Peacock tail question, plus another sculpting question

[TexasGal]

So....I'm wondering how those gorgeous peacock tails are sculpted, or where to really start on normal sized ponies (anything bigger than BBs...mine turned out ok for now, will post pictures eventually).

I understand that you might not want to share your secrets, and I completely respect that...I just need to know kind of where to start and how to get things going for their intricate strands..are they individual, or carved out, attached to wire mesh, frames, or do some of our artists leave it with just the clay they are sculpting?


Also, is there a tutorial for the corset ponies?  I want to start learning how to do those as well, but I'm not entirely sure how to start...do you cut out the shape you want and then press it onto the body, or do you mold and cut it on the pony itself? 

[DancingPhoenix]

For anything that is heavy sculpting or large, use a support like armature wire or wire mesh. You can then just sculpt onto the structure.
I've never done a true corset pony, but I have sculpted an outfit on a custom before, and honestly I just sculpt right on the pony. As for fabric, I have no idea haha; I imagine you could put the fabric around the pony and trace out what shape you want. Hope you figure it out!

[TexasGal]

lol I am going to have to stick with clay...fabric and I don't agree...like...ever.  o.o  I can barely sew buttons on.  I come by it honest, though...my mom couldn't sew to save her life either! xD  Thank you though for the advice on the wire...i figured that was probably the best bet.  I'd only seen one peacock pony though (thank you Salli!) but I didn't know if that was how everyone did it or just her very clever idea.  xD 

[lovelauraland]

this girl was made with a tin foil support coverd in apoxie clay but it was also made to be detachable, it sort of clipped in place under her little butt feathers lol
my new one that I'm making is just apoxie clay with no support- the same as my dress ponies-
I added a little flour to make the clay stronger when dry, its seems to work! I also made the apoxie rolled out a bit thicker!
each feather was made off the pony and then attached seperately.
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[Griffin]

...flour?  You mean like regular wheat flour? Now that's interesting!

I just sculpted a dress (or a trail like skirt) that required some volume. I wanted to keep it as light as possible, though, so I decided to try using paper for armature and it worked! (Stiff paper works best, I guess, 160g/m2 or 98 lbs is what I used.) I just glued it on the pony and then added Apoxie on top.

For corsets and other outfits I roll the clay thin, roughly cut it into the shape I want (cutting out half circles for the neck and legs), then press it firmly onto the pony and do the final shaping and smoothening. I usually use the blunt edge of an x-acto knife for that purpose, it's sharp enough to cut through the clay neatly but won't leave marks on the pony (even with FBR) if you use a light hand.

[hannaliten]

When I sculpt clothing I usually roll the apoxie out on wax paper. Then I let it sit for about 20 minutes before I shape it on the pony. That way it doesn't break as easily.

[JoshsPonyPrincess]

love the flour tip so much

[SnowsLove]

Apoxy clay.... doesn't it need to be baked?  Or am I thinking of the wrong type of clay?  I just wonder how you could bake it if it's glued to the pony and all... y'know, what if the pony melted?  O.o

[Saja]

Apoxie clay is like apoxie sculpt, 2 part air dry clay!
I also use wax paper, its wonderful stuff! Will keep flour in mind also!!

[PhyllieBean]

I've never heard of the flour trick either!  Where'd you come up with that LLL?