What do you have the most trouble sculpting?

For me, it's hard edged weapons/accessories. In large part due to my hatred of milliput. Bet the wax would be superb for hard edge sculpting, but since i don't see myself setting up a casting operation anytime soon, I'll have to learn to use other materials. I've done some nice ones in wood, but it just isn't as well received as something with a more plastic feel.

Geometric symmetry, getting parts to match exactly is a low point for me.

I'd most of us probably find that challenging.

That's why most of the time if I am sculpting armor or something like that it is piecemeal with mismatched and scavenged pieces.

Yeah, I've bee known to break out the dividers from my drafting set to use as calipers. I hate it when you get one side perfect and then the other side comes out just right, but way too thick or thin - then looses all resemblance to the other side as you sand it or build it up. It's especially annoying when you're doing a boob job.

Yep I'm the same. Anything symmetrical is a pain in the A** for me. Does'nt matter how hard I try, theres always something off.

Symmetry takes too long, but I need to learn facial features. I've been practicing cutting up Spidey heads to make my own faces, but I'm not doing too well. Also skirts. Lol, they aren't as easy as LOKA makes it seem.

To be honest, anything really. I'm still so new to GS that I need to figure out timing (when it stops being sticky but can still be shaped), ratios (LOKA gave me some great tips, but alas, mistakenly deleted the message), and just generally need to work with the stuff. I admire and am envious of all the amazing sculpting skills I have seen here, and hope to emulate with at least a passing resemblance to skill one day. I have a project in the works right now that will require sculpting button-up shirts onto the base figs. Any tips?

Subtlety is the name of the game. indicate the button area with a thin strip of putty, then smooth it all the flat on one side. cut holes if you want them, then use tiny bits of gs to press the buttons on after the rest is cured. Collar is obvious. Remember to add cuffs with the same technique. Obviously, if the base torso is muscular, you need to fill in and smooth out the ripples.

Symmetry is the only thing I've run into so far. Although, I've only really only sculpted smaller not so detailed things like the TMNT's belts/bands/toes and Batman's ears. Those ears were a pain in the ass though. I had a simple plan to just cut a larger triangle into two smaller, but "identical" triangles... Once I stuck the second triangle to his head the first time, I knew the plan wasn't as fool proof as I had originally thought. I'm just glad my girl was around to look at it for me after I went crosseyed trying to figure out where it was off. I think having a second person to look it is a great deal of help when trying to achieve symmetry.

I always snap pics and then look at them in horror at 5x normal size. Amazing how what looked good suddenly becomes utter crap worthy only to be purified with fire.

That's crazy how that works. Looking at your custom and you're happy with it, take a pic, and EW WHAT THE HELLO IS THAT??

boobs

Boobs are surprising tough! The natural beauty of a woman is hard to capture at such scale, but practice makes perfect!

Hmm... Sculpting is my best skill. i can understand the issue with symmetry but i dont struggle to much with that. Its all in prep work and reference photos. I use Aves and i work in stages. If im doing a single layer, chest piece for example, i apply aves, i get the basic shape i want, ill use a small razor or precision screw driver and lightly draw out the piece. Let it dry a bit and begin to work. The key is to stick to the reference photo as much as possible and try not to "freestyle" lol If you stray it seems alot harder to recreate. Since precision screwdrivers are my main tool ill use it to map out a sculpt. Like this groove its one and a half of my tool. If that makes sense. If im doing the two separate pieces ill use the same "measurement method" Shape and details the whole time with breaks to let it dry a bit. ill sand when needed. I can go on with more tips but it all varies with what im doing. Im hoping to put up a tutorial soon, start out with hair, or maybe just all tips.

with boobs lol i used alot of water and just smoothing it out. Work in layers, get the basic shape right. When dry sand as needed with a 320Fine sponge block. Then move on to the details.

And as always... Patience. lol

I have the frustration of using proper sculpting tools... i ended up always stuck using a nail file, nail cutter, nipper and the one my mom uses for crocheting.

There is no such thing as proper sculpting tools. If it works for you it is proper.

True and amen to that... it's just people are posting their WIP and show everything with the pro sculpting tools they have, but when i post mine like these... it becomes their topic. i envy them because i haven't got the luxury(because everything here is expensive) to buy them that's why i use whatever's available on site

You know what man, lemme see if I can round up a spare set of "pro sculpting tools" for you. PM me your address. If you want them, send me some money for shipping and they are yours. I hate people who feel the need to point out that their equipment is better than everyone else's.


EDIT
I found a spare set. Lemme know if you are interested.

Thanks man, i'm currently ok with what i have for now, having new materials to use needs time and practice to learn to use them... maybe when i have extra cash paypal is a bit slow for me now.. some slight changes on their policies and updates from where i'm from.. i'll pm you, and remember it, Thanks for the offer.

Will do.

There are tools for this!!!

Just kidding, I actually have a complete set of tools and files, but 90% of my work ends up being done with my good ol' hobby knife just like Marky and his screwdriver.

Hey Engineerio, you know what's harder than boobs?

Small boobs.

I have one "real tool" that I use a lot. The rest is usually my exacto knife.

Asphalt wrote:I have one "real tool" that I use a lot. The rest is usually my exacto knife.

TMI

I'm totally with Asphalt on this one. Just because you don't have the "right" equipment doesn't mean you aren't a good customizer. Same goes with most hobbies. Even in work at times! I sure would like a 42" long 1/2" drive breaker bar, but I do have a 24" one with a 44" long piece of steel pipe that works even better. In the end, it's the result that matters, and Jon, You've got the result. Don't let anyone dis you because you use "amateur" tools.