Step by Step process of sculpting a bust

www.marinawalshdesigns.co.za/
I created this tutorial during the lockdown in March/April 2020. It was initially intended to be a teaching aid for my regular students who wished to carry on working from home. I designed the structure of the actual armature to be as simple as possible with materials that would be readily available from any supermarket, as hardware stores were closed at the time.
My style of teaching is a deliberately slow and thorough and step-by-step instruction to help anyone get started in portrait sculpture, without being overwhelmed by technicalities.
I always encourage my students to sculpt someone they know or did know, such as a family member. It is easier to sculpt an older person, especially older male, as they generally have a defined bone structure and enlarged features such as their nose and ears, which gives them character. A young woman is generally the hardest subject to sculpt, but a lovely challenge, nevertheless.
Please note that the skull proportions of anyone under the age of 18 are different from those of an adult.
I do put a lot of emphasis on considering the final composition of the sculpture and this should be considered upfront.
Mounting a sculpture is as important as framing a picture and I recommend a square block of wood or piece of cut stone, no less than 4cm thick that is 2 to 3 cm wider than the widest diameter of the sculpture.
I use a 3-step patina on all my clay sculptures which I will be demonstrating in my next tutorial. I hope that you find the slow, gentle pace of my tutorial soothing and mesmerizing and therefore easy to follow. You are welcome to contact me via email, to be found on my website at the end of the video.
*******
Marina Walsh is a Johannesburg based, internationally recognised sculptor. She teaches clay and portrait sculpting for beginners, intermediate and advanced artists.
We answer the follow questions:
- How to sculpt a head
- How to sculpt a portrait
- How to sculpt a portrait in clay
- How to sculpt a head in clay
- How to go about sculpting a head in clay
- Helping you with your sculpting of head out of clay

[@banaraskrishna1028]

First time I see a detailed video with tools. Simple narration. Thank you for avoiding cutting off the continuity of sculpturing.

[@HappilyEverAfterinFrance]

Such wonderful instruction, thank you! I’m going to go back to your video again and again. It was so much more helpful than most sculpture videos- from building the armature to the caliper measurements to the hollowing-out process. The part at the end when you put your nose against your dad’s is priceless. There is a strong family likeness, for sure. ✨

[@marinawalshdesigns]

Thank you so much, welcome to e mail me for help

[@kashinathkhan1224]

Madam,Your Tutorial Section And. Mejrment Very Nice.Thak you Very Much.

[@FknNefFy]

You could also Take the chair off a rolling office chair for a base!

[@coraliaprosser1078]

Muy completa su construcción del rostro, profesional y didáctica buenísima Felicitaciones❤

[@coraliaprosser1078]

❤😂

[@kallydou]

What a moving moment to bring your father back to life! How nice of you to do that! You are amazing, I learn from you, thank you very much. Maybe one day I will be able to fix my father too, I lost him countless years ago ...

[@marinawalshdesigns]

Always here to help, thank you.

[@cuasilola]

Thank you so much!! your way of explaining is so pedagogical that it inspires to try to do something similar. The best tutorial I've seen

[@marinawalshdesigns]

I am glad it inspires you.. Keepsculpting

[@noshadvahabi]

hi,l saw the video and l enjoyed and learned a lot.got quite emotional when you talked about your father.may he rest in peace and l am sure he is proud of his daughter..thank you again mrs. marina walsh.wish you and your family good luck and long healthy life.take care and thank you again.in our ancient civilization we always respect teachers,just as our own parents.noshad

[@geewirt6248]

The best instruction so far. Thank you so much.

[@AI-xs4fp]

Wonderfully animated. Great instruction and commentary. No small feat! Thank you,

[@richardmabe4186]

Thankyou for a fine tutorial. I'm new to sculpture though not to painting portraits. Your instructions answered many questions I had.

[@teresamcclennen6860]

What a beautiful sculpt of your Father! You are a wonderful instructor. Thank you for sharing!

[@michaelrust6435]

Wonderful tutorial.. I learned so much about anatomy!! Can’t wait to try my first bust! Thank you thank you

[@giftikumera]

Thank you so much for this great tutorial! Beautifully done, I found so much joy watching this.

[@marinawalshdesigns]

So glad, thank you

[@suzannehardingham5190]

Wow, Such a great video. I too will be going back many times to fully absorb everything you have taught me!! Thank you so much Marina. Your dad would be so proud!

[@marinawalshdesigns]

thank you @suzannehardingham , I received such joy from sculpting my late dad.

[@christos_phe]

You're Awesome !!! Thank you for the free complete tutorial !!!

[@neilmutch4100]

Thank you so much for making this tutorial.

[@anntunaley9974]

Beautiful work

[@EasyExplained]

Soo much thanks for making this tutorial free! Amazing work! I will see it many times :-)

[@anyab4246]

Thank you so much for this! Starting out a bust project and will be referencing this video 😄

[@sweetest_caroline_2127]

Thank you for this video! The deep inset of the eyes is so helpful. Please keep making videos!

[@TocTocTrax]

This is amazing and beautiful! I really enjoyed watching this creative video. Thanks for sharing!

[@megadewiretno8778]

Bagus sekali cara menerangkan dan berbagi pengalaman dalam membuat membetuk wajah patung ini trimakasih sudah berbagi ilmu 👍👍

[@davidsheppard1133]

Thank you very much for making this very informative video! I have learned a great deal.Thank you again.

[@maryfarag8338]

Thank you so much. This was very informative. I love the way you looked at your father at the end.

[@marinawalshdesigns]

Thank you, it was very cathartic

[@cheekyllamacreations]

This was so fascinating to watch. Thank you for sharing your skills. Not sure if it’s my imagination but I’m at time stamp 1:04:57 and I can see Marina herself in the sculpture. Edit: just got to the end of the video and yes it does really resemble Marina

[@marinawalshdesigns]

thank you for your lovely observation @cheekyllama

[@cheekyllamacreations]

@@marinawalshdesigns you’re welcome 💐

[@recreepy]

Truly amazed by your unique talents

[@clayeasy]

Thank you for a great tutorial! Lovely work!

[@bhavanaamrita5344]

Thank you so much for sharing...one of d best tutorial...

[@jorisArt]

thank you for a marvellous lesson! It’s very encouraging!

[@annamariavonschalien9346]

This is the best pedagogical tutorial on how to sculpt I've seen, thank you so much for sharing 💖

[@marinawalshdesigns]

thank you for your lovely feedback .@AnnaMariavonSchalien

[@fauxte]

This was so fantastic! I think I’ll give it a go. Thank you!

[@shahrokhbiniaz5862]

Thank you so much for sharing.
The instruction was absolutely wonderful.
You should make more videos. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@ulsdigital]

WONDERFUL!! THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR KNOWLEDGE!

[@julieanu6283]

Your's it is the best examples of sculpting video.I liked your presentation a lot.Sure ,I'll try this method into my sculpting!
# Love from kerala🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@natashapretorius9869]

Thank you so much for your instruction! learnt so much.

[@corderoteful34]

Gracias por compartir sus conocimientos! Aprendí mucho de su video! Y le felicito por su profesionalismo. Saludos desde Chile! 😊

[@SBIsis]

Very well done and a good tutorial. Love it! Also from a South African 👌.

[@1pklein]

Thank you for this excellent video. Your explanation really adds to understanding the process. It is a wonderful piece.

[@marinawalshdesigns]

thank you very much

[@shayrforbes2817]

Love the clay face sculpting you have done, will be trying your method soon as I get the materials, keep up the great work.

[@marinawalshdesigns]

good luck, send me pictures

[@julesodwyer2735]

this was so interesting to watch. thank you so much marina

[@bobbymcpherson3475]

Thank you. I really enjoyed this.

[@hedgerowhell]

Lovely work on your fathers head-bust! Looking forward to your next bust!

[@salvadorsepe4551]

Gracias 🙂 thank you . 😄😄😄😄

[@myrnahiggins1649]

Excellent and thorough tutorial

[@arxfatallis]

This is actually a very very good video.Not like other tutorials that leave out a lot of information. You should definitely do more of them.

[@jeremiahpadilla3803]

i thank you for showing the technique on face sculpture method. Go bless and more power

[@maxvanderschaaf7358]

This is really helpful, thank you

[@lisacampbell9601]

Wow! Beautiful for sure! I’ll bet this is also a very healing process as well.

[@marinawalshdesigns]

Indeed it was.

[@danielle7397]

Fascinating excellent job I am very impressed.

[@Aisfan]

Thank you so much, your tutorial will help me and others so much, you have given instructions really well, thanks again. ❤

[@marinawalshdesigns]

You’re welcome 😊

[@memoartist]

Detailing .amazing. artist work by a beautiful fine sculpturist..😮😮❤

[@fineartamroqab5771]

Such a great video i can wonderful instruction, thank you
for your Such wonderful instruction, thank you! for your helpful than most sculpture videos- that i can see
.

[@williambo5989]

Awesome love the old tradition method. will watch this at least 3 times. i use roma plastilina soft

[@FknNefFy]

This so cool to watch. Thanks

[@suzannekamoen1560]

Thank you
For this wonderful video!

[@jorgeenrriquenavarromorea1621]

What a good work. You are good at it...

[@raquelgarcia5702]

Thanks for sharing .. such a wonderful job..thanks

[@rorybotha3927]

Nice and clear film... am going to show this film to my students here in Sweden at our art-school (hope thats ok) Nice to hear a South African accent as well :) Dankie baie and lekker lekker :)

[@pirilakat]

Thank you so much 💫

[@hariramahirwar6932]

Thank you marina you are a great artist. I want to learn you sculpturing face anything.

[@malenabloom174]

We want more Marina!

[@KarelChytilArt]

So relaxing.

[@sarahobes2758]

Lovely. Thank you for sharing x

[@adelefouche8741]

thank you for sharing this, it was vry informative and helpful!

[@melanieslow]

really instructive.

[@carmenangueira4868]

Genial !! Te felicito, Juan !

[@annnagel9741]

Thank you for this video, I want to sculpt my grandchildren.

[@albertopellegrinet8472]

One of the best video I've seen... I hope to see more videos made so well. ❤

[@marinawalshdesigns]

I will try my best. thank you @AlbertoPellegrinet

[@sugiartostudio455]

this is another level of art... awesome... big love from indonesia ☕️👍

[@marinawalshdesigns]

Thank you

[@annasiami9154]

You are amazing 👌🏻

[@rogermariart]

Very nice class thanks!

[@ujjalbiswas432]

So nice your brilliant please more knowledge share man i can deeply understand your teach .Thank you mam.

[@santiagosantanamelian6942]

Gracias, muy bueno...he aprendido muchísimo gracias desde Las Islas Canarias....gracias Artista...No entiendo ni papa de lo que oigo, pero unas imágenes valen un tesoro.... gracias de nuevo....

[@marinawalshdesigns]

thank you for your kind words @SantiagoSantanaMaria

[@Jayjays964]

Thank you so much!

[@gamingwithaaron125]

plz make more videos like this
love your work

[@carolyngill6240]

An emotional end. ThankYou

[@VictoriaMaxima]

Beautiful. ❤

[@user-dw6zv9hz2m]

Thank you so much ❤

[@DeeTee79]

Thank you for this tutorial. It was very helpful. Baie Dankie.

[@kanacoolart7226]

Wow. Respect

[@user-hl7hr8mj6k]

Such an informative video, thank you! I come from a ceramics background and was wondering what type of clay you used, how it is fired, and how careful one has to be with joins etc to avoid cracking/exploding? Thanks!

[@nedfahmi7700]

Thank you

[@aliacar1992]

Thank you from Turkey

[@vimlashakyawar915]

🙏🙏 You love your father so much you are very nice daughter . Your father will be happy and blessed you

[@royreed3257]

Stunning

[@marinawalshdesigns]

Thank you! 😊

[@theodorepage6974]

Thankyou for the lesson, I picked up much advice in the eyes, ears and neck.. Im a self teaching artist in sculpture.. ive been hollowing out my forms quite well and evenly. However im experiencing cracks through the bisque and glaze fires... any suggestions? Im using a pretty standard stoneware clay and firing a bisque and then cone 6 glaze.. cheers

[@marinawalshdesigns]

Hi Theodore, perhaps fire the head on its back. I go up very very slowly. Cracks can be fixed with fire grout. But I don't glaze, I add a patina.. Need to make a video of that

[@salvadorsepe4551]

Gracias 🙂 thank you. 😁😁😁😁

[@ngiabeanjaratafita2026]

Thank u very much

[@veroniquepeltier3631]

I'm watching you from France. Your video is priceless. I sincerely thank you for sharing those usefull tips.

[@jsmythib]

and just as I reach the end of this fantastic tutorial, now thinking this is not brain surgery and I might be able to try it. Brain surgery. :) Thankyou for taking the time to share this. I cant wait to try some of the techniques.

[@marinawalshdesigns]

good luck and you are welcome to e mail me with questions @jasonsmith

[@isaurasalinas2902]

que hermoso trabajo crear un retrato en vivo de alguien que amas

[@sanjaykambleart8195]

Very nice...😊👍🌷

[@luislbravo9918]

Gracias por tu video felicidades me gustó me ayuda Dios te bendiga siempre hrmosa

[@stevewalsh7591]

wow thats so funny we have the same last name i also love this videos its great!

[@satyavaraprasad9440]

You are great kindly women

[@stevew585]

Genius!

[@shanikayeomans2488]

Really taught a lot..im an absolute beginner. Cant seem to sculpt a face at all. Every attempt ive done looks very poor. Thank you for sharing this in great details.

[@MrNicosoria64]

Excelente tutorial....no está en spanihs??

[@twopencilartacademy]

wonderful very nice ......

[@antonilsonmourasoares4660]

TRABALHO MUITO LINDO PARABÉNS VOCÊ É MUITO SIMPÁTICA

[@marinawalshdesigns]

thank you @AntonilsonMourasoares

[@santiagosantanamelian6942]

Espero un nuevo trabajo cuando puedas... gracias, es muy agradable tú clase Magistral... gracias,...de corazón...

[@marinawalshdesigns]

Thank you for our kind reply

[@ragulvk8297]

🔥super 🔥👏👏👏👏

[@AuriMel]

It's a shame that she doesn't have more videos

[@adelacetina100]

Waooo loved 🥰