Sculpting with Polymer Clay – Then Carve in Wood

Ever thought about sculpting your creation in clay before carving it in wood? Perhaps you’ve read or heard about carvers who sculpt first and thought to yourself “I have no idea how to do that” or “that seems like a lot of trouble to go to – I just want to get to the carving”.

Cam Merkle is one of only 3 Wildfowl Master artists in Western Canada and he has been clay sculpting his serious pieces since 2006. He has sometimes spent over 2 years (on-and-off of course) on a clay sculpture before starting the carving. The most challenging parts of the creative process for Cam (and most other world-class carvers) is in the concept, design and composition.

In this class you’ll learn the techniques Cam uses to design and create his masterpieces for competition. Cam has developed his unique approach over the past 20 years to make the process straightforward and very manageable. Best of all, it’s impossible to mess up a clay sculpture using Cam’s approach.

Students can work on a 2/3 size American Avocet or the project of their choice. If you wish to work on your own project please contact Cam as soon as possible so he can help you make sure you’ll have suitable reference for a successful project. In past classes students have worked on a variety of birds, cartoon characters, a small horse, and even an octopus. Your choice is only limited by your imagination!

Cam uses wood, wire, sheet metal if required, and heat-set polymer clay. The clay stays workable indefinitely until it’s baked to harden. The hardened clay sculpture can be used as a go-by model and also works well to practice painting if desired. Clay sculpting, either as a model for an upcoming carving or as a finished product in itself, is a process where you can let your creativity run wild. You can alter the pose as much and as often as you wish, you can add and subtract parts or features, you can create the subject and the habitat and you can change all or any of it as often as you want! Sculpting has become Cam’s favorite part of his bird carving process.

Cam will teach you how to easily create with and have fun sculpting clay. His process is quite simple and straightforward and works beautifully for almost any subject. All materials are supplied to create a modest-sized project (approximately robin-sized or smaller). For those choosing to sculpt the Avocet Cam will also supply a pattern and photo reference material. Whatever subject you choose, Cam recommends bringing as much photo reference material as you can, along with drawings or sketches (if you have them – they aren’t essential) depicting something you might like to portray. No previous experience in sculpting is necessary. You will be doing a bit of carving on the armatures for your sculpture, so you’ll need to bring some carving tools.

Supply list:

• Carving tool and small bits (micromotor is ideal, but any rotary tool will work)
• Cordless drill and 1/16″ bits (2 or 3 students can share a drill if needed)
• Calipers, dividers and flexible ruler for measuring
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Wire cutters
• Needle nose pliers
• Sculpting tools if you have them (Cam will be bringing extras)
• Photos, drawings, 3D models or anything you want to help as reference.
• Pen/pencil and paper
• Apron
• Reading glasses or Optivisor if needed

Don’t worry if you don’t have everything on the list – Cam will be bringing a few extras of everything.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact Cam by email ([email protected]) or phone ( 306-384-2277) M-Th 9am-4:30pm