderful, creative weekend too xxxxx

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

Leave a comment