Supplies: * 18 gauge wire * 28 gauge wire * Needle nose wire cutters * Sherry s pattern * Embellishments

Transcription

1 Retreat 2010 Wire Form Arm~Hands The supplies and techniques listed below are only suggestions. Read through the entire lesson before you proceed. I guarantee you will add or delete items from my outline. The building of the armature is one used by most clay users. Some of the techniques can be sued by cloth artists as well. Supplies: * 18 gauge wire * 28 gauge wire * Needle nose wire cutters * Sherry s pattern * Embellishments Sherry taught me a long time ago to use more pictures than words. Works for me If I can clarify a particular step or share larger pictures please ask me. Print Sherry s patter. Gather 5 wires. Place wires over the middle finger. Page 1

2 Mark just below the wrist. Gather the five 18 gauge wires tightly in your hand. Wrap 28 gauge wire as tight as you can around all the wires up to the wrist. Approximately ¼ of wire will be in place. Use the needle nose pliers and gently crimp the wires on all sides. This will help tighten the wire. Repeat on remaining 5 wires. Now you have the armature for two hands/arms. Page 2

3 Lay one armature over the pattern. Gently spread the wires following the pattern of the fingers. The fingers are taking shape. Lay the second armature of gather wires over the wires resembling fingers. Follow the pattern and spread the wires for the second hand. If this is too clumsy for you lay the wires on the pattern and proceed. You now have two hand armatures developing. Page 3

4 Lets create the thumb. Slightly bend the wire at the base of the thumb. (See point of black marker.) Using the tip of the needle nose pliers gently bend the tip of the thumb following the pattern. Repeat on second armature. Place armature on pattern. Note the fingers are different in length. Look at your own hand for reference. The longest finger is the middle finger. If you relax your own hand you will note your hand creates a semi circle. Mark the wires and cut off excess wire. Repeat on second armature. To create the palm/top of the hand lay hand on pattern and mark wires with marker. Page 4

5 Secure 28 gauge wire to base of hand. TIGHTLY weave the wire over and under the 5 wires. When you get to the end wire loop over, press it into place and go back in the other direction. Think of it as basket weaving Stay within the marked area of palm/top of the hand. NOTE: the three wires in the middle require more wire than the thumb and little finger. Simply omit the outer wires and continue to wrap the 3 in between ending at the middle finger. The weaving is complete. Take the wire and loop between each finger for added strength. Wrap wire around the wrist a few times and trim. Page 5

6 Gently press wires together with pliers. Repeat process on second armature. Lets give the hand some personality. Bend the hand at the wrist. Note the hand is flat. Look at your own hand in a relaxed pose. The hand is arched. Many times I see gorgeous figures with flat hands. Apply this to your own artwork if you have not already done so and watch the hands come alive. Forgive me this technique requires 2 hands. Unfortunately I need one hand to take the photograph so I will be a bit chatty for a few seconds place your thumbs next to the middle wire and your index finger under the wires meeting the thumb. With one motion, slowly turn YOUR wrist bending the armature creating an arch. Pretty simple eh? Page 6

7 Your hand will look like the armature on the right. Look at your own relaxed hand. Notice the three fingers are parallel to each other. The thumb and little finger are at a slight angle. (this rule does not apply to figures that are perhaps doing a push up, scared, imitating a frog lolol.you get my point) Using the needle nose pliers straighten the 3 fingers shown in the photo on the left. The following steps are simple. Breathe. I will pose my own hand and look at the finger placement. Follow my lead or create your own positioning at this point. Not to worry, you can always change the position when the hand is complete. Photo on the left shows the arch we created. Photo on the right I bent the thumb slightly inwards. Page 7

8 Bend the index finger at the knuckle. I like to add a slight curve to the ends of my fingers. I feel it adds elegance. Do not add that feature if you do not like it. Moving on to the ring finger. I wanted a drastic bend of the finger so I bent the wire at the base of the finger where it meets the palm/top of the hand. Add the slight curve to the tips of the finger. The little finger I left in the original position but curved the tip. Looks elegant don t you think? Repeat on second armature. You can leave hand/arm as is and bring to class or continue. I have added a few ideas below you may or may not like. Rosie my helper says take a break Page 8

9 The photos below are some ideas to help your brain spin a bit. I think they are easy to follow. I will interject some tidbits when needed. Enjoy! Designate one lead wire. Note the wire bending slightly on the pattern in red. All others follow. Cut the lead wire and create a loop. This loop will attach to the wire protruding from the upper fabric torso. Dig up your stash of embellishments. Anything is possible. Fibers, fabric, gems anything! Page 9

10 Don t want to add embellishments? Want to twist some wire instead? Perhaps a combination of wire and embellishments? Page 10

11 A little sprits of metallic bronze spray paint brings it to life. Imagine it with fabric and ribbons. YUM! Here s another thought. I found a spring lying on my desk and added it to my metal theme. Love how it looks! Bend at the elbow. There s that lead wire again Page 11

12 Grip the 5 wires tightly with the pliers. This will cause the wires to lay side by side. Gently fan them out. Leave the lead wire straight and shape the remaining wires. I will slide my thumb along the wire creating the slight arch. Cut just above the bend we created for the elbow. Loop each wire. Note the lead wire is a bit longer in length. Secure the 28 gauge wire to the outside loop. Wrap the wire around the lead wire a few times to secure. Continue to stitch thru each loop drawing the looped wire closer to the lead wire. Page 12

13 Gently position the wires into a cylinder shape. This is the upper arm. Perhaps add some wire to the upper arm? Spray paint with Metallic Bronze? Page 13

14 Maybe add a bit of tissue and some embellishments? Maybe some more tissue, paper or fabric? Page 14

15 There are so many ways to create unusual shapes using simple wire. Play! Have fun! Thank you for allowing me to share some of the ideas I have been playing with. Have a glorious day Love, Jean Jean@JeanBernardArt.com Page 15