Anthropomorphile? Yes, please! This Bird Doll Course is truly off-the-beaten-path, offering 18+ hours of comprehensive video instruction, presented in 36+ Lessons with corresponding PDFs so that you can print them as you need them! Course enrollment includes access to a Private Facebook Group where we can virtually gather to brainstorm ideas, view watch parties, participate in Live Q&A sessions, and share images of our progress!
Media Category: Air Dry Clay, Mixed Media
Course Type: Interactive (multi-media) (refer to the FAQ page for full descriptions of each course type)
Course Format: Full project
Course Begins: Ongoing, open to Everyone
Course Duration: 18+ hours of video in 36+ lessons; students working concurrent with Private Group Course coverage will finish in 6 to 8 weeks, @ 3 hrs/week.
What will Students learn?
How to build a hollow PaperClay Bird Bust, Wing clusters, wire legs and then paint/finish all these; plus: jointed cloth Body Parts, integrated Costume Parts and final Assembly of the Doll.
(See SYLLABUS link for a detailed outline of Course Content and its schedule).
Instructor/Students interaction: Answer questions via emails, Private Facebook Group.
Skill Level: All levels welcome
Required skill(s): Some basic sculpting & sewing skills will be helpful, but I’m happy to help beginners get started.
Supplies and tools: Full supply list: MasterSupplyList_Bird_ConnieSmith.pdf
Downloads: Time-stamped PDFs that correspond to videos, patterns, templates (videos will remain up and available on Thinkific platform for at least 6 months)
Introductory Video & Welcome!
FREE PREVIEWSyllabus Schedule & Web Link to Private FB Group
Supply List: PAPERCLAY BUST, WINGS & TAIL; WIRE LEGS
FREE PREVIEWSupply List: Beeswax & Related Tools
FREE PREVIEWSupply List: JOINTED CLOTH BODY & INTEGRATED COSTUME PARTS
FREE PREVIEWDownloadable PDF of All Supply Lists, Grouped by Medium
Downloadable BirdTorsoPattern
A Quick Note on Pre-Sewing the Torso for your Bust Armature
Lesson 1: Introduction & Bust Armature
Lessons 2.1 & 2.2: Slab-to-Cone, Adding a Beak
Lesson 2.3 to 2.6: Eyes, Textures, Bustplate Markings (w/corrected audio)
Lessons 3.1 to 3.3: Feathery Forms for Wings (w/corrected audio)
Lessons 3.4 & 3.5: Wing & Tail Clusters
Lessons 3.6 to 3.9: Dry Refinements & Loose Ends
Lessons 4.1 to 4.4: Painting the PaperClay Bust and Wings with Watercolors
Lessons 4.4 to 4.8: Sealing Finished Parts in Beeswax
Lesson 4.9: Color Correction with Oil Pastels
Lesson 5.1: Wire Bird Legs; Structure
Lesson 5.2: Bird Legs; Wire Wrapped Toes
Lesson 5.3: Bird Legs; Thread Wrap
Lesson 5.8: Final Colorways for Bird Legs
BONUS: Zoom Q&A #1, February 2, 2021: Introduction, Private FB Group Page Tour
BONUS: Zoom Q&A #2: February 3, 2021: Feather Forms, Wing Clusters, etc.
BONUS: Zoom Q&A #3: February 10, 2021: Wing Sections, Symmetry, Watercolor on PaperClay
BONUS: Zoom Q&A #4: February 19, 2021: More Watercolor on PaperClay & Pre-Wax Prep
BONUS: Zoom Q&A #5: February 24, 2021: Wax and Wire Legs Review
BONUS: Zoom Q&A #6: March 3, 2021: Waxing Demo (Kingfisher), Oil Pastels, Preview of Cloth Body Part Patterns
Lessons 1 & 2: Attaching a Pate (optional) & Notes on Body Patterns
Lesson 3: Stitch, Turn & Stuff Torso
Lesson 4: Thighs and Torso Seams
Lessons 5 & 6: Attaching Bust & Constructing Wings
BONUS: Zoom Q&A #7: March 10, 2021: Mica Powders + Free-Wheeling Browse Thru My Body/Costume Photo Files!
Lesson 1.1: Coat, Collar, Pants
Lesson 1.2: PantLegs, Cuffs
Lesson 1.3 - 1.4: Counterweighted Tail and Prepping Legs for Jointing
Lesson 1.5: Jointed Legs and Covered Buttons
Lesson 2: Hat Parts
Lesson 3.1: Vestfront & Necktie
Lesson 3.2: Shirt Front
Lesson 3.3: Vest Trim and ShirtFront Fix
Lesson 4.1: Paper Feather Extensions
Lesson 4.2 -- 4.4: Fan-Fold & Wax Feather Extensions; Color-Adjust with Oil Pastels
BONUS: Zoom Q&A #8: March 17, 2021: Costume & Related Elements
Lessons 1 & 2: Coat Buttons and TailFeathers
Lesson 3: Wing Assembly
Lesson 4: Button-Jointing the Wings onto the Torso
Lesson 5: Final Embellishments
BONUS: Zoom Q&A #9: March 24, 2021: Final Assembly
BONUS: Zoom Q&A #10: March 31, 2021: Show & Tell #1
Learned a lot . Really enjoyed the class. Will purchase more from this artist.
Learned a lot . Really enjoyed the class. Will purchase more from this artist.
Read LessConnie Smith, instructor, gave 110% to teaching this course and shared freely with the participants all of her knowledge about the subject matter, in addition to answering everyone's questions about different aspects of the course. I learned many ...
Read MoreConnie Smith, instructor, gave 110% to teaching this course and shared freely with the participants all of her knowledge about the subject matter, in addition to answering everyone's questions about different aspects of the course. I learned many new techniques about working with paperclay and would highly recommend the class to anyone wanting to learn more about paperclay and applying their newfound skills to dollmaking...or anything else, for that matter.
Read LessI liked how she showed what happens when cut on the bias and how you can achieve different tail positions.
I liked how she showed what happens when cut on the bias and how you can achieve different tail positions.
Read LessConnie did a magnificent job setting up and presenting her class. I liked the fact that, as she was demonstrating each step, she still needed to work out some of the decisions and trouble spots allowing us students to follow along with the "think...
Read MoreConnie did a magnificent job setting up and presenting her class. I liked the fact that, as she was demonstrating each step, she still needed to work out some of the decisions and trouble spots allowing us students to follow along with the "thinking process". I love her work and am so glad to have had the opportunity to take this class. Even though I enjoy going to the live NIADA classes, I would not have been able to absorb all of the instructions of this class in 3 days. Thank you to Connie for the multitude of hours spent on developing this class and I hope you enjoyed it as well.
Read LessVery insightful! I have a deep understanding of warp, weft and bias and the impact on the bird silhouette and basic structure of the bird itself. There is a lot to consider. I will watch this a few times. to answer questions and note specific deta...
Read MoreVery insightful! I have a deep understanding of warp, weft and bias and the impact on the bird silhouette and basic structure of the bird itself. There is a lot to consider. I will watch this a few times. to answer questions and note specific details in the crafting of the bird silhouette.I have taken a grad class in Ornithology for educators at the MSU BioStation. The silhouette is one of the major components for identification of all birds.. Well done...
Read Less
with Connie Smith In this 1st of 2 courses, create a Raven or Crow figure from Stoneware OR Air-Dry Clay, and an articulated cloth + wire body as Bird or Anthro Hybrid! Clay/Cloth Body Course resumes March 2023. Costuming Course, debuts Sept 2023.
$99
This FREE TUTORIAL is an ongoing, cumulative collection of DIY toolmaking projects. Because sometimes the BEST TOOLS are HANDMADE. New content coming during V-CON 2024,August 23-25.
Free
with Connie Smith, ongoing, with a NEW ZOOM ITINERARY BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 2024! Make your own jointed Bird Doll updated Painting demos! Full access to Private Facebook Group; participants from original Zoom sessions welcome to join new Zooms!
$150
