Plasticine Portrait Sculptures
The Set Up
Start with a simple wooden block. Drill a hole in the centre, squeeze in some glue, and slide in a piece of florist wire about twenty centimetres long. Pop a couple of beads on before the glue sets (they act like anchors so the head does not wobble). These bases are strong and ready for anything!
Fill trays with colourful plasticine, bright and tempting. Add rolling pins, skewers, spoons, and whatever shaping tools you love. Mirrors are essential here. Place them close so artists can lean in and notice their own features. Where exactly do your eyes sit? How far down does your hairline begin? What tiny detail would make your bust look like you? Maybe it's the curl of your fringe, the angle of your eyebrows or a scattering of freckles.
The Making
Plasticine is often quite stiff at first, so give it a good roll between your palms or slap it on the table a few times. Once it warms up, start shaping a head. Press your thumbs in for eye sockets. Roll coils for lips. Pinch slabs for hair. Keep checking the mirror and decide what matters most to capture. A single freckle or a dramatic eyebrow can suddenly turn it into you.
When the head feels complete, you're almost ready to slide it carefully onto the wire. First thought, it's a great idea to loop the wire at the base to create shoulders; it makes the whole sculpture feel more solid, more alive. Now is the moment the characters really come alive! Some look thoughtful, others wild or cheeky, all full of personality.
Variations
Mix two colours together for marbled swirls. Add jewellery, hats, or ribbons. Make a whole family of busts and see how each one takes on its own voice.
Materials
Wooden blocks
Drill and glue (hot glue or Gorilla Glue work best)
Florist wire (about 20cm pieces)
Wooden beads
Plasticine in assorted colours
Rolling pins, skewers, spoons, shaping tools
Mirrors