My first poseable OOAK art doll is going through the birthing process. As I work on her, more images will be added. I began with her armature first then built upon that.
You can somewhat see the drawing I made first to get this idea down on paper. I sketched her at work between calls.
I printed out a page for an armature layout from the Virtual Pose Gallery to get a basis for the size of the armature. I then coated it with foil and green floral tape. Clay should not be more than 1/4" thickness if possible so that it bakes properly to cure. The foil helps fill in the space and the armature wire gives the doll a sturdy base.
Next, I covered the body of the doll with filler white clay. This is what I'll build the body on when I make it. She will have a full torso, forearms, calves and head. Everything else will be poseable. I started the head with a small lump of clay and added beads for eyes. I have a fondness of beads in my dolls for glass eyes. I prefer them to be pupiless.
Here I use a knitting needle as one of my primary sculpting tools. I don't bother with expensive clay tools. I use embroidery and knitting needles and call it good.
I worked at adding beads for her headpiece. Fun since I kept squishing her face in the process. She was then baked just a tiny bit after ears were added so that I would not ruin her head.
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