How to Sculpt a Face

The Female Face Tutorial - Page Ten

The tenth part to "How to Sculpt a Face" deals with the ears.

STEP 37: Double check your dolls head from every angle to ensure she looks right. Too often people get their dolls to look perfect from one angle, just to find another angle looks completely wrong. Check the jawline placement, as now we'll be sculpting the ears.

STEP 38: Roll out a small pancake of clay, making sure it's nice and soft so it's easier to blend in the next step. Note that the 'panacke' is slightly tear-drop in shape. The larger side will be the top of the ear, whilst the smaller side will form the earlobe.

STEP 39: Carefully blend the ear into the side of the face. When trying to place the ears, think of these basic rules:

1. The part where the top of the ear connects to the head should be at the same level as the eyes.

2. The earlobe should finish just above the jawline.

3. The ear is placed halfway back on the head, at the same distance as the jawline.

STEP 40: When you feel that you have the ear placement correct, blend the back of the ear into the head. Make sure the ears don't stick straight out of the head, nor should they be flat to the head. There should be a subtle angle outwards from the head.

Make sure you leave a fair amount of bulk behind the ear. This will help strengthen the ear against snapping off after baking, and will allow room to sculpt the inner ear of the doll.

Continue on:
How to Sculpt a Face: Steps 41-45

Go back to:
How to Sculpt a Face: Steps 33-36

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