A Classic Look
While there are many different ways to sculpt this sort of mane and braid, the following method is one I find to be the easiest and also the easier to adapt to small scales.
The method uses two simple shapes (triangle and round epoxy clay shapes) to create the overall shape of the mane. From there, you will use mane sculpting techniques covered in both my prior tutorials and in other hobby tutorials on the web, making this an actually rather approachable braid.
The one thing to watch out for is the size of your mane, particularly the button braids themselves. It is very easy to sculpt these too large, especially on your first attempt. However, if you make them too large, you can carve them down to size if you don’t want to start over again.
The method uses two simple shapes (triangle and round epoxy clay shapes) to create the overall shape of the mane. From there, you will use mane sculpting techniques covered in both my prior tutorials and in other hobby tutorials on the web, making this an actually rather approachable braid.
The one thing to watch out for is the size of your mane, particularly the button braids themselves. It is very easy to sculpt these too large, especially on your first attempt. However, if you make them too large, you can carve them down to size if you don’t want to start over again.
Tools and Supplies
- Hair reference (lots!)
- Epoxy putty in your brand of choice
- Toothpick, hobby knife or other pointy tool
- Clay shapers
- Water or isopropyl alcohol
- Paper towels
- Soft paintbrush
Step 1: Mark Your Button Areas
Marking a series of dots that represent where the button part of the braids would be will help guide you during sculpting.
Step 2: Sculpt the Base of the Hair
Using a series of little trianglular blobs, squish them down on the neck with the pointed ends of the blobs pointing down. This is the part of the hair that has been pulled together to start the braid. The tips should also line up with your dots. I also like to start creating hair texture at this stage too.
Step 3: Sculpt the Buttons
Using little circles, press them along the tips of your prior blobs and press in hair detail to simulate the rolled up braids that form each button.
Step 4: Refine the Hair
Much like any mane, use a series of pointed tools and a paintbrush to create hair detail and smooth as needed, repeating as needed.
It is surprisingly easy to make the braids too large, especially if you are working in small scales. My first pass on this model resulted in buttons that were just a touch too large (left) and so I carved them to the ideal size after the mane had fully cured (right). I used a hobby knife and cut in such as way as to nick the putty and create the sense of braided and folded hair. This was a little faster than starting the mane from scratch again.
It is surprisingly easy to make the braids too large, especially if you are working in small scales. My first pass on this model resulted in buttons that were just a touch too large (left) and so I carved them to the ideal size after the mane had fully cured (right). I used a hobby knife and cut in such as way as to nick the putty and create the sense of braided and folded hair. This was a little faster than starting the mane from scratch again.
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