I was looking through some CD’s of images and found these of my "nature guy" as I usually refer to him. I had intended to make a body for him at some point, and still may. But I kind of like him just like this too. He lives atop a handmade glass mug on my bookshelf.
He’s sculpted from Paperclay and the pieces of driftwood are from Homer, Alaska. His skin tone is achieved by painting on espresso and then coating him with a thin layer of bees wax.
The finished image below is from a photo project I was working on, in which he finally received an official title:
Comments
4 responses
Hi Karen,
I followed your link from the Cloth and Clay dolls class. LOVE this guy—how cool! Did you form him with the natural paperclay and then paint him with espresso (as in coffee) or did you first dye the paperclay, then form him? I have been wondering how to get some different skin tones that are more translucent than I’m getting with the acrylics–this looks like just the ticket—thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks, I’m glad you like him and like the technique! I just formed the head and waited for it to dry, then painted the coffee on with a paint brush. The porous paperclay really sucks it right up. I used really dark, concentrated espresso, but if you use lighter coffee I think you could just keep doing layers (letting it dry in between) to darken it.
I’d love to see how it comes out for you if you try it!
xo ~ Karen
Oh wow! I’m here from cloth and clay workshop too, I love your nature guy with paper clay and coffee…just awesome!! – verlene
I think this is amazing….so well crafted…and love the technique….I am also from the cloth and clay workshope….gosh there are some talented people out there !!