My afro...

[GaryPlaysWithDolls]

Trying to give this head a nice, big afro...



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What do you think?

[Bizarro Amy]

The basic shape of the hair is good, but I'm not sure how to texture afro hair like curls. If Tothiro logs on, he would be a good person to ask, because he sculpts the best black characters I've ever seen. Jessica might be able to help you out, she's given me some useful tips in the past.

[nobody]

Funny you should do this thread...I was trying a spin cast of Rookies Terry for an Afro wig...didn't go as planned. I'm trying to turn Uhura into Misty Knight.

[GaryPlaysWithDolls]

I was thinking about using wood glue and sponging it on very thinly, letting it dry and then painting over it to just give it the slightest bit of texture. In most of the picture that I saw, the afro looked almost like a solid object. Funny, my hair is REALLY, REALLY curly and when its long its almost like that.

[LordMudd]

I think your detail needs to be thicker. Are you planning to use this head or mold it and make copies? I would put a layer of putty or clay about 1/16 to 1/8 thick, no more, and then stipple it, let it set up and make a mold.

CCC.

[dr_cyclops]

What is the green material holding the wood ball to the head?

[GaryPlaysWithDolls]

The green stuff is milliput. I tried sponge dabbing on wood glue to give it some texture and it did not work. Not even a little. I may have to just get some more milliput and spread it on and stipple it as suggested above. See, I can listen occasionally.

[Bizarro Amy]

I noticed that the milliput covers the ears. Did you want it to look that way? For some reason, I'm picturing an afro going out around the ears. If you name whose likeness you're going for or post a reference pic, maybe someone will think of something. I didn't realize at first that you had stuck a ball to his head, haha. Someone told me to make hair by forming tiny little "snakes" from the clay and laying them on the head until you have the depth/style you want. Maybe instead of snakes, you could add tiny little balls of clay to the outside of the 'fro(to make a curly looking surface), then brush over them with whatever solvent works with your clay. When I use Magic Sculpt, water works just fine.

[ctc]

Hee heee.....

That's pretty good!

>I'm picturing an afro going out around the ears.

Yeah. Most of the ones I've seen cover the upper half of the ear. You could easily trim yours to show a bit more ear.

>Someone told me to make hair by forming tiny little "snakes" from the clay

That's one way to do it.... add a little texture. I'd probably cover the ball with a thin layer of clay and make some little swirls in it. It's good shorthand, and looks fine painted:



Don C.

[GaryPlaysWithDolls]

As suggested, I added a thin layer of milliput and dotted it with the handle of a small paintbrush. I'm pretty happy with it now, even thought it is green and looks a little like a golf ball.





Hopefully, the detail won't be lost when I paint it.

[Bizarro Amy]

It looks like that worked pretty well. You could always use a few highlights and subtle color differences to maintain the texture. But it the light, it should show up pretty well anyway.

[CrimsonGhost]

I think your about half way there. What I would suggest is using a texture stamp. Maybe the rough side of a scouring sponge or a heavy grit sandpaper and just pressing into the clay to make texture. Try a couple of different things on a spare piece of clay and see which you like the best.
I think the dents that you put in work, but they need to be more random. Then you won't get the golf ball thing.
Good luck!

[dr_cyclops]

Gary, I like you. I've avoided posting on this thread because I've been a liecensed barber for three decades. Every since you told me the attachment material was a hardener, I realized it was too late to tell you that the hairline was way too low.

[GaryPlaysWithDolls]

Doc, I like you, too. I'll see what I can do. Should ears be exposed? I'll see how far back I can take it. I got so caught up in the texture, I let the hairline slip. What can I say, my wife cuts my hair.

[thunderbolt]

If you are worried about loosing detail on the texture, dry brush it with dark brown or dark blue to bring it out.