Sandra Garrity is one of the most renowned sculptor in the business, and she is sometimes refered to be the heart of the US sculptor scene. Sandra was kind enough, to spend some time to answer my questions. Throughout the interview you will find pictures of Sandra's work (most are thumbnails, and by clicking on them you will get a bigger version). Sandra has even provided us with some in progress pictures which I find very interesting.
Q: When have you been born, and where ?
A: I was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma in 1945.
Q: Where do you live ?
A: I am currently living in Ohio, near Dayton.
Q: How did you get into painting and/or sculptingminiatures ?
A: I was encouraged to interview for Ral Partha in 1988 by a friend who was doing the art for the blistercards for them. I finally started working freelance for them in December of 1989.
Q: Which was your first scratch built miniature ?
A: I did a tiny dragon and a dwarf.
Q: Do you have miniatures that you would call milestones in your sculpting career ?
A: I don't think so-- every figure I do, I view as practice for the next one.
Q: How long have you been sculpting now ?
A: I've been sculpting for about 35 years. However,I've only been doing miniatures since 1989 for a living.
Q: When did you get paid the first time forsculpting a miniature ? (picture ?)
A: I did my first miniature for Ral Partha in 1989. My first painting that I sold was in 1970 or 71.
Q: For which companies have you been working for so far ?
A: In the gaming industry, I have worked for Ral Partha, Lance & Laser, Grenadier, Leading Edge Games, RAFM, AEG, Talon, Reaper Miniatures, Dwarven Forge, Black Orc, Chivalry Consulting Inc., and Discount Hobby. Outside the gaming industry, I have worked for Rawcliffe Pewter, Franklin Mint, Danbury Mint, Hasbro Toys, and a variety of private clients who have commisioned work for personal and corporate projects.
Q: When and how did you decide to make your living from sculpting, and why ?
A: I fell into the making of miniatures when my husband retired form the Air Force and a friend of mine, who was doing the art for the blistercards for Ral Partha back in 1988 got me to interview for Ral Partha. Subsequently, I began doing freelance work for Partha and finally, in the last part of 1989, went on staff with them.
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These miniatures were done for Black Ork Games. They are the Panthera Tribe: Crouching Tiger, Lunging Tiger, and Lynx Shaman. |
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Q: Would you do so again ?
A: Yes! The people that I have had the good fortune to work with and the good people who I have been able to meet as a result of my work in the industry, have not only enabled me to support my family, but have greatly enriched my life.
Q: Do you like to paint miniatures too ?
A: I love to paint minis, but unfortunately my schedule is so heavy most times that I do not have much time to paint them.
Q: How important for you is the act that others will be painting them ?
A: I love to see how people paint my "children"! It is very interesting to see how different the same figure looks when it is painted differently.
Q: Which miniatures do you like to paint more, the ones you sculpted yourself or miniatures sculpted by others ?
A: That depends on the figure--It doesn't matter who did the sculpt if is a cool figure.
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This figure is a Steve Petrey wizard, done for Fantization.com. |
Q: What did you learn from painting, that helps you in sculpting ?
A: I have learned what details are difficult to paint unless they are exaggerated a bit.
Q: Do you prefer to work from conceptional artwork or rough descriptions ?
A: I love to be given free rein to design the figure with only a rough description of the type of figure, weaponry, etc. However, what most clients need is a figure that follows very closly to the decriptions that are in their games.
Q: Which other artists did influence you most ?
A: In the gaming industry it would be Tom Meir and Julie Guthrie. Many of the old masters, such as Michael Angelo influenced my early sculpting, as did inspiration from the fantasy artists such a Frazetta and Boris.
Q: Do you have a preferred topic when sculpting ?
A: Not really, although I do prefer to do non- mechanical pieces whenI have a chioce.
Q: Do you prefer sculpting fantasy or science fiction miniatures ?
A: I like them both. I'm a major fan of both Science Fiction and Fantasy.
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A silver dragon for Reaper Miniatures. |
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Q: The market for miniatures is filled with stereotypical renderings of "sexy women". Often you are thanked by painters for supplying more natural looking female miniatures. What do you think about the whole topic ?
A: Well, lets face it, sexy figures sell. That's why clients want them. But attractive female and male figures are sought after also by those who want a more realistic representation of a character. I like doing figures with more logical attire because they make more sense to me. I wouldn't want to be running around with no armor if I were in a battle with sharp pointy things being directed at my body. Would you? I think a variety of types of figures should be made available to give everyone a chance to get figures they like. How boring it would be with no variety in life.
Q: What is the greatest challenge for you when sculpting ?
A: My greatest challenge is to do a piece that will not only follow the specifications set forth by my client, but to do it in such a way as to make the figure as visually pleasing to those that would buy it as possible.
Q: What projects are you working on right now ?
A: Well, by the time you read this, I'll be on to other projects, so this will be old news. I'm working a range of fantasy figs and some cool dragons for Reaper, and some fantasy figs of various types for two other companies. I can,t be too specific as the release on these projects has not been anounced yet.
Q: Did you learn from other sculptors or did you teach yourself sculpting ?
A: Mostly I taught myself, although another sculptor, Dave Summers, who started at Ral Partha the same time as I did, was very helpful. We bounced ideas off each other and we were able to help each other when one or the other ran up against a problem.
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A elf sorceress with a small dragon for Reaper Miniatures. |
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Q: Do you have any formal artistic education ?
A: I have a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education.
Q: What hint would you give someone who would like to learn sculpting ?
A: Research the type of sculpting you want to do and then try to get pointers on how to work the materials you want to use. Practice, practice, and practice! Try to get others to give you a critique of your work and look at others' work to see what makes it good.
Q: Which tools do you mainly use ?
A: I mainly use a number 11 exacto blade (with the edge dulled), various dental tools and pointy tools such as needles, and a spoon shaped tool that I made from a brass rod. The majority of my tools are homemade and I make more tools from time to fill specialized needs that come up.
Q: Which putties do you use ?
A: I use Polimeric Systems Kneadatite blue/yellow, their blue/white, and their brown/silver putties Also, I use Milliput from time to time and mix it in various ratios with the other putties to get certain hardnesses and characteristics.
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A elf archer for Reaper Miniatures. |
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Q: What kind of reference material do you use ?
A: I use reference sent by clients, books, photos, magazine pictures, videos, anything that can give me a visual reference for the type of figure I need to do.
Q: Which reference material would you recommend for beginners ?
A: Anything that can show a visual reference, from as many angles as possible, for the type of figure being done.
Q: Which mistakes do beginning sculptors do most often, and how can one avoid these ?
A: Most beginning sculptors seem to try to begin without getting enough technical information on the material they will be using. Also they do not do as much research as they should to be sure they have a clear picture of the subject matter.
First, one should find out as much as possible about the working characteristics of the sculpting medium they are using and how to work the product within its capabilities.
Second, make sure you research what the thing you want to sculpt looks like--get plenty of visual reference.
Q: Which are the general steps when you sculpt a miniature ?
A: I start with an armature (Wire) and build up the figure in layers, allowing the layers to cure before going on to the next layer. I moisten the tools with water or spit (usually spit) to keep the putty from sticking to the tools.
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A green dragon for Reaper Miniatures. |
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Q: Which is the last trick or technique you learned?
A: I learned to keep the putty either refrigerated or frozen to prolong the shelf life.
Q: In your opinion, which is the most important trick or technique ?
A: Learning to moisten my tools and work in layers (Couldn't seperate which I thought was most important)
Q: How long do you need for a typical miniature ?
A; It ranges between 12 and 18 hours for the hands- on sculpting time. Be sure to consider that there will be the cure times also when you plan how long it will be from start to finish on the figure.
Q: How do you do drapery ?
A: I lay fresh putty on the surface that I want to have the drapery on and use a moistened tool to press in the folds. I then trim the bottome edge of excess putty. The folds are also built up on cured areas.
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Step by step pictures of the VIC #7 miniature. |
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Q: You sculpt a wide range of faces. Many sculptors have a limited variety in their faces, how do you achieve this ? Also especially in your faces you have very delicate details, and your eyes are considerably smaller than a lot of other sculptors do them. How do you do them ?
A: I cut in the eyes with a no. 11 exacto blade when the putty is soft and shape the face on an underpinning (A small protrusion on the neck of the figure). I place the eyes, nose and mouth, working the shape of the face a bit here and there as I go. As the putty gets more stiff it can be smoothed and pressed to adjust the shapes on the face and the shape of the head itself.
Q: How do you do hair ?
A: Hair is laid on in pieces about the shape of the hair style you want, then using a no. 11 exacto blade (the one that I dulled for use as a sculpting tool) I cut in the hair strands using a pulling motion when the putty is soft.
Q: You are often adding delicate patterns on your miniatures, how do you create these ?
A: These are added onto the cured surfaces in layers, using fresh putty.
Q: What is the difference in approaching a female or a male miniature ? (body, face, pose ...) Do you think female miniatures are more difficult to sculpt ?
A: Female figures are not as bulky and the musculature and facial features are smoother and much more subtle. I think female figures are more difficult to do because you have to be very subtle in doing the details, especially in the face to avoid making the female look old or mannish.
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Step by step pictures of the VIC #7 miniature. |
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Q: You have sculpted a special Visions in Color miniature for Reaper Miniatures. What was your reaction when you first heard of this project ?
A: I was very flattered that the folks at Reaper wanted me to do this piece and I hope that the people who are painting it will like it.
Q: What do you think about the textual and visual concept you got for the miniature ?
A: The art that Reaper sent was super! Their artist, Tim is top notch, and comes up with really visually interesting figure concepts.
Q: Did you approach the miniature differently, because you knew that it would be used for a VIC ?
A: Well, not really because every figure that I do is done with the goal of doing the best job I can to give my client what is needed. All figures are done on an armature and built up in layers, adding detail upon cured surfaces. > [If you like, add some more detailed description of > the sculpting process, or we > could wait for the in progress shots and add > comments then.]
Q: Do you accept commissioned work ? If yes, how should a potential customer get in contact with you ?
A: I do accept commisioned work. I work full time as a freelance artist doing mainly sculpture at this time, but not limited to that. I also do flatwork if commisioned to do it. I may be contacted by phone:(937)845-1014, or e-mail: sandra_garrity@yahoo.com.
Q: Do you want so say something not mentioned before?
A: Actually, I would like to thank all of the great people who have bought my figures and given me the chance to do the art that I love so much. Being able to do something that brings enjoyment to so many has enriched my life tremendously. I will try to to do the best work possible and be worthy of your support.
Thank you for your patience and answering all these questions.
