Chong Li
   BLOODSPORT

This is the first sculpture using 100% polymer clay. A mix of white and translucent. In the past I’ve only used air-dry clay and / or combined with polymer. One day I’ll include wood too since I’m a carver. The xacto blade is probably my most used tool and then the filing / sanding tool.

Having used both Sculpey Premo and Firm, I find they’re both too soft to work with because my hands get hot when I’m in the zone. So what I do is sculpt quickly the features and proportions and bake right away. Then I can hold onto it (head, torso and then assembled as a whole figure) and really dig into it with the blade carving, sharpening and sanding the details. The goal is not to make it look machine-made rather handmade.

** Update: the base will not have a glass case or dome. It will simply be the Kumite canvas platform. Lastly, Chong Li’s shorts and sash will be getting an upgrade to full fabric!
After days of trying to replicate the shorts, I had no choice but to say it. 'Ma-teh'... at this scale, I just couldn't make it look good. Sticking with the sculpted shorts and the plan for replicating this piece without fabric besides the head and leg bands. Aiming to finalize the piece and base by mid February.

STATUES