Sculpting Characters with Clay: A Beginner's Guide to Animation

Using a deliberate, step-by-step approach, Hollywood clay animator Mark Sawicki introduces viewers to the process of modeling characters from clay, beginning with suggestions on which clay to use (polymer, which hardens in a home oven) and an overview of the tools necessary to sculpt, bake and paint the characters. After covering the basics, Sawicki looks at three aspects of sculpting clay characters: "Posture," in which he demonstrates how posture is used to convey meaning in a character; "Anatomy," in which he recommends viewers study comic book artists to learn anatomy, and "Creation of Character," in which Sawicki creates a refrigerator magnet with the face of a railroad man. While older viewers may be put off by Sawicki's sometimes cutesy attitude, younger ones will get a chuckle out of his antics, and teachers will appreciate the study guide, which provides specific starter exercises, a quiz, and additional exercises for further practice. Recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (S. Fisher)