Simply superb
By Theoni Lussos
Heidi is a full time software technical writer and that comes in handy with this easy to read book on portrait sculpture. She really delivers the goods when she says it is "simplified" but not stupefied...she starts literally at the beginning and goes through the tools of the trade...do you need a kiln? No. Do you need a modeling stand? Yes. Carving tools and calipers? At least some to start. She discusses the various Types of clay and their uses including Sculpey III -- which is what brought me to this lovely book and their conditioning; needs for armature for support of the sculpture necessary so you get that 3D look without tons of unmanageable clay. Finally as we get to the "meat of the book" she discusses the various dimensions, how to ensure accuracy and the various tricks for photographing the subject. It's a great book for sculpture but I must admit a portrait painter could learn a trick or two from her as well. Heartily recommended.
8/09
WOW Heidi
! I
received your CD the other day and have spent every spare
minute reading and learning.It
is just WONDERFUL! There
is so much information, and detail, and great tips and
techniques – you’re amazing!! I
loved every single page and I know it will become indispensible. I
can’t wait to put it all into practice – next
project I intend
to make a mould (using your demo) and take several castings
to try out different ways of patining (?) again using your
instructions. You
deserve immense success and I’m sure you will get
it.
Thank
you once again - Tricia, United Kingdom
8/09
I am an avid fan of yours. I found you on the net years ago, bought your book and it has been my bible ever since.
I have been very successful in reproducing my work to family and friends. I am ready to move up to the next step. I did a sculpture of my father using your 2 piece mold instructions.
Have you written a book yet on multiple molds to cast a sculpture? -
Chris, TN
8/09
"
I ordered this for doing a new head during winter from WED clay.
First impression is that I got a very helpfull book from Heidi Maiers.
Heidi is of proffesion a technical writer (software documentation).
So she knows how to write a book, and that shows up.
She did document her proces and the tools she uses very accurate and clear, in such a way that other people can reproduce the proces (though IMO for sculpt you need a gift to realize a good sculpt) .
Any way I think it will be very helpfull, and due to her alternative process without the need to cut the portrait in 2 halves to hollow it, it will reduce the risk on breakage during firing in the kiln a lot ".
Frederick H., Netherlands
3/09
Six
months have passed
and I'm still loving the book. I've made two small portraits
out of super sculpey and premo which came out great as per
your instructions and I'm now making moulds for both for cold
cast bronzes which I'm quite excited about.
The
book has definitely spurred me on to try things out. Without
it, everything would seem a bit daunting. I'm eventually
looking to go onto some half size figures and I know I'll still
be using techniques from your book for many years to come -
money extremely well spent!
Kent,
United Kingdom
3/09
"The most helpful charts I've found are in an E-book titled Portrait Sculpture Simplified by Heidi Maiers. Chapter Three in that book has some of the best information I've found on portrait sculptures."
Alan J.
1/09
Just
a word to thank you and express my appreciation for your excellent
book, Portrait Sculpture Simplified. This is my first attempt
at sculpture and probably the last. You folks are a different
breed.
There
was some satisfaction blended with joy, frustration and flaws.
Without the help of your book, the sculpture would not have
been completed. Indeed, so much information - sculpey clay,
light magnifier, dental tools and materials, illustrations
and all. So, it's only fair for you to see how you have helped
people. The attached photographs are for that purpose. By the
way, I now have a new appreciation for the word "oops".
Many
thanks, press on - Sincerely
J.
Tardy, West Virginia
1/09
I'm
an old retired Brazilian engineer who spends the most
part of the
time in sculpturing and woodworking. I'm
now writing you because I'd like to tell that I spent the
last two days
integrally in reading your marvelous book PORTRAITS
SCULPTURE SIMPLIFIED.
I'm
so astonished at the content of your book that I couldn't
wait to write
you, even before reaching the end of the work.
Since
I'm not an artist, but only a self-taught person who loves
arts in a
general way- and sculpture in a particular form-
and likes to study this
subject- I've been reading a lot
of literature of all kinds, but sincerely
I've never found
a so didactic, simple and clear book like yours.
I congratulate
you for the quality of so many important and instructional
knowledge
on the sculpting area and the invaluable tips, certainly
fruit of
the so many years of hard work, and maybe a few trials
and errors.
The whole content come, in good time, in benefit
of the happy sculptors who
may have the luck of reading
the excellent book.
Congratulations for your brilliant skill
and talent and my respect for not
keeping for yourself the
so much knowledge you've transmitted to so many
people that
can improve and preserve, this fabulous thing that is
sculpting.
Marco
Guimaraez, Brazil
10/20/08
I
received the book and CD yesterday and I'm very pleased with
them. I've got many other books on sculpture but they lack
the detailed step by step practical guides like the ones you
and your husband provide. If you haven't already done so I'm
sure it'd be taken on by a mainstream publisher/distributor
as there's just nothing out there like it and I would never
have found it if someone hadn't pointed out your website to
me. This book should definately be readily available in every
library and bookstore.
Robert
Storey - Kent, United Kingdom
11/08
I
must tell you that of all the books I have collected on sculpture,
yours is the one I find myself referring to most often.
Mary
Shortridge
8/20/08
I
became interested in sculpting about a year ago, and was very
lucky to come
across your site. I just wanted to thank you for the great
information on your
site and on your CD wich I bought a couple months ago. I had
zero experience
with sculpture, and the way you laid out the entire sculpting/casting
process
was a great inspiration for me to give it a try myself. You
have been of great help to me.
I'm
a chemistry grad student, so having sculpture now is just a
great diversion
for me when I should be in lab! We seem to have a dearth of art professors here
interested in realism, so it's a great help to connect with people like you on
the web. Thanks for the inspiration!
Dan,
Student at Yale University
7/28/08
I've
been amazed by your work for years. I purchased the CD from
you site some time ago and find that it has been the biggest
help to me so far in my attempts at sculpting. Thank you for
offering such an indepth study.
I would love to take a workshop with you. Actually watching
you as you work and be able to the get your direction on
my work would be invaluable. Please keep my address should
you decide to do a weekend workshop.
Peggy, Oklahoma
7/28/08
I have
to give you a huge thank you as without your how-to pages
I wouldn't have known where to start at all as the basic
technical skills are not being taught in the universities
at all in the UK (that is a bit of a generalisation I think
but quite close to the mark). I have just finished a fine
art degree where I basically had to stumble my way through,
and I am now hoping I am getting somewhere.
Kelly,
United Kingdom
3/29/08
This
is among the very best instructional texts I've read, in ANY
medium. Heidi's writing is articulate, easily understood, and
is lushly illustrated in every detail. It is truly a landmark
reference book.
I have a background in portait painting, and I am enthused and encouraged to
work in 3D by Heidi's patient and enthusiastic teaching style. Buy this book.
Christine
Saper - Heirloom Portraiture
3/7/08
I just
received your CD, which is hands down one of the best instructional
books I've ever read, and I've read a LOT of
them. Having finished most of the first read-through,
I plan to go to MarJon Monday, get some stuff, and follow
all your instructions every step (up to the firing part:,
which I have no interest in trying to do at any foreseeable
time) )
I cannot express how very excited I
am about working in 3D. I've also enrolled in your beautifully
executed Forum, and will read everything that has been posted.
I'd
like to see about whether arranging an apprenticeship/ instruction/coconsultation
with you would be possible. Also, I think you should
teach at the Scottddale Artist's School and I told them so.
Chris,
Phoenix Arizona
2/11/08
Hello
Heidi, Received your book
and CD today ( Monday ) and have already read the
book and viewed the cd...absolutely wonderful,
everything explained in perfect detail.All of the
questions I had regarding the earthenware clays
were answered. I would heartily recommend this
book to anyone, beginner to advanced just for the
volume of information contained from your experience.
You have covered it all here. I just now need to
get the clay and get to work..:-)..Many thanks,
your work will be an inspiration for me.
Alan
Davis, Toledo Ohio
2/10/08
Hi
Heidi, just for you to know that I bought your Ebook
and I just receibed it, I started to
read it. You did a very good job.
Carlos Rodriguez, Mexico
5/29/07
Thanks
again for all the good work you do for people
like me with your website, and thanks for all the incredibly
useful information in the E-book. It encouraged
me to attempt a second portrait. I was happy with my
first attempt that I did from information I found
on your site…this second one, with the advantage
of your book, is ten times better.
I
did a test as you suggested and I’m really glad I did
it your way as the seams came out almost perfect…no
trouble cleaning them up. And, of course, there was no clean-up
needed on the clay and it was so much easier to attach the
shim. I’m
very encouraged by this second project even though I can
see lots that I could have done better. I honestly couldn’t
have achieved the improvement if I hadn’t taken advantage
of all the tips in your e-book. I found so much useful and
practicable information at every stage of the process.
John
Williams, United Kingdom.
2/14/07
Thank
you for producing your wonderful book on CD- It has been
an invaluable resource to me as I begin sculpting again after
several years away. My inlaws gave it to me for christmas
and it has been a great resource. Do you happen to
have any tips on sculpting children- especially very young
children? Any tips you have would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again for your book- It has really "held
my hand" as I begin working in sculpture again.
J.
G. , Gainsville, FL
2/4/07
Just
received the CD, its great!
Can't wait to go look at it for the 10th time.
learning things on there i never would've found out just online.
Daniel
Choe, Colorado
1/12/07
Received
the disk and had enough time to scan thru it, looks
like a wealth of info that I'll be using for a long time. I
appreciate your work as a sculptor which is why I bought
the disk.
Frank Moran, Oaklahoma
12/10/06
Thanks
for sending the book and CD so quickly. I am pleased with
the quality of your product, and have already found the
information helpful, even though I haven't had the time
yet to read the entire book.
Bari
Read, Arizona
I
have just purchased your really wonderful book, Portrait
Sculpture Simplified, I feel like I have you looking over
my shoulder. The confidence I now have to form clay has
all
come from
the pictures and explantions in this book.
Have
you written any more books or made a Video or CD of your
work? I would
be interested to buy any of these..
Many
thanks,
Wilfred
England
8/13/06
I
got my book and CD a couple of days ago. I am really
interested in the section about ceramic patination and
creating the mount. I've worked almost exclusively with
oil-based clay and I never understood why sculptors worked
with water-based, but now I get it. Thanks.
Randy
Florida
8/13/06
I just
wanted to let you know that I received the CD. It had been
held up by customs over here. I've
had a quick look through it and I'm really pleased to find
it every bit as good as I was hoping it would be. It will
be extremely useful to me. It's very well written and easy
to follow. Thanks for all
your help.
John Williams.
Kendal,
United Kingdom
8/2/06
I think
that your book is wonderful! I use my color CD as my reference
copy and my black and white copy as my working copy - - the
one that inevitably will get full of clay. Thanks so much for
writing and publishing your book.
Marian,
MA
6/29/06
The book
is very well done, congratulations and thank you. I wish I
had something this well done when I just started.
R. Becker
Poway,
CA
4/19/06
Hi
Heidi- I'm someone who bought your CD book and use
it all the time as a refernce. I've just gone back
to your website and found the mold making/casting demos
and they're terrific. I live in a black hole here
and am trying to teach myself. Your information is
generous and really helpful. Thanks.
Alex
Kansas
3/20/06
I,ve bought your CD through The Complet Sculptor web page.
It was very interesting and helping for me. I was totally focused
into ilustration, drawing and painting when town hall and neighbours
(this is a very small place near Guernica, Basque Country,
Spain) decided to build a monument. Someone told it should
be an easy work for me and without any other experience I accepted.
So as I think without your CD it should be impossible to
create something "serious",
I wish to give you my thanks for help.
I,m sorry about my poor English. I know that I need to improve. Hope you can
understand all what I mean.
Kind regards,
J. Carlos Glera
Spain
3/18/06
Heidi,
this CD
is great I haven't stopped sculpting busts since I got it.
I work with wax because I can't stand sagging it drives me
nuts. I must try the
80% bust, I've been working in miniature and it's really
challenging.Well thanks again, and let me know if you come
out with any more e-books.
Thanks
again,
Kevin
Twin
Falls, Idaho
2/15/06
"That
tip came from Heidi Maiers e-book. She has a lot of little
gems that I picked up on. I love referrring
to her e-book when I need to for reference. It stays in my
lap top."
Tamara
California
11/20/05
"If
you're looking for an in-depth Step-by-Step (and
I really mean that), then you can't miss with the eBook
by Heidi Maiers "Portrait Sculpture Simplified". The techniques
she shows are World Class. I have never seen a more thorough
demonstration on how to make the head than this. I have
the CD version and I'm thrilled. The techniques are as applicable
to large sculpture as they are to small scale. As an example
of the Step-by-Step, she doesn't just show you the lips
and say ok cut here and smooth that. She shows you the whole
process on how to do it and gives you other examples to
reference as well.
It's like those in-depth "How to Draw" books, but for sculpture".
Will
Pettee
San Francisco,
CA
9/27/05
For
the past year I have followed your work and you have been
a great inspiration for me. I bought your e-book about
6 months ago and I have studied it chapter for chapter,
using it as my teacher. I am truly grateful for your
talent and that you have passed it on to others like
myself.
Deon
South
Africa
9/26/05
I've
been working in clay for about two years. I purchased your
DVD last year and find it invaluable. Great information and
instruction. What I'm hoping is that you might offer workshops
in person also.
I try to carefully choose one or two of my favorite sculptors workshops to attend
for my vacations.
Peggy
Oklahoma
7/14/05
I found
so much useful information in the patina lesson (and I love
your work) that I decided to invest in the rest of it. I have
at least 15 books on sculpture but they don't put it simply
and really include what you need exactly to do it.
It's nice to be in a class with an instructor but they just fix my errors and
I have to watch carefully to learn anything. It left much to chance. Not to
mention I am forced to their limited studio time. Doing this at home in my
own work shop will lead to much better sculptures. Especially now that you
answered at least 50 questions I had. Thanks so much for providing this on
the net!
Sheila
Anderson
Florida
6/29/05
First,
I'm a big fan. I have gotten alot out of your GREAT step by
step instructions. I teach Sculpture and I have learned alot
form not only your work, but by your clear instructions. Thank
you.
Gregg Florida
6/20/05
I've
been using your book chapter! (Lesson #2) It's packed with
stuff I need to know! had been working on a head before I downloaded
it but was able to make corrections according to your instruction.
Will start my next head following your information from the
beginning. Have been telling my clay colleagues about your
book!
Sharon
Washington
3/5/05
I just
got your CD Heidi and have been reading it today. I haven't
finished it yet, but what a lot of great information presented
in a very clear and easy to understand manner. Thanks for writing
it!
Amelia
California
3/2/05
I have
your eBook and found it to be an excellent resource with the
most informative step by step instructions on how to sculpt
that I have ever seen (and I have seen a lot!).
I admire your talent and and your willingness to share your knowledge -- I
only wish that I found out about you sooner!
Bay Area,
California
2/20/05
Thanks
Heidi,
I haven't had a chance to read all of it yet but I want you to know that I
think it's terrific. you've laid out the basic proportional rules in
a more clear way than I've seen before. I love that the text supports
the visuals rather than the other way around - so clear! Good job!
Claudia
Fresno,
California
12/4/04
Just
wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your e-book (and now
your website). I refer to the book often, and I will
be sure to check your site regularly to see what new information
it contains.
Thanks very much.
Marian
Massachusetts
11/11/04
My E-Book
arrived in the mail today and I have quickly scanned over it.
One word. Outstanding !! You have done a really fine job with
this presentation.
Thank
you very much for taking the time to send it out to me and
also for answering my questions. I'm sure I'll have a few more
as I progress down the sculpting road. I can now spend the
next while combing over the vast amount of info contained on
the CD. I am very glad that I contacted you and thank you very
much again.
Looking
forward to seeing your next site updates, and future e-books.
Keep up the great work,
Kevin
Johnson
Courtenay,
Canada
11/01/04
Hi Heidi,
I received the CD today! (ordered Saturday, received 2 days later on Monday)
Now THAT is great service! Thank you so much, I have already found your ebook
helpful. It is also a delight to read/view. Wonderful work.
David
Belleville, MI
10/04/04
A few weeks ago I ordered
and received your e-book. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you.
I am also a sculptor. I specialize in bas-relief. Your work is exquisite and
I love it. I printed all of the chapters and put them in two binders. To me
they are such treasures. I have looked for the longest time for help in soooo
many of the areas that you covered in the material.
Your book exudes the love, joy, and passion for sculpture I once knew. Your
own joy poured from the pages. At a few moments, ( excuse me for this, I'm
an artist) the love of sculpture that I could feel returning made me feel to
weep. It is like someone finding their lost love. It is beautiful. Thank you
for your generosity and the sacrifices you and your family have made in order
to bring such a work to life. Those pages mean a lot to me.
Victoria Stautzenberger
Fort Worth, Texas
9/28/04
I am an Australian
artist and my art practice is focused primarily on portrait sculpture. I
am also head of the Sculpture department at Adelaide Central School of Art.I
am considering applying for a Churchill Fellowship to further my knowledge
of the teaching and practice of portrait sculpture. I found your site,
and have bought and greatly enjoyed your ebook
J. Martin from
Adelaide,
Australia
9/2/04
Just received your
book Portrait Sculpture Simplified and to say it is fantastic is an understatement.
have printed the first five chapters and already made three armatures. look
forward to completing the first clay piece. PLEASE ADVISE WHEN EVER AN UP
DATE IS AVAIL. THANKS AGAIN
Bill
Langendorf
8/14/04
Dear Heidi,
I just purchased your e-book, Portrait Sculpture Simplified. Thank you
so much for writing it!!
Your book is fantastic and very helpful! I was stunned by your amazing
work. If you ever come out this way and have workshops, I would love
to attend!!! Your book is a great help to me.
Thank you again!
Sincerely,
Lisa W
Victoria, B.C.
6/24/04
I have received
the ebook and am very happy with it. I now need to print it and get going
on my next portrait.
Trevor
South Africa
6/19/04
Just wanted to
let you know that the disk arrived. Thanks for the prompt shipment. Looking
forward to not being intimidated by clay.
Karen
Arizona
5/1/04
I have been look
at my ebook on sculpture and when I have time I am going to start another
bust with the help of your book. It is great. I love it. Thanks again.
Pat
Arizona
1/15/04
I recently purchased
your electronic book from The Compleat Sculptor. Though I thought it
would be most useful on modeling techniques, the information on mold-making
and patination is currently the greater area of fascination. It was
a wonderful purchase.
Mark V., New York
1/14/04
Heidi,
Your CD provides
a lot of great information for artist. I will be adding your web site, CD
along with Sculpt Nouveau's web site to the list of info on the syllabus
handout for the portrait class I teach.
Jim
North Carolina
11/18/03
I've enjoyed reading
and looking at your book over and over. I've just finished my first head. I
also would like to try figure sculpture. Do you plan to do a book on
figurative sculpture as well? Thanks so much.
Neil Fryzer
New York
11/12/03
We just returned
from a lovely weekend in Portland and your CD was waiting for me. Thank you!
My hubby has already printed a few pages, just to whet my appetite, and it
looks great. I'm eager to read the whole thing and will get it printed today
so I can. My first impression? Very professional! So know I'm pleased you
sent the CD so quickly.
11/15/03
My gosh! Your
book is terrific! I'm really impressed with the style and content. You
deserve to feel proud of yourself. You are obviously a gifted, talented
sculptor. Thank you for sharing your CD with me.
Christina Poshusta
Newport, Oregon
11/7/03
Got it. Read it.
Love it. Thanks again.
T.T. in Texas
10/26/03
Heidi,
I just received my copy of your e-book. It's great, so much great information.
Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge with those of us who are
just beginning. Your chapters on proportions are great, I saw right away
some things I need to start doing in my work. Thank you also for keeping
the cost low enough to make the ebook available to everyone. I love your
work and will be returning to your site often. Keep up the great work.
B. W.
Oklahoma
10/26/03
Got it..THANKS!! Photos really nice... almost as good as being there.
J. G.
Indiana
10/25/03
Thank
you. You are giving value that pretty much doesn't exist anymore and any "lesson" book
will always carry more value. What would you give for a seminar or workshop
with only a fraction of the information you are providing? Your book is
well worth every penny and probably more. Looking at other comparable books
(which there are not many) that are sold out there, I can easily see this
book split into two volumes and sold at $50 a piece.
D.
Reynolds
Nevada |
