Make An Artie Bean
Make a complete character beginning with Building the Armature - Sculpting in Paperclay - Sewing the Costume - Painting & Applying the Hair - Assembling the Bean.
Description: We will show you how to make an "Artie Bean" starting with constructing the armature using wood dowels and twisted wire; sculpting his head, hands and feet in Paperclay using paint brushes and the supplied sculpting templates; then sewing his costume with the included patterns; followed by priming, painting and varnishing the body parts; applying and styling his hair; and finally assembling and filling the Bean.
Media Category: Air Dry Clay
Course Type: Interactive - with detailed step-by-step written descriptions and photos for each Lesson (refer to the FAQ page for full descriptions of each course type)
Course Format: Full project
Course Begins: Ongoing, open to Everyone
Course Duration: No time limit, at Student pace
What will Students learn? We will share our techniques in working with Paperclay using sculpting templates. Introduction to Gimlets, which are small tools used for hand drilling holes in wood. The gimlets are not required, but it is a very useful and easy to use tool for drilling holes if you don't have access to a Dremel tool or drill press. (see Tool note below)
Instructor/Students interaction: Answer questions via emails
Skill Level: All levels welcome
Required skill(s): Basic sculpting and sewing skills; working knowledge of air-dry clay. Comfortable using a band or hand saw to cut wood dowels and learning about new tools.
Supplies and tools: Wood dowels, armature wire, Fishing barrel swivels, Paperclay, Gimlet tools (optional). Brushes, acrylic paint, wool crêpe or mohair. Weldbond glue, small glue brushes. Cotton fabrics, ribbon.
Full supply list: ChoMeder-Artie Bean-CourseSupplyList.pdf
Downloads: Sewing patterns and sculpting guides, Chapter PDFs, How to Use Gimlets Demo video
Tool Note: This project includes instruction on working with Gimlets, which are small tools used for hand drilling holes in wood. The gimlets are not required, but it is a very useful and easy to use tool for drilling holes if you don't have access to a Dremel or drill press.
The highest quality Gimlet is made in France from blackened, tempered steel wire and comes in a set of 7 gimlets 2.0mm - 5.0mm. There are smaller 4 piece sets available online but the additional sizes are needed to incrementally drill larger holes to avoid splitting the wood. The set we highly recommend is available from Garrett Wade (Supply list has source link).
Welcome to "Make An Artie Bean"
Make An Artie Bean - Course Description
ARTIE BEAN: Course Lesson Plan
CHAPTER 1: Materials & Tools List
CHAPTER 1: LESSON 1 – How to Use Gimlet Tools
DEMO-VID-How to use Gimlet Tools
CHAPTER 1: LESSON 2 – Preparing the Wood Dowels
CHAPTER 1: LESSON 3 – Assembling the Armature
CHAPTER 2: Materials List
CHAPTER 2: LESSON 1 – Making the Sculpting Armatures
CHAPTER 2: LESSON 2 - Sculpting the Hands
CHAPTER 2: LESSON 3 - Sculpting the Feet
CHAPTER 2: LESSON 4 - Sculpting the Head
CHAPTER 3: - Materials List
CHAPTER 3: LESSON 1 – The Muslin Body
CHAPTER 3: LESSON 2 – Sewing the Body Jumpsuit
CHAPTER 3: LESSON 3 – The Vest + Trim + Collar
CHAPTER 4: Materials List
CHAPTER 4: LESSON 1 - Painting the Parts
CHAPTER 4: LESSON 2 - Applying + Styling the Hair
CHAPTER 5: Materials List
CHAPTER 5: LESSON 1 - Make the Bean Body
CHAPTER 5: LESSON 2 - Filling + Finishing the Bean
I love my completed Artie. I was anxious to start him, as I hated not getting the NIADA collectors version many years ago. This was more challenging than I expected, but I stayed with it. Cutting and drilling of the wood pieces was not as "simple...
Read MoreI love my completed Artie. I was anxious to start him, as I hated not getting the NIADA collectors version many years ago. This was more challenging than I expected, but I stayed with it. Cutting and drilling of the wood pieces was not as "simple" as the directions made it seem. Invest in tools or find someone you know you can borrow from - or will help you. The hair is a significant part of Artie's personality, but glueing hair directly to Artie's head was a bit of a fiasco for me. I usually make wigs and I should have stuck with a wig or practiced on another head before I gave Artie hair. My Artie wears a hat - but now I'm trying to figure out how to remove the hair that he has - and give him a fresh do! The directions were thorough and easy to follow. This 70 year old woman needs stronger hands and better wood tools!
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