Model Magic Dragon Eyes: Sculpture Tutorial

This video is going to show you all the steps needed to create model magic dragon eyes. The worksheet I'm going to be demonstrating on is also available for free in the description of this video. The first thing you'll want to do is sketch what you want your dragon eye to look like. Decide on the colors you want to create because you will be making your own colors for this Next color the iris. This paper that you're coloring will actually become the colorful part of your dragon eye. We will be cutting it out and attaching it to a glass capuchon to create the eye. Using different colors I try to create a starburst like effect and I keep my color When you're finished coloring your iris you'll take a glass capuchon and just notice that one side is rounded while the other is flat. You will be drawing on the flat side. Using a permanent marker draw your pupil. Now if you don't have a permanent marker it's going to be important to not do this on the capuchon. If you don't have a permanent marker then you'll need to draw your pupil directly on the paper itself using a colored pencil. The benefit of using the permanent marker on glass is that if you make a mistake you can actually remove the permanent marker from the glass capuchon by using some alcohol or hand sanitizer. Next you're going to need to take scissors and cut out that circular iris that you colored. This is then going to be attached to the flat side of your glass capuchon. I will be using acrylic gloss medium for this but you could also use mod podge or really any kind of glue that dries crystal clear. I just brush on a little bit of the gloss acrylic medium to the flat side of the glass capuchon and then I stick that on to the colored side of the paper. I press very firmly, trim the edges, and write my name on the in case this piece gets lost. Now I'm going to be moving on to how to work with the model magic. When working with model magic you can use this worksheet as your mat and there are instructions that will help you on the right hand side. It's best to work on a paper worksheet because the model magic will not stick to the paper. It will sometimes stick to other surfaces though. I will only be using white model magic for this dragon eye. First thing I'm going to do, and this is very important, I'm going to divide my model magic into three pieces. These three pieces will become the base, the eyelids, and the details. First I work with the base and I mix the base into the color that I want using markers. I keep all the other pieces of model magic in my bag zipped up while I do this. When I have my color mixed I'm going to flatten that piece into a slab and this will become the base of my dragon eye. I do this directly on that paper worksheet. Next I will take another piece of white model magic clay from my bag and I will use it to create the eyelids. First I'll mix up the color that I want the eyelids to be using my sketch as a reference. The eyelids could be the same color as the base or they could be different. Notice how the more marker I add the darker the color becomes. I'll create a slab first for my eyelids and then using scissors I will cut the slab in half. Now there are a few optional things that you could do at this point with your dragon eye. One option is to insert a hook. This could be as simple as a paper clip but if you want to insert a hook now would be the time to do that before you attach the eyelids. Or if you want to darken the eye socket you could do so with marker. You can always draw directly on the model magic with marker at any time. Then you're ready to attach the eyelids and you can cover up as much or as little of your eye made from your glass capuchon as you want. You definitely want to cover up at least some of it though because this is how you are locking that eye into place. If you have excess model magic you can trim some of that off and then you can actually save that and reuse it for your colorful and textural details. And yes that's the most fun part and the most time consuming part so take your time mixing up different colors and playing with different textures to create a very unique eye. I'm using my sketch above to help me. I'm looking to see some of the ideas that I had drawn out and then trying to find ways to create that sculpturally. You can add details directly with markers and you can also add texture with markers too. When you press the marker tip whether it's a thin or a thick marker into the model magic it can leave a mark. Scissors are one of my favorite tools to use with model magic because they cut so cleanly and the model magic does not stick to the scissors like other clays would. I also like to use any kind of everyday object as a tool when using model magic. You don't need anything fancy or sharp. As I work on creating my dragon eye I'm going to explain some ideas that you might want to try. You can create coils thick or thin by rolling out some of your model magic on a flat surface. You can also take different colors of model magic and twist them together to form a rope. You can create spirals and other designs and you can just stick them right on to your previously created sculpture and it sticks instantly. That's the beauty of model magic. It sticks so quick but also because of that you have to be careful that you're only sticking on what you want to stay. You can also add texture using various tools like a simple toothpick or a fork and you can add in additional layers of color anytime to add more vibrancy and detail. You can create a bumpy texture using one or more different colors of clay that you roll into small tiny spheres and attach to your sculpture. You can even mix and blend markers directly on the model magic for unique gradients. You can also make hair or eyelashes and you can build up or darken the eyelids using either the model magic or also the addition of markers. I personally enjoy adding extra detail with markers because the colors are so much more intense than they are when you mix them directly into the model magic. And as I get closer to finishing my sculpture I like to go in and add some extra texture and detail using my simple tools. For instance I can take my toothpick and just pull that model magic and direct the clay into the spaces I want it to go. When your dragon eye is completely finished you're going to need to allow it to dry for at least 24 hours. The best way to do this is to take your paper and accordion fold it. Fold it back and forth back and forth so that you have a piece of paper that is in a zigzag pattern like a fan. Place your eye on top of the accordion folded paper and just make sure you can still see your name written on your worksheet. The accordion fold of your paper will allow air to get underneath your dragon eye as well as on top drawing it from all sides. I hope this video both inspired you and informed you on how to create a dragon eye using model magic and very simple tools. Thanks for watching! Bye!