How to make 3D characters from steel wire like textbooks

Instructions on how to make 3D characters from steel wire for students to practice technical exercises. To create 3D characters with steel wire we will summarize in 4 steps below:

Cut a piece of steel wire about 1.5m long to make a skeleton for the character according to the drawing in activity 1.
Shape the character’s head and neck from the middle of the steel wire
From the neck create shoulders, arms, torso, hips, legs and joints by twisting the steel wire corresponding to the positions marked on the figure. The remaining piece of wire is wound at the block for the body.
Create shapes for the character by wrapping paper.

How to make 3D characters from steel wire:

Step 1: Steel wire, foil, scissors, pliers, clothes hangers

Step 2: Perform wire cutting

Now we need to cut each part of the character frame 3D (skeleton). The cuts must match the proportions of the cuts in the illustration. The longer strings are about 9cm long and will eventually create a character about 7cm tall from head to toe.

Step 3: Shoulder and spine wrap

Next, you’ll take a long cord and hold two longer pieces of hanging rope parallel with a shorter one in between them for the neck.

Step 4: Wrap the core together

Take the wire and start wrapping 3/4 of the length of the longer sling with the neck in the position as shown. Make sure you wrap it as tightly as possible.

Step 5: More roles

Now, add one of the shorter pieces on top at the base of the neck. Make sure to wrap it completely around the shoulder and outside the forearm to ensure that the steel wire 3D character frame remains sturdy.

Step 6: More feet

Now, take the last two smaller pieces and bend them 90 degrees about 3/4 of the length

Step 7: Leg wrap

Now, wrap the foot towards the bottom of the leg while leaving some of the legs sticking out from the bottom so we can attach the skeleton to the sole.

Step 8: Start adding foil

Start wrapping strips of foil around the parts of your body that need contouring. I usually wrap most of the frame in foil because I find that the clay (for the character’s head) sticks to it better. And also save the material cost of clay.

Step 10: Set the character frame

You can now use Rope that comes out from under your feet to erect a 3d character frame from steel wire. A wooden or steel base with holes roughly the same diameter as the wire will hold it steady.