BODY PARTS & sculpting TOOLS

for much more on HEADS, see Heads-Masks
....(plus more on age, gender & ethnicity characteristics, proportions for features, etc.... and skin tones)

...loads more info on body parts --human, animal, and alien is on main Sculpting page... especially the first few websites listed under Sculpting, Instructions!!, esp. Dan Perez' site) .. Websites section there may move to its own page soon though

...for armatures (esp. for larger figures) & stands, etc., see Armatures--Permnent

...to purchase eyes, hair, etc., supplies, see Supply Sources

Whole-Body proportions

simple lesson on ovals technique for creating correct body proportions
http://www.sanford-artedventures.com/create/tech_oval_action_figures.html

from THE DANE:
Human Proportions: There are two forms of measurement for sculpture and 2-D figure artworks.
A. Inches or metric measure.. a man is 72 inches (6 feet) high and a woman is 5 foot 8 inches high. The human skull is 8 to 9 inches high. Scale figures 1/5th (16 inch), 1/6th (12 inch), 1/8th (9inch), 1/9th(8inch), 1/12th (6 inch), 120mm (8.25inch approx. I'm not great with metrics), 1/35th) military tank scale(2.25 inch0, and gaming scales, 25mm(1 inch), 54mm also.
B. Artistic Measure... people are 8 heads heights tall. Mid Height is just below the groin or crotch. Elbows end at the waist. Legs are a 6(thigh) to 5(lower leg) ratio. Men are 2.5 heads wide at shouders(widest point). Women are 2 heads wide at the hips (widest point). Hands are one face(from chin to hair line) long. Feet are one head long. Finger tips end at 1/3rd down on thigh. Chest opening at bottom of sternum (solar plexus) on men is 45 degrees wide and on women is 60 degrees wide. Navel (belly button) hieght Men: at waist, Women: just below waist.

Types of figure Measurements:
The PAST: (men) 6.5 heads high, TODAY: 7.0 heads high, FASHION Style: 7.5,
HERO: 8.0 heads high, MONSTER or MYTHIC HERO: 9 heads high

HEAD MEASUREMENTS:
Eyes are at center from top of skull to bottom of chin. Ears are midway back on skull. Back bottom of skull ends at bottom of nose. Face measure (from hair line to chin) brow is 1/3rd down, nose bottom is 2/3rds down, ears are same hieght and location vertically as nose. Eyes are one eye space apart(any wider looks smarter, any narrower looks less intelligent). Nose nostrals are (Caucasion Whites) one eye space apart. Mouth corners width end at eye centers.

MOTION RANGES OF JOINTS:
Head and hips can turn almost 90 degrees side to side. Spine has movement only at neck and below rib cage. Shouder Blades start move up only after the arms have risen 30 degrees.

This is lesson one for you. The best way to learn is by not trying to create a master piece, but get into the joy of practice and learning. Playing like a child is the best way to sculpt.Any questions or problems E-mail me and send jpeg figure pictures for free critiquing. Let's all have some FUN! Sincerely, THE DANE figuredane@aol.com

from KATHERINE DEWEY:
Elvenwork Modeling Mat (and the Junior mat) http://elvenwork.com/workbook.html...Katherine Dewey's mats with all the landmarks and proportions of the human (adult and child) form listed and accurately illustrated at 1/12th scale on a precise grid, the scale used by most miniaturists... the other side is a multi-purpose work surface complete with a grid, clay measuring and cutting guides that will make it easy to convert the scale of your figures upward or downward.
..... my work mats got here from Elvenwork, and I have to say that these things are going to be a real time-saver! I got both of the mats... the adult and the child... I now have a quick reference for sizing and checking proportions on my dolls - no more scribbling notes on freezer paper! I'd seen copies of her workbooks, before, so I knew the work mats were going to be pretty cool - they are so completely thorough in the amount of information on them. The child mat has children from six months old up to ten years old. Really neat, Katherine! I'm going to love these! Elizabeth

(Katherine Dewey, 1998) ...Those who took my course or bought the handbooks at Ravensdale will understand this post. Follow are ratios that produce a leaner, but still accurate figure. I fear Henri Moore's influence got to me: I've been aculpting a fuller figure lately, and the ratios given reflect that. Here are the new ratios, ideal for elves and their ilk:
FEMALE
Head: 1 ball; Eyes: 1/128; Eye Lid: 1/128; Nose: 1/64, 1/128; Cheeks: 1/64, 1/128*; Ears: 1/64; Neck: ¼; Torso: 3, 3 ¼; Breast: 1/32, 1/16*; Thigh: 3/4, 1; Calf & Foot: 1/2, ¾; Ankle: 1/128; Upper Arm: 1/4, 5/8; Forearm: 3/16; Hand: 1/16; Thumb 1/64, 1/128; Shoulders: 1/32
MALE
Head: 1 Ball; Eyes: 1/128; Eye Lid: 1/128; Nose: 1/64; Jaw: 1/32*; Ears: 1/64; Neck: 1/4, 3?/8; Torso: 3 1/2, 4; Thigh: 1, 1 ½; Calf & Foot: 1, 1 1/8; Ankle: 1/128, 1/64; Upper Arm: 3/8, ½; Forearm: 1/4, 3/8; Hand: 1/8; Thumb: 1/64,; Shoulders: 1/32, 1/16

proportions of average adult human body and face:
* The average adult is eight heads tall (eight times the measurement of the head from the bottom of the chin to the top of the scalp). A woman's head is slightly smaller than a man's head, but both are still eight heads tall.
* The hips are at just about the halfway point; in other words, the legs are about four heads long.
* The eyes are halfway between the top of the head and the bottom of the chin.
* The space between the eyes is one eye-width.
* The size of the ears can be determined by aligning them between the eyebrow and the bottom of the nose.
* The placement of the ears should be just behind the center line of the skull in profile, positioned straight up and down.
* Divide the bottom half of the face in thirds to determine the placement of the nose and mouth.
* The nose is about as wide as the index finger.

* The hand can be measured using the face as reference--if the heel of the hand is placed against the bottom of the chin, the middle finger should reach to about mid-forehead; a man's hand might reach his hairline.
* Each finger bone between knuckles (tarsal, I think) is about 1.5 times the length of the next smaller tarsal.
* The foot is the same length as the forearm, measured from the inside of the elbow to the wrist where it meets the heel of the hand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Proportion Wheel for doll artists! .... a 9" wheel that calculates accurate proportion for any size figure from 2-32" (simply dial the wheel to the desired figure height, and use the dimensions given in 10 key areas around the figure diagram)
... order online at http://www.gnomebodies.com (now gone?--sh. be available elsewhere?)...cost $18. plus $4. priority shipping. Linda

Overall Figure Types

The proportion, size, shape, color, texture of any body part can be created to look realistic, or it can be unrealistic-abstract (perhaps distorted).
....for example, the part could be short or long, fat or thin, extra-large or extra-small... or some parts could be one style, and other parts diff.

Some figures have all their body parts present (torso, head-facial features, neck, arms-hands, legs-feet)
........ but some have fewer parts and are still recognized and considered "figures"
....parts can also be suggested, but not complete (e.g., a short bit of twig extending from each shoulder to suggest arms, or a vertical indention created in a solid area of the lower body to indicate legs)
...when body parts are omitted, in general the first part to go is often the neck... followed by feet-legs... hands-arms ... torso... facial features: ears, nose, mouth, eyes ... (heads are sometimes omitted too, but then any or all other parts must be used) ...all these things up to the maker, of course

physical details can be added to any part even if the part itself remains abstract... or embellishments can be added to any part
...e.g., on a torso: boobs, round belly-hips-navel, jewelry or clothing ...on an "arm": bracelet or purse... on a "head": elaborate mouth or hair, etc., ...not to mention attached, dangling, or projecting feathers, wire, stones, beads, whatever

skin color possibilities:
...flesh (Caucasian, Asian, light brown, cocoa, dark brown)...(see recipes in Heads-Masks >Skin Tones)
...white... white with gloss finish (faux ceramic)
...black
...translucent: plain... over white (alabaster) or color... tinted, with inclusions
...Pearl: over white or any color... tinted... using a mica technique
...pink or other pastels
...special colors like: green or glow-in-the-dark for a monster, witch... red for devil ...bone for skeleton, etc.
...any color at all

flexibility options for figures
....immovable poses (rigid)
... jointed (usually for arms and legs only... but could also be at neck, or elbows-knees, or hands-feet)
......joints can be movable in all directions, or only in 1-2 directions --depending on the material used for the joint, and the shape and tightness of the connected parts
.......e.g., the flexibility of most cording will give a joint that's able to move easily in any direction, whereas metal eyepins may give a more restricted motion
.......closely or tightly joined pieces or those with short connectors, may not be able to move as much as loosely joined ones or those with longer connectors
....... shape of ends to be connected can block each other's movement somewhat, or allow more of it

(for most rigid figures and dolls, see Sculpting)

Bendy, flexible figures

pipe cleaners, etc.

lesson on figure from pipe cleaner (aka chenille stem)
http://www.mcuniverse.com/Miniature_Figure.668.0.html
lesson on 3" dolls ("wee folk") each made from a 12", 3mm dia pipe cleaner, folded in half, then for neck and arms
... 14mm wood bead head, real acorn cap...clothing (dress shown) of wool felt sewed with blanket stich and embroidery floss, perle cotton belt...neck of pipe cleaner poked through top of dress-shirt... long "fleece" hair?
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_dolls/article/0,,HGTV_3242_2334417,00.html

tallmouse's West African dressed figures made with doubled pipecleaner for arms, dowel through bead (head), robe-dress rectangle of fabric (diamond cut out in center for head, then tie around waist and neck, turban)
.....these figures often carry everyday items like baskets with fruits/ vegetables/ straw/ fish, buckets, jugs, beautiful boxes, lanterns and filled sacks
http://www.tallmouse.com/projects/kids/african/index.htm

"macaroni monsters" -- jointed figures &animals on pipe cleaners
...could be made with polymer clay tube beads (thin walled) instead of dried pasta pieces
...for animals, create torso by sliding a few pieces of macaroni (or tube-shaped, or other polymer beads) onto the center of a pipe cleaner....bend on both sides to form neck and tail... add more (beads), folding ends of pipe cleaner to hold in place... bend neck between beads 90° to make a head... attach pipe cleaner-and-tube bead legs, etc.. can add other parts like ears, horns, manes, of clay with glue or other pipe clearns.... can also wrap pipe cleaners with beads around torso, if want.
http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/feature/famf97project/famf97project22.html
...if using clay, these could resemble brightly painted wood figures (and chairs) which have a different color and diff. pattern on each section ...similar to
http://www.artware.ns.ca/Retail%20Store.htm#Birds%20of%20Paradise

...add my pipe cleaner doll or figure instructions (and Grace's photo?)

pipe cleaners (the bumpy kind) formed into many tiny animals by Garie and his kids
... then bodies are embellished with shapes of raw clay (and bit of white tacky glue?) to add eyes, muzzles, bellies, plus hands and feet, and many other things... then baked at 265 for 15 min. (frog, bears, Picachu, monkeys, bunnies, dragon, etc. )
http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/furry.htm
Garie's lesson on making a fluffy bear with bump pipe cleaners
http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/furry_stems.htm

Max's wonderful pipe cleaner figures and action heroes (no clay, but could be)
http://www.likeacarp.com/max%20page.htm
Family Fun's examples of pipe cleaner figures
http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/buildmodel/feature/famf0200pipecleaner/

(see also below under Jointed for Sue's using short lengths of pipe cleaner as joints between clay arms or leg and clay torso)

mostly-wire figures

lesson on making a flexible simple colored wire figure... 2- 3 pieces of corrugated cardboard (for head and body, or head and chest and pelvis), which can then be posed or "play baseball" etc.... head has drawn face
http://twisteez.com/lessons.html

Dar’s mostly-wire “ladies” pins ...torso is one large, flat, fairly triangular polished stone, multi-wrapped with wire and beads
...for hair and head, loose coils of wire around a ring of wire ...each leg or arm is a short wire with loop at end (one has tiny stone attached to loop for shoe )
http://www.afamilyjournal.com/WireLadies2.jpg and http://www.afamilyjournal.com/WireLadyGold.jpg

Susan B's lesson on making a tiny simple wire figure ...then (partly) clothing it with caned clay (sheet of spirals)
http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_wiredwomen.htm
Marcia B’s a tiny wire body with a polymer cane slice wrapped around (square orientation) for a dress...head of wrapped wire, hair of 7 cut loops of embroidery floss
http://www.rubberart.com/classes/class6_people.html (lesson gone)
Michelle R's lesson on making a small body from twisted wire (wood bead head)... filling it out with scrap white clay... dressing with cane-slices top (probaly disk, w/ slash to center), a textured/highlighted skirt piece, and a belt? to gather top ... hair is loops of embroidery floss gathered in the wire above head, trimmed at ends
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/crafting/article/0,1789,HGTV_3352_1399700,00.html

Debra G's art figure in shadow box... mostly wrapped wire, with polymer head and hands
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_clay_figures/article/0,1789,HGTV_3237_3417221,00.html

see also bead people and tube-bead people below in Jointed
>>>>>>> reference aluminum foil figures

flexible, posable puppet (or figure ) made with 2 twisted wires, wrapped with cloth tape + sheets of polyfill a for extra thickness ...then (epoxy) clay, but leaving actual joints are wire-only
http://www.darkstrider.net/puppet_tut.html

(flexible clays)

for making figures from special clays which remain flexible after baking, see (Sculpey's Super Flex) "Bake and Bend" clay n Characteristics > Super Flexible Clays
(one lesson on using it to make a flexible frog) http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_Nick_RainForestFrog.htm

Jointed figures ...(3-D and flat)

General Info.

ADD ALL OTHERS HERE

many of the Dia de los Muertos skeleton figures could be jointed, or just inspirational for jointed figures (see Halloween > Dia delos Muertos)
...a jointed (plastic) skeleton http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/dia.html
...Joanne's skeleton ladies (white skin) have arms and necks which look jointed but aren't ...facial features & finger lines added with black paint

see also "marionettes" below for more inspiration for jointed figures (...just don't add strings or rods)... lots of ethnic ones too

arms-legs-heads for jointed figures could be made with clay:
clay fauxs :
...wood (unfinished or finished, "stained" or natural) ...twigs-bark...cork... terra cotta... ivory... jade or other semi precious stones...stone... metal... straw or twine... leather
(see Fauxs-many, Faux-turquoise&wood, Faux-ivory, Inclusions)
patterned clay:
...random pattern of stars, flowers, or any clay pattern
...abstract (marbled colors, mica manipulations)
...particular colors/patterns to indicate stockings, gloves, shoes, etc
(other possibilites for any clay)
...add texture (and maybe highlighting or antiquing)
...twisted-braided clay ropes

...use beads or tube bead for limbs and/or hands-feet
...use a mask or plain ball as a head
...make any kind of shoes, hats (or other accessories) and clothing for a particular figure's look (ethnic, seasonal, period, etc.)

or with mixed media:
real objects
... some 3-D items could be twigs or bamboo... twine (frayed for hands?)... wire (plain, twisted, flattened)... plastic (tubes, coated wire)... fabric (stuffed, pleated,rolled)... cording... twine... ribbon... paper-cardstock... fabric embedded with translucent clay or liquid clay
...for heads, anything round, oval, etc., but could really be any shape-thickness
.......coin, cane slice, small rock or polished stone, any piece of nature, metal washer, glass, aluminum foil shape, metal or other bead or "charm" or some part of a piece of jewelry,
...many "junkyard dolls" made from all kinds of things... most have dangle arms and legs
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/abbottdolls.html

"Parts" of limbs (or clothing, etc.) can be any amount of the whole limb you want
... e.g., an entire one-piece arm could dangle from a shoulder... or the arm could be broken up into various clay shapes, beads, wire or wire coils, other materials for many parts (some of which could be jointed or strung on eye pins, etc.)
....legs could include shoes as one piece, or shoes could dangle

You can also use other materials and items to create "joints" which can move in all directions, or one direction
...cording of various kinds and materials could be used
...wire or pipe cleaners (could also be twisted or braided)
...for shoulder sockets, you might check out fishing swivels. It's a bead between two wire loops. The loops can be turned individually. The shoulder "muscle" over the arm socket might just be so thin and delicate that it would have to be made out of something other than clay. Maybe belt lining (available at fabric stores) embedded in the clay.
...I used chain like the kind used in pull chain lights....also embedded right into the joints. I am going to try this on my marionettes next…
....jumprings or things connected with eye pins or jumprings
....Irene C's joints made from embedded snaps http://www.polymerclayhaven.com/lessons/joints.htm (gone)
....Nancy's wire springs for legs/necks birds (heads, feet and body/wings made of clay) (website gone)
..........(see also nodders and bobbleheads in Kids > Sculpting)
...the hinges on pinbacks might work if they're bare, but the upper and lower bar and pin were covered with clay, or embellished,
... ll the results (on doll joints) went into my miniature polymer clay dolls book . Sue Heaser
...fabric embedded with liquid clay or translucent clay
...liquid clay ropes

"cotter pin joints": plastic or cardboard discs in each part held together with a cotter pin which is bent apart inside the body (for clay too?).

SOME OF THE FOLLOWING SUB-CATEGORIES OVERLAP...need to be sorted

Jointed or Dangle

by number of "units"
(below, both arms are counted as one "unit" ...also both legs as one unit)

Maureen Carlson's lesson on 2-unit figure (jointed at one area) with dangling arms (using embedded eye pin in "shoulder" and in arm to connect)
...body is 2 thick, tapered square cane slices (top square lengthened and narrowed a bit at top; bottom sq. narrowed a bit at top... join)
...neck is small flattened clay ball
...head is molded face placed on top of flattened ball a little larger than face (black clay with blue Pearl Ex)
...hair is 9 bent U's of colored wire (could be cut paperclips too) placed around face (jowl to jowl)... between face and "head"
...arms are simple tapered logs (wide end down)... insert eye pin in tip of small end on both
...butt head to neck to body, add eyepins to shoulder areas, butt neck to body, butt head on neck
...bake body and arms separately ... after cooling, attach arms by joining eye pins
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/ProjectPrint?width=80&pid=24065

Patricia's 2 unit figures (no arms)... separated at neck with one bead, and at legs with several beads
http://reve.roche.free.fr/patpinups.htm

Melnik's 3-unit figures, jointed at two places ...with embedded eye pins in shoulders and hips ...head & torso...arms...legs
http://melnik.freeservers.com/orn.html

Selkies's 3 unitdangle figures: ...head... upper toso & arms ... lower torso-skirt & feet
http://hometown.aol.com/selkiewhitebear/myhomepage/collection.html (gone?)

3-unit cane slices figures ..... head,hat,trunk,upper arm ... lower arms... legs/shoes
http://www.flowervalleypress.com/five.html (from the book "Five Artists--Five Directions in PolymerClay")

Nina's jester figures jointed between 4 units: .... head,hat & trunk (collar,shirt,skirt) ..... arms...legs....shoes
...also (hands & shoes are a bead, a wire spiral, group of beads, etc.)
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=5377855&uid=132892

Fayette's many fabulous dangle figures! ... mostly 4-units ... many diff. leg and arm styles & beads
...many heads, hats, shoes .......mermaids w/ separate tails..... ethnic & Halloween , figures etc.
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=778722&uid=492837

fashionruler's robot dangle... 4 units... arm is 3 unit but wrist is a stiff. joint
http://harlejm.blogdrive.com/archive/11.html

Lala's larger jointed figure/puppet made from various thick flat shapes of decorative clay, held with wire (& rivets)... clay slice face
http://www.sdpcg.org/Sandy%20Camp%208/sc8ap211.jpg

Various More jointed and/or dangle
.... some a little different and/or jointed with other materials...

Cheryl's many and varied fabulous, more abstract, ethnic-looking figures
.....canes ....lots of mixed media for skirts (some are danglies)... hair ...many legs are danglies
.....most arms are interesting fixed-position (clay-covered wire strand, or wire coiled around clay rope, or around other wire)
http://members.shaw.ca/gera/new_page_1.htm

many wonderful varied jointed figures (very abstract), by different clayers
---made with clay, beads, yarns wire, charms (with different types of parts, and different looks)
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/funfigs.html

Julie's 6-unit, dangle-jointed figures from thick-flat clay shapes (cane slices?)... joined with eye pins (or small bead between)
......units are: head-hair, upper torso, lower torso (a skirt), arm-hand, and legs-feet (together )
http://members.aol.com/wise1j/page1.html ("Kidz Pinz")

Tonja's 3-unit Lanky Lady pin... flat clay cutout as body-head... long arms and legs made from beads on a head pin attached with jump rings to holes in body... flat clay hands and feet at ends of head pins... (lesson will be in Polmer Cafe magazine)
http://www.tonjastreasures.com/jewelry1/tn30.htm

Loretta's triangle (body) girl pins, with coiled wire arms & legs with polymer hands and shoes attached, clay disk heads & wire coils hair
http://www.members.tripod.com/loretta.hughes/id35.htm
Chris Gluck's lesson on making funny & simple bugs (could be people)... coiled colored wires for arms & legs, but head & torso rigidly connected
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_kid_crafts/article/0,1789,HGTV_3256_1385790,00.html
Krista's jointed "birds or paradise", using beads or wire for long necks, legs attached to flat torso... heads are 3-D (see also assem. fig's)
http://www.artware.ns.ca/Retail%20Store.htm#Birds%20of%20Paradise
Nancy's legs-dangling flamingo; body is covered xmas ball (website gone)
Christel's lesson on making a "rabbit" hair holder, using elastic for the holding band and also for the dangly feet and hands
http://www.pcpolyzine.com/0203march/rabbit.html (click on any photo to see enlargement)
http://home.online.no/~raje/Web/Rabbit/full/2002_0201_202602BB.JPG (unfinished rabbits with clothing)
Gilda's cute dangles with large shoes dangling from long string legs
http://members2.clubphoto.com/gilda220950/2043485/guest.phtml
chicken ...& other animals leather thong dangly legs (other animals in dropdown menu)
http://www.eberhardfaber.com/Comic_Chickens.EBERHARDFABER?ActiveID=17200
Micky's dangle arms and legs made from embroidery floss and beads... one also has a dress made from a wrapped-around length of fringe
http://neabez.home.comcast.net (click on Dolls ... 2 of the gray-haired ones)
Josh's lesson for ribbon-dangle cow, cat, apple and snowman
http://joshclay.com/projects.html
Dawn's Dolly Dangles (website gone)
seasont's jointed dangling figures (website gone)

Gwen's dangling Humpty (and jester)
.... note the hole created for the leg's jumpring formed by 2 U-shaped clay extensions under body, each with a hole
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=271391&uid=145717

interesting shoulders... rod or bar inserted through "neck" of chain links (to create shoulder unit)
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/funfigs.html (see Evelyn's figures)

Kris R's very cute flat "Polydollys" (not "jointed" but could be)
... various body parts made from different clay patterns (slices from canes & stacks, or pattern sheets cut with cutters)
http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_PolyDollys.htm ...lesson

Jean Comport's Ouchie Box (clay-covered metal bandaid box)... simple beaded arms dangling from each side (head pressed on top of box body)
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4153008&a=31266991&p=68352233&f=0
Beckah's jointed figure with covered matchbox bottom as torso... flat arms and legs are jointed to sides of upright box with brads or bolt and washer?... head fixed rigidly on top of box end
http://www.bearingbeads.com/Box%20Buddy%20Pictures.htm
Dan's and Tracy's "figures" made with box and other shapes .... tube bead arms, etc.
http://www.nwpcg.org/ravensdale/classes.shtml (gone)
Merri Beth's jointed arms made from beads and jingle bells (hands?), attached to "Roly Poly" torso formed over glass ball ornament or light bulb?
http://www.nwpcg.org/ravensdale/rave/rave00/hill.shtml (gone)

pipe cleaners +long clay "bead" arms and legs = posable joints)
...make holes through the limbs (arms and legs) with a fine knitting pin (diameter?) before baking --think of the little limbs as long beads
...then make corresponding (short?) holes in the body (where they will attach) (not through body)
...thread pipe-cleaners through the limbs
(...glue the ends of the pipe-cleaners into the tops of the lower legs, the tops of the lower arms (?)... and then thread on the limbs... then glue the other ends into holes in the body)... . Sue Heaser ( add hands and feet (or hands and feet built into "limbs"?)

Garie's film cannister people ...many whimsical sculptures & chess set
http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/spools.htm and http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/morespool.htm

*wild, jointed figures (mostly flat).. all kinds, but especially "paper dolls" (not polymer?, but easily could be)
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/dolls.html ...& Liz's http://www.libzoid.com/files/polydoll.jpg

*Ginny L's larger elaborate wire figures... many separate (flattish) clay parts threaded on wire... attached with sometimes elaborate wire (to create one dangling figure)
http://www.digitalartbeat.com/sculpture/bellrna.htm and http://www.digitalartbeat.com/sculpture/diva.htm and
http://www.digitalartbeat.com/sculpture/bchbabe.htm

inspired by PAPER, or OTHER MATERIAL, figures
...You can make jointed flat figures (like paper dolls or puppets) with button-type polymer disks instead of the traditional paper fasteners at the joints (puppets could be paper or flat polymer clay). Make two holes in each disk, then thread a u-shaped bent wire through the holes and the corresponding body holes of both, from front to back; twist wire in back, and trim off ends.
....here is one template & lesson: http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/paperdoll.htm
paper figures (hinged--mostly paper but inspirational)
http://www.polyclay.com/paper.htm
loads of different paperdoll patterns (or printables) ...(+animals, historic, movie, cartoon, misc.)
http://freepapertoys.com/paperdolls.html#1
...also dress the dolls online http://www.paperdolls.com/pages/dressem.htm
paper doll websites http://www.clothdollconnection.com/PaperDolls.html
Sarajane’s character dolls (& paperdolls) (hinged--mostly paper but inspirational) http://www.polyclay.com/paper.htm
very cool figures made from flat component pieces, which are onlaid with each other to create a whole (painted, embellished wood, but could be clay)
http://www.pekin.net/pekin10/wash/artwood_ud/index.html (gone)
various figures (hinged) diff. paper patterns, etc., but still inspirational
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/contents.html
...lesson on figure with 5 parts (head/torso + 4 limbs) connected with brads (front view) http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Ballerina.shtml
...see also jumping jack figures of various kinds http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/stpatrick/Leprechaun.shtml
acrobat figure lesson below under Dolls & Other Figures, shows similar technique used with clay pieces, but figure is from the side rather than front-on

small bead figures (jointed) like the following could be created with polymer beads instead (or polymer beads mixed with other beads)
Sue S's Beople figures... jointed with fancy bead bodies... beaded arms/legs longer beads for feet, and crazy, mixed media hair
http://home.attbi.com/~beoples/gallery.htm
moonbaby bead people (many pages with diff. theme figures)
http://www.amtraco.com/%7Emoonbabies
simple lesson on making bead-type people (top to bottom)
http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/Iles/demosp/Mari.html
lesson on making bead people (bottom to top)
http://www.beadstudio.com/info.php?a=141
few moonbaby animals, bugs, etc., using projecting beads only for legs or hair, etc., around large face or lg. body
http://www.amtraco.com/%7Emoonbabies
Lynne M 's boy and girl jointed figures (cane slices/shapes, jointed with eye pins or curved wire --pipe clearners? or wire-wrapped arms & legs?)
http://store1.yimg.com/I/manning-creations_1814_652334
wire and beads figures (some have personality or good-cause accessory)
http://www.nanosite.com/confab/awareness.html
http://www.nanosite.com/confab/wwnote-holders.html (head and body only, mostly wire)
Patricia's wire & mostly seed bead arms and legs (long, posable)... also head beads made with face cane slices, and hats made from disk of clay + wire toploop... some have simple painted faces
http://reve.roche.free.fr/zagdouns.htm
.... http://reve.roche.free.fr/aimantsmagnets.htm & http://reve.roche.free.fr/aimantsmagnets.htm

tube bead figures
jointed figures & animals on pipe cleaners could be make with all kinds, sizes and shapes of polymer tube beads (patterned, embellished, or plain, etc.), substituting for the pasta pieces! DB (see more on making tube beads in Beads > Tube Beads)
(see more on this idea above under Bendy, Flexible --"macaroni monsters")

(see also more ways to make joints in Armatures)
...for cutting, preparing and covering or painting aluminum flashing figures , see Covering > Metal

esp. "dolls" & other figures

(somewhat realistic figures ... often with simple joints at shoulders and hips)

most of the following examples are made with plain white bulk Sculpey, and painted after baking (though certainly wouldn't have to be)
...some clothing patterns, shoes, etc. may be painted on
...but fabric often used for clothing, or partial clothing ...may have mixed media accessories/jewelry/ trims, etc.
...legs and arms often long and slender ...small, slender heads ... very long hair
...simple joints at shoulders and hips using wire, ending with wire loop or bead outside each shoulder)
...often "odd/Goth" or Edwin Gorey effect
(...but...Sfigures like this could also be animals, or have none of these characteristics though)

Spookbot... women, painted fancy eyes, lower dress area made from fabric/trims, some with hair painted on, wire-loop joints...also skeleton figures
http://spookbot.com/green/index.html (click on My Dolls, at left)
Dollings ...women, painted fancy eyes, lower dress area made from fabric/trims, wire-loop joints ...back stories to go with each figure
http://www.thedollings.com (click on Sold)
Strangedolls... worry figures (and others)...embroidery floss or dental floss (many strands) joints
http://www.strangedolls.net/dollprofiles/worrydoll1.html
Micky's various figures ...mostly jointed with floss or cording
http://neabez.home.comcast.net (click on Dolls)

"Dame Darcy" doll (shown on Crafters Coast to Coast) ...long arms/legs...long neck...v.long hair...small head...fabric dress/trim... 5-6" tall
http://www.damedarcy.com/products/dolls.htm ...http://www.damedarcy.com/products/products.html
......downloadable doll-making video http://www.nutmusic.com/damedarcy (currently unavailable)
..(she used plain white bulk Sculpey, but I'd suggest a stronger clay like Premo, Fimo, Kato --in white or any color)
...shape a head and torso unit with a tapered rope of white clay (~3 1/2" x 3/4" at top?)
...flatten face area a bit ...roll neck area between thumb and index finger to narrow it (long neck)
...narrow waist area same way ...flatten abdomen a bit
...press inward on hip joint area on each side of belly to narrow it at an angle (will better fit upper leg later)
...make fairly large joint hole through upper torso almost at breast level (drill with needle tool, et., from outside one shoulder, through torso, out 2nd shoulder)
...make another joint hole through depressed hip area (side to side)
...rest of face (ends up somewhat triangular)
.....eyes/nose: press index finger of each hand into eye area and slightly toward each other, to create 2 large shallow depressions (also creates beginning of a nose)... pull nose out a bit more ...add small flattened balls of clay in each eye depression
.....onto mouth area press small ball ...indent horizontally to create separate lips... press small vertical line down into top lip, to create lip bow
...arm...make thin, tapered rope (bit shorter than head/torso in length)... press down on smaller end to create hand... indent 3-4 small lines to indicate fingers... make hole through top of arm for later stringing (watch hole orientation so hands will hang with fingers forward!) ...make 2nd arm
...leg (slender rope but wider than arm.. same length as head/torso) ...taper let to a point (leave for simple shoe, pointing down... or create high-heeled shoe by turning up tapered end on leg a bit, then pinching a heel-arch for it)...
...knee ..pinch middle of leg area a little, then roll-narrow leg a little just underneath
...hip ..flatten inside top of each leg a bit ...make hole through top of leg (watch orientation)... make 2nd leg
...bake pieces at 275 about 20 minutes (...though Sculpey can darken at that temp) ...cool
...paint all pieces with acrylic paints before assembling... (wipe down with alcohol beforehand for best stickability... can use "artists" paint in tubes which are thicker than bottled, or may need 2 coats)
...(face): bright red lips (paint nice lip shape on mouth mound)
.....eyes... paint thick black line in crease along top of flattened ball to create upper eyelashes...then shorter-lighter black line in bottom crease for lower eyelashes... in-between black lines, paint large colored iris (will be truncated a bit by eyelashes)...add black dot for pupil
.....cheeks ...paint pink disks on cheek area (can water paint down, if desired)
...long stockings ...paint alternating stripes around lower legs (can even make each stocking diff. color)
......paint shoes over stockings ...high heeled shoes with "cross-strap"... or plain shoes (just paint tips of feet)
..assemble ...string arm-torso-arm together with cording...make knot in cording at each end ...can dab with bit of nail polish to secure (can also add sequin or bead to cording before knotting)
..assemble leg-torso-leg the same way
..fabric clothing... make simple shift-type dress using truncated-cone of fabric by sewing long sides together...add sleeves or not... cut length at knee or below ...can embellish by hand sewing several "buttons" (beads of diff. colors) down front of dress and/or add trims to bottom, collar, etc
.....slip dress over head, pulling it way down so neck area looks really long --part of this look
..hair (straight "real" hair... or any kind) ...put E-6000 glue onto head and add hair like a skull cap ... press center of very long hank of hair to top of head, and press some to sides... trim any unruly hairs (hair can be as long as hips or knees if desired)

Judy's lesson on making a toy polymer acrobat figure (with flat pieces... body in profile) from diff. baked clay pattern pieces, jointed with wire ---spiraled and flattened outside each join) ...it does sommersaults on string when frame is squeezed
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_clay_figures/article/0,1789,HGTV_3237_2831708,00.htm

marionettes ...(jointed puppets)
often jointed at knees and elbows as well

(without the strings or rods, these make good inspiration for regular jointed figures and dolls...)

Garie's small bear marionette puppet ...6 pieces, connected to thin nylon filament strings... has T arrangement of popscicle sticks for controller
http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/bear-puppet.htm
Garie's lesson on making a small puppet from a clothespin ("cloth clip"), jointed with wire loops, and toilet roll holder(?)
...4-6 pieces (don't understand swinging legs)
http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/clip2.htm

Garie's mid-sized marionette figure (no clothes yet)...8 or more joints
http://www.garieinternational.com.sg/clay/bare_puppet.htm

Lynelle's lesson on a more complicated marionette...10 pieces (+ optional 2 for "tail")...... jointed also at knees and elbows ...added fabric costume
http://members.aol.com/lynellev/catgallery.htm

flexible, posable puppet (or figure ) made with 2 twisted wires, wrapped with cloth tape + sheets of polyfill a for extra thickness ...then (epoxy) clay, but leaving actual joints wire-only
http://www.darkstrider.net/puppet_tut.html

mini-me marionette (vegbee's husband) made by running wire through each body part, leaving a bit sticking out at any ends which will be joints... then forming a loop at ends of wires before joining two together ...(he also poked a small hole in hands and knees to pass through the invisible thread (monofilament), winding it through the hands, knees and top of head... tied the monofiliament from head, from knees and from hands to wood crosspiece for moving ...he suggests figuriong out the best length for each string so movements you want can be created)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e386/vegbee/mar2.jpg

I find that my marionette is difficult to operate because I did not constrict the movement of the limbs. you can form the limbs in such a way as to only allow certain movements which would greatly improve the end result. Have fun building your very own you.

Jan's bird marionette, comprised of only 4 polymer parts (flat body-with-onlaid-wing, flat head, and two hemiphere feet)... length of string (or pipe cleaner??) connected between head and body, and body and each foot (embedded in clay)... 4 strings control movement, and are tied through (side to side) hole in top of head, hole in tail (drilled into edge from one side of tail to other, and wrapped around bottom cording of legs to feet)
http://www.mindspring.com/~janruh/clay/bird.jpg
....similar bird marionette, but with large beads threaded onto the string lengths... other marionettes http://www.marionettes.com/ozzie
...(add my photos of fabric bird marionettes like this)
...4-legged animal marionette (unicorn) at unicorns.com (gone)

simple bunny marionette wtih flat body & 2 dangling feet which move ... 3 pieces (head+body, +2 feet)... 3 strings attach fr. T controller to head & ea.foot (not made from clay)
http://tac.shopnetmall.com/www.funroom.com/easter/bnymarionet.html (If photos don't show, click on "template," then return to page.... should become visible)

what about a miniature marionette inside a box. ...stand the box (cigar or other) on its side and you can have the lid/door open or not... if you have a string coming out of a hole at the top, you could pull it and make it jump). Nora-Jean
...DHM (Doll House Miniatures?), the March 2000 issue, page 56, has an article on Poly-clay marionettes by Sue Heaser ...lenora

examples of many marionettes http://tinyurl.com/6aea5 (google search)
many Asian marionettes http://www.lotzdollpages.com/lpmarion.html

rod puppets.... there are also marionette types which have only moveable arms, and are connected/controlled by sticks from below rather than by cording from above ... these are often from Indonesia, Bali, India, etc. ......wayang golek, wayang kletik, etc.
http://www.marionettepuppets.com

(for more on marionettes as well as unjointed puppets of all types, see Sculpting-gen > Other Items > Puppets)

fabric

fabric bodies can be "jointed" too... either by just stuffing them loosely, or actually sewing a line of stitching across each joint to narrow it (or could be tied or gathered)
...lots of patterns (free & purchase) can be found online for simple or complex muslin shapes to make figures with
http://tinyurl.com/68ajx and http://tinyurl.com/5aahy
http://www.clothdollconnection.com/FreePatterns.html (patterns, tips, various other figures)
... these can be used in lots of ways for making "art figures" ( bakable if necessary?)
...any fabrics can be used but some may not accept the acrylic paints or dyes/inks used to color them?
....can also use embossing powders or use other metallic techniques (especially over acrylic paint)
....can sew or glue on any other items, or sew with decorative threads
...do coloring and embellishing first, or afterwards
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/createdolls.html
Maureen Carlson's small fabric doll forms with polymer faces
http://www.weefolk.com/mold_example.htm
--sewn on through holes in each side http://www.weefolk.com/ideas.htm (gone)
JJHandworks' polymer faces attached to simple small fabric bodies ...some have can slice? "masks" glued or sewn to head fronts ...
simple stuffed arms and legs --or no arms and legs ...bodies often pieced patterned fabrics with beads, etc., here and there ... some have elaborate mixed media hair or headgear
http://www.jjhandworks.com/patterns/crafts.htm
Debbie Jackson's faux ivory ethnic faces on fabric-body dolls
http://www.tinapple.com/oldsite/cynthia/dolls.html
Chris Sickels' various figures with clay faces and fabric and other materials bodies
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85664803@N00 ...http://www.art-bio.com/artists/sickels_chris/artwork.htm

...premade stuffed muslin doll "blanks" (human or animal) can often be purchased at craft stores (I've seen bunnies for Easter time)... these may have fairly long arms and legs, or may be small and stubby
......"Bendi Dolls" and Bitti Bendi Dolls" can be bought in two sizes (6" and 14") http://www.stampington.com/html/bendi_dolls.html
...many doll patterns for inspiration http://clothdollpatterns.com/patterns (see above for more)

fabric figure jointed by sewing small button, etc., through top of arm or leg fabric
http://www3.sympatico.ca/netchess/boudoir_betty.htm

Abstract figures

Non-realistic figures (usually without legs --sometimes arms, etc, or otherwise abstract, are fun to make ..and extremely varied.

...can be 3-D, or slightly dimensional, or flat
......if they're 3-D, can be used as dolls, or sculpts, or as embellishments
......if they're relatively flat, can be used in scrapbooking, altered books, cards, or anywhere
...can have fabric clothing, clay clothing, suggested clothing, or no clothing.
...often have lots of embellishment in the form of stamping, onlays, mixed media, antiquing, wrapping, etc, but these aren't necessary

amulets and fetishes (items with magical powers) ...and some art dolls, etc.

true amulets and fetishes
... are small human or spiritual figures (or they can be animals or items) usually worn on a person's body to "protect" or to help them in some way or confer special powers, or to repel something bad . ..or they can be placed next to the thing to be protected or helped
(......can sometimes be a specific god/dess who then protects the wearer, or an animal whose special quality is given to the wearer ... also crystals, certain gems, etc.)
..."but almost anything could serve as an amulet --a red string wound around the wrist, a stone carried in a small pouch around the neck," a horseshoe
...may also have or contain special words, symbols, incantations, etc.
...traditional ones are most often seen in older cultures or those which continue older rituals... some religions... but in subtler ways, amulets can be found everywhere
...can also be used to proclaim or encourage association with an idea, a value, a characteristic, etc.
info about real amulets http://me.essortment.com/whatisanamule_rldf.htm
lots of info about the broader topic of amulets and "protections," etc., and how widespread they are
...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amulets
meanings of certain amulets, fetishes http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/pontoon/2457/id58.htm
(other words and concepts for these: talisman, charm (lucky), totems, relic, runes, etc.)

amulets/fetishes/etc.are often used as stand-alone pendants or pins .....or can also be attached or connected to something else
...can also be used as vessels, pouches, containers which are worn (...some original amulets were for holding a medicine, or recipe for it)
.........(for rigid, hollow, or somewhat hollow, amulets which are formed over small rocks, see Vessels-Rock > Websites, mostly)
...but they can also be used as embellishment on items such as vessels, jewelry, covers and mini books/journals, covered gourds, etc.

attached to them can be things like:
......all kinds of embellishments.... (even hair, bone, a belonging, etc. of one of the parties --intertwined with, attached to, or enclosed within, some real amulets)
......dangles comprised of beads, shells, or anything which can be hung or strung
.....framing or background piece ... or something to interact with, or to be associated with

Since I'm somewhat sculpting challenged, I like the a-hem "primitive" shapes and details that amulets and fetishes usually have. Plus, there are just so many little things you can stick on them, in them, or wrap around them ... kind of like an adult version of paper dolls <g> Diane B.

Polyform's Art Doll Super Shapelets (stencils & templates for abstract body-and-head units) http://www.sculpey.com/Products/products_access_shapelets.htm
Polyform's Art Doll face molds (3?... in diff. sizes, eyes closed)
http://www.sculpey.com/Products/products_ezdoll.htm

SOME LESSONS:
Susan B's lesson on amulet-type figure ....with flat torso... molded head.. and simple coiled wire for arms
http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_InsetPeoplePins.htm
Roberta A's lesson on simple textured amulet figure
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_clay_jewelry/article/0,,HGTV_3238_1386894,00.html
Barbara McGuire's lesson on amulet pendant figure (flat, textured, cut out for torso and head, with molded face embedded into head area... antiqued)
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_clay_jewelry/article/0,1789,HGTV_3238_2216608,00.html
Susan B's lesson on amulet-type figure with flat body, molded head, and coiled wire for arms
http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_InsetPeoplePins.htm
Maureen Carlson's amulet-type figures, with molded faces on various bodies
http://www.weefolk.com/mold_example.htm
Dayle's various ethnic and other faces used alone with embellishments, or for amulets, art dolls, etc.
http://www.dollartists.ca/mediaconference/2004/workshops/ccharacters/characters.html
http://www.dollartists.ca/mediaconference/2004/workshops/Messengers/messengers.html
complete lesson for "stick doll" figure with polymer face ...flat, ethnic figures made with 2 upright twigs... body is attached between them mixed media-- could be all clay)
http://www.dotcalmvillage.net/nowwhatzine4jan03/starshaman1.html (keep clicking on Next Page) (Star Shaman Wishing Doll)
http://www.dotcalmvillage.net/cre8it/stickdollkits.html (more photos)

Roberta A & students' amulets, fetishes, abstract women figures, etc, with stamping and mixed media
http://www.eragraphics.com/classes/facepins1a.jpg and http://www.eragraphics.com/samples4.html
http://www.eragraphics.com/fetish.html and http://www.eragraphics.com/amulets.html
Crafty Michele's various spirit women and other figures for pins
http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/1644/cm-pcj-pins.htm
"spirit stone" figure... clay pattern torso, faux stone head... wire neck, arms (one wire hand)... one arm holding twig
http://expressionartmagazine.com/tocMA02.html
various amulet figures and other "dolls" from Arizona guild
http://www.azpcg.org/documents/DollSwap.htm

Rosemary's small figures ... almost all clay, little mixed media ("Little Babies")
http://www.mhpcg.org/clayDays/claydays00/oct2000/oct00.html
many more small all-clay figures from the Mile High Guild
http://www.mhpcg.org/clayDays/claydays01/jan2001/January2001/index.htm

many small mixed media amulet figures ...folk dolls (.."voodoo" amulets)
http://www.folkart.com/voodooshop/dolls.htm
*wild jointed figures with transfers for faces (not polymer), "Milagro dolls"
http://www.rdwarf.com/~mnoel/rice.html

....for more "art dolls" of all types, see Sculpting2 > Websites > Art Dolls

Arizona guild's "doll swap"... variety of figures & amulets, etc. ...(plus Donna H's " paperdoll " with polymer head)
http://home.att.net/~reserved/DollSwap.htm
Beckah's fetish doll head-torso, with bunches of dangling pebbles on sinew as skirt or legs
http://www.bearingbeads.com/Images/_ifetishdoll.jpg
Dayle D's various mystical figures (& shrines)
http://dayledoroshow.com/pics3.ht

Jean Comport's larger women & cat women... heavily embellished.... one woman with body of clay-covered cylidrical can?
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4153008&a=31266991&p=68340303&f=0

2001 Chicago Area Polymer Clay Guild goddess swap
http://members.aol.com/CAPCG1000/goddess.htm
goddess-figure swap (bas relief, other techniques) ...esp. Denise and Cindy P.... also stamped women (medallions)
http://sunnisan.com/crafts/goddess2.html
Google's "Image Search" feature..go to:
http://images.google.com/ then enter the words....goddess clay
Sid's 4 goddess shapes (non--pc)
http://goddessmandala.com/gallery/goddess.html
Jean Comport's Boob-a-la ( full-figured women with mixed media dangle arms, etc.)... over eggs?
http://www.nwpcg.org/ravensdale/rave/rave00/comport.shtml (gone)
Cindy's "goddess" (mixed media ...wild women) pendants (gone, find her new site)
"wild women" swap (many many styles and techniques) (website gone)
Dawn Sch's goddess figures http://members.aol.com/rhaiven/goddess.html (gone)
Jean Comport’s The Girls http://www.mdpag.org/gals.htm (gone)

Marie S's women pendants.... triangle body + small head (no features)...cane slice decorations on "bodice" & "hair cap"
http://www.clayfactory.net/marie/images/ms2003.jpg
Roberta A & others' wild women and various other fetishes... stamping & mixed media... hair is linen cord tied double in holes, then unraveled (lesson) http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_clay_jewelry/article/0,,HGTV_3238_1386894,00.html
http://www.eragraphics.com/samples4.html ... http://www.eragraphics.com/fetish.html ... http://www.eragraphics.com/amulets.htm

Jeanne R's "stiff-jointed" abstract figure.. head, torso and hips/legs units threaded onto a long stiff wire (somewhat nested but still separated)
http://www.heartofclay.com/eb/challenge15.jpg

Dave's various abstract "stone" figures and faces, runes, Celtic crosses. etc. (all faux rock... some polymer inclusions)
http://www.earthpottery.net

Dar's dried-bean-pod "body" (covered with clay) with face (mold) http://www.afamilyjournal.com/pcfunthings1.jpg

for more polymer faces which are added to other materials like wood/twigs/gourds or metal, etc.or items (especially those surrounded or embellished with hair, headwear, neckwear, etc., or with cane slices or other onlays --leaves, flowers, anything), beads, etc). ....see Heads > Faces Used Alone)
...there could be more inspiration in the Masks section of the Heads-Masks page as well)

tiny worry dolls ...(Guatemala..share a problem with a worry doll, then place it under one's pillow.. will take the worry away)
...very simple 1" tall figure traditionally made from splinter of wood wrapped with bright Guatemalan fabric and yarn/thread, plus painted dot-eyes, but could be done with more realistic head, or arms and legs., etc.
http://tinyurl.com/64zvz (many google images)

looking at all kinds of ethnic masks can be inspirational for doing these kinds of figures (see Heads-Masks > Masks)
...Jeanne R suggests using an ethnic, etc. mini-mask as the actual head for an art doll, or assemblage, etc.

for a totemic animal, you want to repeat what you see in symbology for that animal
...for example, geckos are almost always depicted with a curved body in symbology. Its head should be smaller, flatter, and more diamond shaped, its' toes more splayed out, possibly with balls on the ends. Maybe leave it eyeless, and only give a suggestion of spots if you want them, or stripes, and also totem symbols or fetishes would have the spots or stripes more in pattern than the random sprinkling you would see in nature. The whole body should be flatter and less rounded. author?
...fetish... an object (such as a small stone carving of an animal) believed to have magical power to protect or aid its owner. . . . "At the most fundamental level, a fetish is "an object, natural or manmade, in which a Spirit is thought to reside, and which can be used to affect either good or evil." All American Indian tribes of the Southwest make use of charms, talismans, and amulets, but the Zuni Indians of New Mexico are especially renowned for their animal carvings."
...Zuni fetishes http://www.nfobase.com/html/zuni_fetishes.htm
...symbolism for many animal totems ..., plus links to other animal symbol websites
http://www.writedesignonline.com/assignments/masks/animalsymbolism.htm and http://www.crystalinks.com/totemanimals.html

Karen C’s deer hide medicine pouches with fetishes on the front (could be polymer) http://www.fix.net/~kclanin/medicine.html (gone/)

MORE INSPIRATION
...larger high-art figures with twigs used as woven cages or in bundles for torsos, other wood/bark, and other mixed media (the rest isn't polymer, but it could be ...god for inspiration)
http://www.akirastudios.com (look all around)
.....Gabriel Colunga's various contemporary "figures" with mixed media and often multiple legs, heads, etc.(not polymer)
http://www.galleriadante.com/artists/gabriel.htm
ancient and ethnic objects and symbols (loads of Egyptian, Greek and other items)
http://www.egypt-greek-gifts.com/egst.html

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(all of the above applies as well to animal figures, monsters/ghosts, dolls, chess pieces, etc.)

.....for aluminum flashing figures (cutting, preparing and covering or painting) , see Covering > Metal

YouTube + Other Free Video-Sharing Sites

YouTube.... http://www.youtube.com .....and other free video sharing sites
...many clay demos of all types are being uploaded to these sites all the time.....yay!!
...to find the lessons at these sites, enter significant search terms into the search box there, such as these bolded ones (from YouTube):
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=clay+sculpture&search=Search
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=clay+sculpture+foot&search=Search
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=clay+sculpture+head&search=Search

Torsos

freestanding torsos (embellished, 3-D)... http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/contents.html

unusual items can also be used as torsos (to which limbs and head are added)
...they could be covered with clay, or not, and be any size that suits the figure...some examples might be:
... glass balls, wood balls, eggs, empty containers of any type (Bandaid box, film cannister, matchbox, wire "cages", etc.), gourds, nature items (pinecones, rocks or polished stones, sticks, bean pod), tubes, even clocks/watches, CD's, or just anything at all

Dotty McMillan's women with highly decorative tubes covered with clay (here used to make kaleidoscopes into "figures")
http://pcpolyzine.com/0301january/0301fantasyart3.html

woven wire "cage" used to make lower torso (skirt) for figures by Laura Balombini's ....patterned clay sheets over wire mesh, etc
...she also has upper bodies of amazing figures, birds, etc.
http://www.lbalombini.com/index.php (keep clicking on Next to see more)

(many examples of all kinds of torsos on all the sculpting-related pages)

Hands

Desiree's lesson on making a hand
http://www.desiredcreations.com/howTo_PJHands.htm
Loretta's lesson on making a realistic hand
http://www.fairysong.com/tutorials/Tutorial1.jpg
Christel's lesson on sculpting hands and feet (..& links to her head & body lessons)
http://www.pcpolyzine.com/june2001/troll.html
Marika's thorough lesson on realistic hand
http://members.home.nl/asrai/cursus-en.htm (click on Hands or Lessons)
Jenna's lesson on making a wispy hand (thin hand/fingers, fingers curvy)... thumb added to palm later
http://tutorials.theclaystore.com/dolls/hand-tutorial
Tony R's lesson on making a slender hand by making palm, index and little finger shape (middle &, ring fingers and thumb added later... fingernails drawn in)
http://www.cdhm.org/tutorials/learn-to-sculpt-doll-hands.html
Chrissie's lesson on making hands (and feet)... adding raw hands to baked arms
http://pageperso.aol.fr/Paithian1/Technique.htm
Angels Unawares’ lesson on sculpting hand and arm, using only toothpicks for finger armatures (from earth clay)
http://members.tripod.com/~AngelsUnawares/hands.html
Jack Johnston's lesson on making a hand and arm over five 16 (or 18 wrapped) & 24 gauge wire, plus brass tube and paper tape
http://www.artdolls.com/handsforchristmas.html
Mariel's lesson on making head, hands, feet, body armature
http://people.zeelandnet.nl/staamg/webdoc3e.htm
Monica's lesson on making simple head, hands, feet, body armature (cork)
http://guide.supereva.it/hobby_femminili/interventi/2001/11/76787.shtml
Maureen's online video lesson on using her one-sided hand mold to make a 3-D hand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXS-TQ_lUIk
Maureen's lesson on head, hand (using molds) and body (armature also), and pattern for robe
http://www.weefolk.com//santa.htm
http://www.weefolk.com//hands.jpg
see Karen P's lesson on how to use the hands, feet, and face molds to make a bas relief old word Santa on a plaque http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_HolidaySantaPlate.htm
Pennydolls' lesson(s?) on making small, simple hand, arms, etc.
http://www.pennydolls.com (click on English flag, then on Fimo Workshop, then on each photo for lessson)
Katherine Dewey's lesson on making paws, arms, tail of lifelike mouse
http://www.hgtv.com/HGTV/project/0,1158,CRHO_project_27285,00.html
Christel's lesson on making a rabbit hair holder, using elastic also for the dangly paws
http://www.pcpolyzine.com/0203march/rabbit.html (click on any photo to see enlargement)
(for more dangly legs/arms/hands, see Sculpting/Websites/Danglies)
For LOTS of descriptions of making hands, go to Polymer Clay Central’s message board at Delphi.com and search for message # 2935.1

hands & feet ...with forearms & calves (groove in top for attaching to fabric doll)
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/laurascrafts/piclink5.html#firstdoll

lots of good hands to study on the sculpts of Julianne ... and fingernails
http://www.mysticalis.com/gallery.htm (look all around site)
...and http://www.mysticalis.com/galleryall/woodspirits/index.html
real baby hands to study (also newborn), photos from Millie
http://www.onestoppolymershop.com/page/971075

Sarajane’s hands (with Victorian sleeves as well)
http://www.polyclay.com/beads.htm and http://www.polyclay.com/hands.htm
Celie's hand pendant (fingers pointing down) with "bracelets" of various kinds hanging down onto hand
http://www.celiefago.com/gallery_earlywork.htm#

the large-round tipped #13 tapestry needle forms a nice simple fingernail- simply roll the needle across the end of the finger. Kathndolls

Bunny's lesson on using a heat gun to help with making hands.... and giving hands different poses
http://www.thewildbunny.com/HeatGun.htm

Fingers can be very frustrating or they can be very easy! Here's what I do.
Mind Prep!: ...Study your own hand. You will notice as it moves it has certain design features. I like to break it down into two gesture areas. The palm and the fingers. Both should be considered as two slightly mobile solid blocks of clay. Forget about the divisions between the digits. As you move your own hand around, you'll notice that the palm and finger block areas behave in certain ways with the thumb as an independent but close nieghbor. The fingers and palm will do solid arcs of 3D curves. Imagine connecting all the finger tips and filling in all the gaps together between the digits. You'll see these two different waving arcs (fingers and palm). Now you can begin blocking in your sculpted hand imagining these arcs of movement. Any hand gesture can be symplfied into 2 two arcs (finger group & palm group). These quick gesture arcs are the KEY to a natural looking hand in clay (the natural pose). You have a LIVE model always with you! YOU! Take the pose you would to sculpt with your own hand!
Execution: ...Whether you have connecting finger wires to the wrist or not, it makes no diff.... visualize those finger group, palm group and thumb as arcs with a big nieghbor,Thumb.
Always start sculpting the fingers straight and splayed out to give yourself the maximum amount of manuvering room. Pose them afterwards.
Rough in the palm (it's a lens shape with a convex and concave side , unless you sretch it flat).
Now make coils of clay for the fingers off the sculpt before installing them.
Proportioning: ...Remember that each finger is devided into 3rds, each with 3 joints including the knuckles. The pinky ends at the the last joint of its nieghbor, the ring finger. The thumb ends at the ist joint past the knuckle on its nieghbor, the index finger. The middle finger is the longest with its nieghbors, ring and idex finger 2/3rds up from the middle finger's last knuckle. As a matter of fact the proportion of 3 to 2 RULES all the proportions of the hand!
I reccomend the book, An Atlas Of Human Anatomy by Stephen Rogers Peck, This book makes make drawing, but has wonderful tumbnail sketches and explainations about how the body is designed...
Slide those coils of clay onto your wires. Guide them so they stay "on center" keeping the wires and coils absolutely straight! Don't worry about the length of the wires or the coils at this point. One doggone thing at a time! This makes for more easily achieveable goals in everything! Once the coils are on the wires.....
Trade Secret for clay finger manipulation.
Using your index and thumb of your own hand roll the clay in the following ways to achieve desired results.:
1. To firmly attach finger coils to palm AND To thicken finger thickneses AND to add more clay to finger: use a gentle rolling motion pushing the coil towards the palm
2. To thin fingers: Do the reverse rolling motion gentley pulling the coil out away from the palm (always make sure the coil's bases have been attched to palm first!)
3. To create the hour glass thinness between each finger joint (in the top view of hands): Use the same gentle rolling motion pulling away from the palm. Do the rollling motion pushing toward the palms for thickening knuckles.
4. Masculine hands: keep the coils more iniformly thick along their length with the above rolling motion that pushes toward the palm.
5. Feminine hands: make sure to use the gentle rolling motion that pulls away from the palm.
Create a very gradual taper to the mass of the coil for each finger. NOW Cut fingers to length! make sure the wires are just short of the finger ends vusualizing the proportions given above.
(for babies' hands, see just above)
...Now pose your wires and fingers and thumb Use your own hand as a guide for the movement design based on those two solid arcs of movement with the loner thumb! Don't worry about mushing the clay doing the posing. You have the correct amount of clay on each digit from your layout sculpt above. Reshape the finger masses you have just mushed using that smae rolling motion with your own thumb and index finger if possible. If you can't get your real fingers to fit to do this, just make sure you take a tool and gentlely rewrap the clay around the wire from each side letting some clay go equally around the wire for good coverage. If at any time your clay gets separated from itself on a wire or from the palm, use your gentle rolling motion pushing the parts together or sliding the clay parts towards each other. Recreate those hour glass shapes to the finger lengths between each joint.
Make sure you have that convex curve to the upper palm, knuckle ridge line too. Note that the knuckle joints looked all in a row from above or below, have the same arc that the tips of the fingers have! *Use your own hand pose to refine your clay hands.*
...The secret to doing finish work in clay to to stop being as heavy handed (pun here!) with clay movement. Rocking motions and rolling motions with the tool instead of sliding motions to do what you need to get done.
I use a ball stylus tool for making veins. The tendons can be slightly in a stretched out pose in a younger hand before viening with a cylnder tool that has a bend curve in a it so it doesn't dig into the clay. The recesses on the joints undersides and skin folds on knuckles joints and palm skin folds, I use a rocking motion with the leading edge of a spoon tool that has a soft not sharp edge to to it.
Water is my savior for making softer looking sculpts and smoothing clay. I use it on my tools (predipping them). I use it on my finger tips always in an up & down finger motion, so the ridges of my finger prints don't transfer to the clay.
Plastic Wrap: can be used to create softer details first time in clay:
1. Soft clear plastic placed between the tool and the clay. 2. The tool only should move. Never the plastic against the clay. 3. Lift the plastic between each tool stoke for maximum detailing and minimum mushing. 4. the thinner the plastic the finer the details. The thicker the plastic EX: both layers of a common freezer bag. the larger or grosser the detail like boidy muscles general sculpted latout. Sandwich bags would be medium detailing plastic... Sincerely, Wayne THE DANE Hansen

Jodi & Richard Creager's video on making hands http://members.aol.com/creagers1/videos.html

simple hands can be made from ovals (with or without a narrowed area for wrist)
...if desired, simple fingers and toes can be indicated with indentions, or cut and separated without further manipulation

(The armatures in my figure are wire wrapped with fusible fleece). ...(after baking and before dessing) The head and hands were covered with Apoxie Sculpt air dry clay (before adding final polymer clay?) ...(while Apoxie isn't as light as foil, there's no chance of getting a trapped air bubble that will later crack clay, and Apoxie is ROCK HARD when it dries). DivaLea

gloves and boots are easier for beginners than making hands and feet

Arms, Legs, Feet & Tails, etc.

(see Sculpting-gen for ideas on joining them)
(see bottom of this page, and also Miniatures, for more polymer shoes)

Maureen Carlson's online video lesson on making a foot from her two-part mold,beginning with a log of clay
...she also shows how to make a knee & leg by using a longer log of clay (only foot part in mold)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6xuR55mJO8 (You Tube)

Nora Jean’s lesson on how to sculpt leg/foot and shoes (website gone)
catbyte's (Hazel) fat Maryjane-type shoes and socks on ladybug (website gone)
Christel's lesson on sculpting hands and feet (& links to her head & body lessons)
http://www.pcpolyzine.com/june2001/troll.html
Marika's thorough lesson on feet (realistic)
http://members.home.nl/asrai/cursus-en.htm (click on Feet or Lessons)
Mariel's lesson on making head, hands, feet, body armature
http://people.zeelandnet.nl/staamg/webdoc3e.htm
Patricia Rose's lessons on making feet ...also legs and various body parts
http://www.patriciarosestudio.com/html/tutorial.html
Millie's photos of feet of real babies
http://www.onestoppolymershop.com/page/971075
Katherine Dewey's lesson on making paws, arms, tail of lifelike mouse
http://www.hgtv.com/HGTV/project/0,1158,CRHO_project_27285,00.html
Melnik's various kinds of tails (some articulated) (lesson) (website gone)
Monica's lesson on making simple head, hands, feet, body armature (cork)
http://guide.supereva.it/hobby_femminili/interventi/2001/11/76787.shtml
Karen P's lesson on how to use the hands, feet, and face molds to make a bas relief old word Santa on a plaque http://www.sculpey.com/Projects/projects_HolidaySantaPlate.htm
Pennydolls' lessons on making somewhat simple arms,legs/body for babies in various positions
http://www.pennydolls.com (click on English flag, then on Fimo Workshop, then on each photo for lessons, esp. January)
fireEyes' lessons on dragon shapes (bodies, heads, eyes, feet&claws, Eastern/Western style); drawing, but applies to sculpting too
http://www.tailchaser-sushi.com/index2.html
(see also links of dragon photos in Sculpture)