Mandar Marathe

Learn the art of clay sculpting: Make a Ganapati idol

This is great for a first attempt, Remco! The start looks better because of the height to width proportion of the idol is correct but I guess the clay is too soft and sank a bit as you progressed. Can see how the idol's hand drooped and needed support. Try drying the clay a bit before using. Overall I think the idol needs to be taller than it is for better proportions. The 3rd and 4th hand needs to bend in opposite direction in the wrist. In the face, the ears start where the cheeks end. Reduce the valley that's there at that place in the idol. Every attempt drastically improves the sculpture, so if you want fast improvement, make the idol one or two more times with least amount of time gap. Keep making sculpture frequently and you'll see your growth! Keep it up!

Thank you very much for your comments. I totally agree. I lost proportions after placing the head and only realized this a bit to late. Due to the weight everything dropped and now you can hardly see the crossed legs. But as you said i doesn't have to be perfect the first time around. This is a present for my father hope he likes it. Thanks again. Will try to find the time to make more idols and sculptures and then pay more attention to the paint job as well.

Oops hands 3 and 4 how did i miss that :)... but the way i did it is at least also possible...its not completely wrong is it. The ears i thought i needed a bit of support of the shoulders so maybe i made those a little to big on purpose. Sorry about that.
Hope more of your students are "brave" enough to show their results, so me and others can learn from those. Thnx again Mandar for teaching me the basics of clay sculpture. Clay is so much more forgiving when mistakes are made compared to wood something i have been trying up to know. As a graphic designer i like to think outside the box and try other arts from time to time. Will surely follow more of your classes and at least try to make the best of them.

The making of a Ganapati or Ganesha

Company

Work With Us

Teach with Us

Shop

Mobile

English

English