People have been sculpting figurines and heads using modeling clay for many years. These sculptures have been formed from solid clay by hand and with tools used to form detailed features. The sculptures are solid clay and the shape of these sculptures becomes permanent when the clay dries and hardens or is baked. A problem with many clay sculptures is that the clay alone does not have inherent structural strength to support the shape.
Wire armatures have been developed which aid artists in sculpting figurines and heads. The wire armatures are bendable and can be formed into rough shapes. For example with reference to
Modeling clay has also been applied to skulls or models of skulls to form heads and predict the appearance of historic or prehistoric animals and human beings. The use of skulls provides a surface upon which the rough shape of an animal or human head and face can be formed. Although a head can be formed by applying clay to the skull, many surface features of the head are formed around non-bony material such as cartilage and muscle. For example, the nose of a skull is a hole. It is difficult to determine the appearance of the person's nose based upon the hole in the skull. These head features cannot always be determined just from the skull itself. While these skulls are useful in constructing anatomical heads, they may not be as useful in creating non-anatomical fantasy figures.
What is needed is a mass produced structure having basic underlying facial features upon which clay can be applied to simplify the process and supply overt direction to the sculptor in the creation of heads for non-anatomical humans, animals or fantasy creatures.
The invention is a sculpture kit which is more efficient and allows less experienced artists to produce detailed non-anatomical head sculptures. The primary component of the sculpture kit is a non-anatomical armature that is in the basic shape of a head. The armature has the basic facial features including eye sockets, nose, cheeks, and a separate lower jaw, all of which are non-anatomical. The eye sockets are substantially hemispherical concave surfaces. The nose is a rounded protrusion that does not include any holes. The upper jaw includes upper teeth. The lower jaw includes the chin, lower teeth and a lower surface that provides a surface under the chin. All of the armature's facial features provide surfaces upon which a layer of clay is attached.
In an embodiment, the sculpting kit may come with multiple interchangeable sets of teeth that correspond in shape to the upper or lower jaw. Each set can differ by with different size teeth and alignment/misalignment. In an embodiment, the sets of teeth can have serrations which allow the sets of teeth to be broken to create a partial set of teeth with some missing teeth.
After a layer of clay is attached to the non-anatomical armature, various other items may be placed in the clay attached to the armature. In particular artificial eyeballs which include pupils and other details are inserted into the eye sockets. Also the teeth and jaw of the inventive armature are detailed and allow the sculpture to have exposed teeth and an open mouth that result in a life like shape. The lower jaw is positioned by the artist. After the clay has dried, the sculpture may be painted to give the sculpture an enhanced appearance
Because the armature has the basic shape of the finished non-anatomical sculptured head, the process for creating the finished sculpture is greatly simplified. Rather than forming the entire shape of the sculptured head by hand or applying clay over an anatomical skull, the artist only needs to apply a layer of clay to the armature to get an accurate basic head shape. Another benefit of the armature is that it allows multiple sculptures of a consistent size to be made. For example, if the same size armature is used for several sculptures, it is possible to make each appear to be distinct, yet have approximately the same size. In contrast, it is much more difficult to create a group of sculptures that are the same size with a wire armature or from clay alone.
Although the head armature may resemble a human skull, there may be some significant differences. The lower jaw which, unlike an anatomical jaw, has a lower surface between the outer perimeter upon which clay is attached. Clay placed above this lower surface can be used to form the inner mouth and tongue. Clay attached below the surface forms the lower outer surface of the head-between the neck and the chin. The lower surface provides a stronger sculpture structure and allows a very thin layer of clay to be applied. Without this lower jaw surface, the clay would have to fill in the interior area of the lower jaw which would require a large amount of clay to avoid having a structurally weak section of the sculpture. The width of the lower jaw of the armature is also close to width of the upper skull. In an anatomical human skull, the lower jaw is much narrower than the upper skull.
There are several other differences between the inventive armature and an anatomical skull. The eye sockets of the armature are hemispherical indentations that are larger than the eye sockets of an anatomical human skull. This is so that a layer of clay can be inserted between the eyeballs and the eye sockets. In contrast a normal skull eye socket closely matches the eyeball size. Another difference is the nose of the armature is a protrusion rather than a hole in an anatomical skull.
The sculpture kit may include various tools used to create different features and textures in the clay placed on the armature. These tools include elongated pieces that have specially shaped ends which are used to work the clay into the desired shape. A first tool may have a sharp pointed end and a 45 degree surface at the opposite end. A second tool may have a very small rounded tip on one end and a flat corrugated surface at the opposite end. A third tool may have a curved rounded end and a point at the opposite end.
Other tools may have a concave curved surface that match the outer diameter of the eyeballs and outer surface of the teeth. During the sculpting process, clay frequently is misplaced onto the eyeballs and teeth. In order to give the sculpture a clean look, it is desirable to remove the clay from the eyeballs and teeth. With the tool has a concave surface that matches the diameter of the eyeball, the user can simply rotate the tool over the eyeball to quickly remove any residual clay that has been accidentally placed on the eyeball surface. Similarly, the tooth cleaning tool has a concave surface that matches the outer curvature of the teeth. The tool is used to remove residual clay on the teeth of the sculpture.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:
The inventive sculpting kit allows users to more easily and successfully produce realistic sculptures that represent real or imaginary beings and may include various components which assist the artist in creating a sculpture. With reference to
The sculptures are formed by applying modeling clay 209 to the armature 201 and inserting the eyes 211 into the eye sockets to form a head. The armature 201 is a three-dimensional structure which is a non-anatomical head of a human, an animal head or any other type of non-anatomical creature. The armature 201 has the basic facial features of eye sockets, nose, lower jaw and teeth.
With reference to
The lower jaw 311 is a separate piece that has a structural surface at the area partially surrounded by the teeth. This surface in the area between the teeth is intended to provide a support surface for clay. Clay placed on the lower surface in the area between the teeth of the lower jaw 311 forms the exposed area of a head under the lower jaw 311. Clay placed on the upper surface in the area between the teeth of the lower jaw 311 forms the lower area of the inner mouth and the tongue. Thus, the inventive sculpture is formed by placing a thin layer of clay on the upper and lower surface in the area between the teeth of the lower jaw 311.
Note that the armature is different than a scaled down human skull. The nose is a protrusion rather than a hole and the eye sockets are proportionally larger than a human skull. With reference to
Another important feature of the inventive armature is a built in fitting which allows the finished sculpture to be easily attached to a base or other holder. This mechanism simplifies the fabrication process because it allows the clay to be attached to armature without the base, but allows the base to be attached when the sculpture is complete. The clay of the completed sculpture can then hardened without touching any other surfaces. Without this fitting, a special attachment would have to be made to hold the sculpture upright. Alternatively with reference to
The proportions of the armature will vary depending upon the type of animal being sculpted. For example, if the armature is for a dog head, the armature may have a longer nose and a different jaw and teeth but may also include the basic facial features of: eye sockets, a movable jaw and teeth. Thus by varying the dimensions, armatures can be made for all types of animals. The inventive armature is not limited to real creatures only but may have, for example, only one eye socket, four eye sockets or any number of eye sockets for that matter. The teeth may be farcical or savagely long and sharp. The cranium may be bulbous, enlarged or pointy.
This head armature provides the artist with a solid beginning form. With this basic form, the sculptor can focus on the more detailed characteristics of the sculpture. Working within those characteristics, the sculptor can come up with various features to suit his or her discretion. Another advantage of the inventive armature is that a character can be developed and by using the same armature, multiple sculptures of the same character can be more easily produced with each sculpture having its own expression. The inventive armature also simplifies the production of multiple characters which each must be the same size.
With reference to
Like the other described armatures, the lower jaw 413 includes a structural support surface at the area that is partially surrounded by the teeth that provides a support surface for the clay. Clay placed on the lower surface in the area between the teeth of the lower jaw 413 forms the exposed area of a head under the lower jaw 413. Clay placed on the upper surface in the area between the teeth of the lower jaw 413 forms the lower area of the inner mouth and the tongue.
Although only two specific armatures have been illustrated, it is contemplated that this inventive armature will include various other types of animal heads, realistic or fictitious in appearance.
In yet another embodiment, the armature itself is modular with interchangeable nose protrusions, jaws, teeth and eye sockets. In this embodiment, the sculptor can select various components to create a custom armature. The components of the armature may be held together by fasteners such as pins inserted into the connected component. Alternatively, an adhesive or the modeling clay itself may be used to attach the armature components. Once the armature is completely assembled, the modeling clay can be applied to the exterior surfaces to create the sculpture.
For example, in an embodiment the inventive sculpting kit may come with multiple interchangeable sets of teeth. The multiple sets of teeth will each correspond in shape to the upper or lower jaw so that they can be easily attached to the jaw. With reference to
The eyes may be the most expressive portion of the sculpture and should be one of the first things attached to the armature. With reference to
Various appendages and accessories can also be attached to the armature such as horns, antlers, ears, antennae, eyebrows, nose, fangs, etc. These appendages can be used to change the appearance of the armature and in some applications the type of animal can be changed. For example with reference to
The modeling clay can be applied to the armature in various thicknesses to create the desired appearance and is controlled by the artist. Because the armature is shaped like a head, it may be desirable to apply a thin layer of clay. With reference to
After the desired appendages are attached to the armature and the lower jaw is moved to the desired position, a layer of clay is applied by pressing the clay against the armature. The clay should cover most of the exposed areas of the armature, however, it may be desirable to leave certain areas of the armature or appendages uncovered. For example, if horns have been attached to the armature, it may be desirable not to cover its surfaces. Similarly, if the jaw is open, it may be desirable to have at least some of the teeth exposed.
After a layer of clay is attached to the armature, it may be desirable to add additional clay details. With reference to
Details that are not formed with molded pieces can be formed with the sculpture tools. The sculpture tools are illustrated in
Additional tools may be used to clean the eyes and teeth of the sculpture. During the sculpting process, clay may accidentally be placed on the eyes or teeth of the sculpture. Normally, these surfaces are intended to be exposed plastic to contrast with the clay that simulates a creature's flesh. With reference to
Teeth cleaning tools 835 are similar to the eyeball tool 831 in that they are similarly used to remove residual clay from the teeth of the sculpture. The teeth cleaning tools 835 have a thin concave surface 837 that is similar in curvature to the outer surfaces of the teeth. Different teeth cleaning tools 835 can have different curvatures to match different sized teeth.
By applying clay to the armature and using the tools, facial features such as nose, ears, mouth and eyebrows can be formed using the clay tools. Although the armature may have small protrusions at the nose and ears, the sculptor can add additional clay to these areas to produce larger facial features. Because these tools are suitable for intricate work, they can produce highly detailed surfaces. The final shapes of the facial features control the expression of the sculpture.
Yet another means for customizing the finished sculpture is to add a special texture to the exposed surfaces. The surfaces of the sculpture can be altered by the sculptor's hands or with tools. However, with reference to
Various other accessories can be inserted into the soft clay such as hair, jewelry and mechanical equipment. The hair can be any fibrous material which may be individually inserted into the clay. The hair may typically be applied to the top of the head or the lower facial region. Jewelry may be in the form of earrings or other facial piercing. In more gruesome sculptures weapons such as knives or other weaponry may be inserted into the head. In science fiction type sculptures, biomechanical devices may also be inserted into regions of the head. For example, hoses or wires may be inserted into the neck or head to represent a data transfer, life support or other biomechanical systems. The accessories are made of materials that will not melt or be damaged when the sculpture is heated to harden the modeling clay.
Once the exposed clay has been shaped and the accessories have been inserted, the clay is baked to harden the clay. This process is well known in the sculpture art. The sculpture can be left in an unpainted condition but can also be painted to create a more life-like form. With reference to
In some applications it may be desirable to reuse the armatures. If the sculpture is a temporary study or the results did not meet expectations, the clay may be removed from the armature. Certain types of modeling clay always remain soft. By using these soft materials, the armature can be ‘stripped’ of clay and re-sculpted into something completely different.
Once the sculpture is painted, it can be mounted on either a base, a body or an extended post. With reference to
With reference to
The best way to display the finished sculpture may be by mounding the sculptured head on a base which provides a stable platform for the sculpture. There are various types of bases that can be used and the most appropriate base will depend upon the sculpture itself. With reference to
With reference to
Although skulls have been used to create heads, the inventive armature is a distinct structure. The primary difference is that the armature resembles a living head that displays character and guides the sculptor rather than a dead and fairly characterless skull. The inventive armature has nose protrusions rather than orifices. The sculptor uses these protrusions to form the head sculpture. The inventive armature also does not have areas that are normally hollow portions of a skull such as the temples and cheeks. These solid areas of the armatures are designed to represent the exposed surfaces of a normal head.
Although the human head may resemble a skull, there are various differences. A skull represents the bone structure of the head. In contrast, the head armature represents the exterior surfaces of a human head. The back sides of the jaw on the inventive armature have been built out and are not voids to allow the smooth transition of clay from the jaw to the sides of the head. Another distinction is that the teeth may be considerably larger than true scaled human and animal teeth which further adds and differentiates the inventive head armatures from skulls. Another distinction is that the eye sockets of the armature are much larger than those of a skull. The larger eye sockets allow some clay and the eyeballs to be placed in the sockets. The larger sockets also allow a wide variety of eyes to be used with the armature and allow the eyes to be positioned in a wider variety of orientations in the sockets.
The lower jaw of the inventive armature also has a structural surface at the area partially surrounded by the teeth. This structural surface provides a support surface for clay. Clay placed on the lower surface in the area between the teeth of the lower jaw forms the exposed area of a head under the lower jaw. Clay placed on the upper surface in the area between the teeth of the lower jaw forms the lower area of the inner mouth and the tongue. In contrast, an anatomical lower jaw does not provide this structural surface and the area partially surrounded by the teeth is open. If an anatomical lower jaw was covered with clay, there would be no structural surface to support the clay placed under the lower jaw or in the lower inner mouth and tongue. All clay placed under the lower jaw would have to be supported by the surrounded jawbone structure. Because there is no structural surface to support the clay, this area would always be weak.
The inventive head armature sculpting kit provides a three-dimensional structure upon which modeling clay can be applied to form a character's head design. The shape of the armature structure allows a realistic head to be formed using a minimum of clay. Although the structure provides a basic shape, the user determines the thickness of clay applied to the structure and creates the final shape. The final shape of the sculpted piece can be substantially different than the shape of the armature structure.
The inventive armature structure is an improvement over wire and wood “armatures” which do not provide a good surface for attaching clay. Further, the claimed invention is a complete kit. All the tools necessary to accomplish the task of sculpting and painting and displaying a sculpted head are provided in the inventive sculpture kit which, at present, does not exist in a combined package. Art students or anyone with sculpting interest do not have to gather all of the required components such as aluminum wire and/or wood and work the materials into a form that can serve as a base on which to build a clay sculpture. The sculpture kit provides a very solid foundation for a beginning sculptor to learn sculpting techniques and increases the chances for success right from the start. It also allows the experienced sculptor to bypass the more tedious aspects of laying the foundation for a head sculpture and move straight into the more interesting visual surface of the sculpture.
In the foregoing, a sculpture kit that includes a head armature has been described. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/836,471 filed on Apr. 29, 2004, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/467,001 filed on Apr. 31, 2003. Both U.S. application Ser. No. 10/836,471 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/467,001 are hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60467001 | Apr 2003 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10836471 | Apr 2004 | US |
Child | 11298341 | Dec 2005 | US |