This book offers the reader an opportunity to watch the step-by-step creation of a single life-size head through all the states of roughing in, modeling, refining the surface, and finishing and texturing, recreating the immediacy of an actual workshop situation.

Terracotta is one of the fastest, most direct, and inexpensive mediums available to the sculptor. Since the Renaissance, terra cotta has been a favorite material for sculptors' small working models because, being fired not cast, it can be modeled with an enormous degree of freedom and inventiveness. Bruno Lucchesi shows how to work with this medium, from modeling the human form to firing and finishing.--From publisher description.

Lucchesi's mastery of the human form in all its moods and postures is world famous, and evokes the greatest traditions of Italian sculpture. Bruno Lucchesi contains many new monumental pieces as well as individual sculptures and major commissions.

In this splendidly detailed, generously illustrated text, the well-known American sculptor Richard McDermott Miller introduces the art of modeling the human figure in two media known for their liveliness and spontaneity. Recognizing the needs of the beginner as well as the interests of the professional artist, the book masterfully puts you quickly in possession of the basic procedures you'll need to get started, provides specific details on materials and tools, and launches you into actual projects specifically designed to teach you sculptural skills. The book first analyzes the human figure and describes the way the sculptor translates the figure into the modeled form: finding a personal style; working from photographs or memory; working from life; and capturing gesture, proportion and anatomy. Mr. Miller then describes, step by step, how to work with wax, how to sketch a small figure in wax, how to model the figure on a wax armature, and the process of hollow wax modeling. He follows the same procedure as he introduces working with plaster, from mixing it to modeling a hollow torso. Many other important topics, from mold-making techniques to working with models to finding out where and how to buy materials and tools, are presented. Throughout, Mr. Miller emphasizes the practice, rather than the theory of sculpture, emphasizing that, apart from the artist's need for personal expression, sculpture is a physical task involving the manipulation of materials. His concentration on the sculptor's working problems makes this an unusually useful and valuable guide to sculpting the human figure. Dover (1987) unabridged, slightly updated republication of the edition originally published by Watson-Guptill Publications, New York, 1971.

A comprehensive guide for sculptors looking to recreate the human body using clay, from the author of The Portrait in Clay In Sculpting the Figure in Clay, acclaimed portrait bust sculptor Peter Rubio teaches a master class in the essentials of figurative sculpture. In this intensive, all-inclusive guide, he introduces students to a natural, straightforward geometry that will help them become masters at forming figures of clay. Rubino’s unique approach utilizes a geometric system consisting of blocks, simple shapes, and guidelines that instruct students in a new and instinctive sculptural style, With these easy-to-follow instructions and informative concepts, students will see figures as the basic shapes beneath the form as well as learn vital approaches such as BLT: Bend, Lean, and Turn, to create evocative expression, and the Three Ps: Position, Proportion, and Plans, for accurate representation. Other topics include: • The Fundamentals of the Clay Torso • Observing the Model • Essential Materials and Tools • Sculpting the Female Torso from the Live Model • Sculpting the Reclining Figure from the Live Model • Sculpting the Hand, Foot, and Lower Arm • Plus Many Photographic Reference Poses for Continued Study This unparalleled resource is the definitive guide to figurative sculpture.

A stunning survey of nine master ceramists and a fascinating study of their sculptural techniques.

Covers modelling from casts, live models; measurements; frameworks; scale of proportions; compositions; reliefs, drapery, medals, etc. 107 full-page photographic plates. 27 other photographs. 175 drawings and diagrams.