Fantastic Figures: Ideas and Techniques Using the New Clays [Paperback]

Susanna Oroyan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995

Here is a doll-making course that combines sculpted clay with cloth bodies. It presents each step in sculpting the head and body, curing and finishing the materials, and constructing the costume.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In Anatomy of a Doll master dollmaker Susanna Oroyan gave us a definitive work on cloth dollmaking. In Fantastic Figures she concentrates on unique dolls made from polymer and paper clays, especially those that combine sculpted clay with cloth bodies. Emphasizing innovation rather than imitation, she provides lengthy and detailed information on the clays themselves; on sculpting the head, hands, feet, and legs; on finishing medium and painting methods; and on constructing the body, clothes, hair, accessories, and even display stands and tableau settings. The appendix discusses doll clubs and organizations and offers advice from other doll experts. Numerous line drawings and diagrams supplement the text, but the best feature is the set of exquisite color photographs of dolls made by 60 professional doll artists, some of whose creations are almost frightening in their startling realism.

Product Details

• Paperback: 127 pages
• Publisher: C & T Publishing; First edition (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0914881000
• ISBN-13: 978-0914881001
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #210,979 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can create "fantastic figures"....Easily!, April 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fantastic Figures: Ideas and Techniques Using the New Clays (Paperback)

If you have ever entertained the thought of sculpting dolls using the new polymer and paper clays, this is the book for you! Ms. Oroyan will lead you through virtually every step of dollmaking, from your original ideas through the completion of your own, unique "work of art." She shares a wealth of information gained through years of experience and offers tips, techniques and proven methods of working in this newly discovered medium. You will be guided with clear and concise detailed instruction, illustrations and explore different alternatives to incorporate in your own creations. You will be amazed after seeing beautiful color photographs of other artists work and realize that each and every creation has its own distinct charm and personality. Through this book you will gain the skills and techniques to be able to confidently and competently create your own "fantastic figures."

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Figures, November 21, 2000

By 

P. Sahlin (Montgomery Creek, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fantastic Figures: Ideas and Techniques Using the New Clays (Paperback)

This book, and its companion, Designing the Doll, are both fabulous. The text is clear and easy to read, the line drawings are excellent, and the wide array of figures in photographs is very impressive. The book is heavily illustrated, and Susanna not only knows what she's doing, but she also write a great book about it. I'm a professional sculptor, and so often times the books fall far short of their expectation. Not these! Susanna comes through with flying colors. A must have for anyone doing small figure crafting with the new polymer clays.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST have for doll makers!, January 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fantastic Figures: Ideas and Techniques Using the New Clays (Paperback)

This book is an excellent reference for doll crafters from novice to advanced! Unlike many doll sculpting books that are excellent at showing how to make a specific doll from start to finish. This book concentrates on how to think creatively and apply the sculpting techniques shown(which are beautifully presented) to a piece that will be exclusively yours. I have been sculpting dolls for several years now and found this book informative, well written, and full of good advice for reawakening my creative mind!