Kitsch figure sculptures

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Think of these sculptures as the acceptable face of the garden gnome, kitsch to the point of good taste, we want them gaudy, creepy, tastelessly ostentatious and indoors.

They are three dimensional cartoons performing one-liner jokes. Basically it is art that is understandable and affordable to the person in the street. They are a backlash against the stuff that passes for art in fancy galleries and costs a fortune to buy.

I have made some of these sculptures life size but that starts to get a bit expensive and they can take over the house. These we are about to make are no more than 21cm in height and the materials are cheap and easily obtained. Also they are not delicate things, the main body is held together with coat hanger wire and cloth, so they will bounce!

If you can, think of an idea where the person in the sculpture is doing something unusual; remember we are not after Michelangelo type accuracy here, the more like a caricature the better.

The illustrations are in chronological order but some of the items are different unfinished pieces. Unfortunately I didn't not have the foresight to photograph the sculptures in progress, but I will for future projects!

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Step 1: Supplies and tools

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As you go along you will accrue and adapt tools but these are the basics.

Photographs and/or sketches of your subject
Wood for base, approx 14 cm square x 2 cm deep
Paints, acrylics, enamels or your decorating left-overs
Gloss varnish
Wire mesh: approx 5mm gauge
Gaffer or masking tape
PVA glue
2 cm panel pins
Scrap jewellery.
Bits of old toys (look in the bottom of a kids toy box!)
Various wire oddments, i.e. cables, fuse, picture hanging, clothes hangers etc
Strips of cloth (lots, cotton is best for soaking up the glue)
Good paintbrushes
Quick drying modelling clay

Tools
Pliers
Wood drill
Scissors
Utility knife
Wood chisel

And bags of creativity, not pictured (if I could instructable this I would be very rich)

porcupinemamma says: Mar 10, 2010. 4:42 AM

ok.... so it's me again-I just am blown over by your creations! Re-looking at your Instructable has brightened my day! Where are your pieces shown? are they for personal enjoyment, or are they for sale/

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to porcupinemammaDec 19, 2010. 10:14 AM

Thanks so much for you encouragement, they are all up in my attic at the moment, maybe I should start getting rid of them, I would give them all away to a good home.
Cheers, have a safe Christmas and an indestructible instructable new year my friend

porcupinemamma in reply to Chris BiltonDec 19, 2010. 12:58 PM

I would give them a safe and loving home! We could arrange a meeting with a social worker to see if she agreed. We live in a smoke- free pet -free house ;0( the dog went to doggie heaven)
I could pay for the postage too! They are too wonderful to live in an attic. All the best, Lyn

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to porcupinemammaMar 10, 2010. 8:25 AM

Thanks for your kind words, all the sculptures are made just for fun and are at my home on the shelves. If anyone was intersted I could be tempted to sell them.

made in canada says: Dec 19, 2010. 7:04 AM

Beautiful pieces, and wonderful instructable! Your sense of humour gives the little characters life. I'm quite smitten with Vincent!

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to made in canadaDec 19, 2010. 10:10 AM

Thank you, I try to give them character, who knows, maybe film animation next !

Chris Bilton (author) says: Jul 30, 2011. 9:04 PM

Come on folks, lets see those santas, made our special way!!! Happy Christmasto all fellow modellers!!!

porcupinemamma says: Aug 26, 2009. 9:12 PM

Add a Canadian fan to your fan club :0)

kolowinter says: Jan 31, 2009. 10:50 AM

It is obvious that you put an incredible amount of detail, humor, creativity, whimsy into your art. It was a pleasure viewing your contribution. Thank you for sharing your "secrets".

porcupinemamma in reply to kolowinterAug 26, 2009. 9:08 PM

Exactly as kolowinter said. Thank you for sharing!!!

Sunny124613 says: Sep 4, 2008. 1:14 PM

this is really cool!!! I wish that I had the supplies to do so:(

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to Sunny124613Sep 4, 2008. 11:06 PM

don't worry Sunny, you might one day, cheer up

Sunny124613 in reply to Chris BiltonSep 5, 2008. 12:39 PM

really?because I love art and have many ideas on a sculpture...

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to Sunny124613Sep 6, 2008. 10:06 AM

sounds like you're a true artist!

Sunny124613 in reply to Chris BiltonSep 6, 2008. 3:28 PM

thanks! I love sketching and making and creating sculptures,but I just need some clay(I do all of my work at school)

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to Sunny124613Sep 7, 2008. 2:15 AM

Schools the best place to learn, keep it up and as you progress your skills will automatically improve.

Sunny124613 in reply to Chris BiltonSep 7, 2008. 1:46 PM

thank you for the wise advice! (does a small bow)

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to Sunny124613Sep 7, 2008. 9:19 PM

No problem, pleased to be of help, take care out there and always listen to your mom. Good bye now, (gives a wave of the hand and walks into the sunset)

Sunny124613 in reply to Chris BiltonSep 8, 2008. 5:58 PM

goodbye friend! *wipes a tear*

esen says: Jun 21, 2008. 4:03 AM

they are amazing.Im trying tomake dolls them.How can you make their dolls? Have a good day

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to esenJun 21, 2008. 9:10 AM

Thanks Esen for the kind words, by dolls do you mean soft toys?

esen in reply to Chris BiltonJun 21, 2008. 11:35 AM

Nearly Ill put their picture .They are Anatolian Dolies.you can see them from www.womanspace.blogcu.com

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to esenJun 21, 2008. 10:08 PM

Hello Derya, I like you dolls, they are wonderful, looks like you could easily make some of these in cloth, have a go and see!

esen in reply to Chris BiltonJun 22, 2008. 2:55 AM

This is a big surprise.You found me at my space.I liked it.Im trying to make faces and hand from clay but I should learn alot of technic and I cant find pushmolds in Turkey.shortly thank you my friend

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to esenJun 22, 2008. 8:03 AM

It can also be difficult finding the right size push-moulds. Try practicing making hands/ fingers with any sort of quick drying clay. Make lots of them then just pick the ones you think are the best. Evening classes in pottery might be an idea; they may let you make them there, it might be worth asking. Good luck Derya 'my new friend', hopefully we can communicate on myspace!

Mr. Big says: Dec 1, 2007. 6:47 PM

Hey... Thank you very much for this Instructable!

I'm trying to make a figure! I'm now in the 3rd step. =D It will be a mime.

Tomorrow I'll buy the wire mess to continue to the 4th step.

Now you know you have a fan here in Venezuela. =D

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to Mr. BigDec 2, 2007. 5:17 AM

Oh wow! this is so cool, please let me know how you get on, I really wish I could be there to help, good luck Mr Big and keep in touch.

Mr. Big in reply to Chris BiltonDec 3, 2007. 1:38 PM

I have a question. =) How did you hold the wire mess?

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to Mr. BigDec 3, 2007. 9:21 PM

I use thin wire (the type florists use) to bind it all together. Or forget the wire and use lots of glue soaked cloth, PVA adhesive dries rock hard so in a sense the wire is made redundant. In the past I've used any old bits of string or Knitting wool (I raided my mother's supply, its a better use than making her wooly cardigans!) In the end use what you can get your hands on, its only the top layer that has to look neat, what goes off inside doesn't really matter (hey that sounds a bit like me!!) I hope thats helped, if not comment me back and I'll have another go, all the very best man and keep in touch.

Mr. Big in reply to Chris BiltonDec 4, 2007. 10:42 AM

Oh, yes... I used Knitting wool to hold the wire mess, and it's perfect. Now, I'm waiting the fabric that my grandmother told me she will give me, to cover the skeleton of the figure. My mother brought me elastic bandages, but I don't know if it is going to work. I have some photos of my figure. Tell me if you want to see them. ;)

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to Mr. BigDec 4, 2007. 11:13 AM

Elastic bandages are good, as long as you don't stretch them too much. Just put plenty of glue on and it will be fine. Sounds like all your family are helping out Mr Big. That always helps when gathering material, well done. Yea! I would love to see some photos of your figure, that would be great, thanks for keeping me up dated. Good luck mate.

Mr. Big in reply to Chris BiltonDec 4, 2007. 1:22 PM

Hahahaha... I just stay at home (6 days of "vacations" because of the referendum) and my mum bring me all I need. Hehehehe...

I bouth cold porcelain to make the face and some parts of the clothing.

These are the links of the photos: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/jmgrandeboggio/1.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/jmgrandeboggio/2.jpg

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to Mr. BigDec 4, 2007. 9:45 PM

Excellent Mr Big,the armature is looking better than the one I did at that stage! Can't wait to see the finished piece. "Cold Porcelain" sounds very professional, your mums doing a fine job with those supplies! You say you're making a "mime" artist, what a brilliant idea, no doubt it will speak volumes on your artistic skills. Six days vacation sounds just the right amount of time for making this, good luck mate.

cowscankill says: Nov 16, 2007. 3:46 PM

wow

Chris Bilton (author) in reply to cowscankillNov 16, 2007. 10:44 PM

Thanks cows, to me 'wows' are worth a thousand 'awesomes'. Really it true, getting feedback is like you getting your cud to chew back on, we all need it man ... er I mean cow

cowscankill in reply to Chris BiltonNov 17, 2007. 6:36 AM

lol thanks