Learn how to set up armatures for figurative sculpture
The Gnomon Workshop has released The Art of the Armature, a guide to figurative sculpting techniques recorded by sculptor and practical effects artist John Brown.
Over the course of three hours of video training, Brown explores how to construct and pose armatures for sculptures, and how to block out the key forms of the body with clay.
A complete guide to ‘everything that happens before the muscles go on’
In the tutorial, Brown demonstrates how to establish a foundation for figurative sculptures, establishing accurate proportions based on 2D sketches, then constructing a matching metal armature.
He goes on to show how to pose the armature, exploring how to establish a line of action, how to generate a sense of realistic mass, and how narrative affects a character’s pose.
As well as the technical aspects of the process, Brown discusses aesthetic concepts like pattern recognition and compositional balance.
The Gnomon Workshop describes the tutorial as a guide to “everything that happens before the muscles go on” when sculpting the human form.
About the artist
John Brown is a figurative sculptor whose work features in private collections throughout the US.
He has also worked creating special effects make-up for major movies including Alien Resurrection, Jumanji, The X-Files, Mars Attacks, The Cell and Planet of the Apes.
Pricing and availability
The Art of the Armature is available via an online subscription to The Gnomon Workshop, giving you access to over 300 tutorials. Subscriptions cost $49/month or $499/year.
Read more about The Art of the Armature on The Gnomon Workshop’s website
Full disclosure: CG Channel is owned by Gnomon.