I usually sketch the first initial design in clay from an inspiration or idea that I have had, quite roughly at first playing around with the shape as the image develops.

When I'm happy with the way it looks I then begin to build the metal armature which is the real bones of the figure based on the anatomy of the pose.This needs to be very carefully considered as I will not be able to alter the armature later when the clay starts to be applied to it.

I build up the clay in layers quite thinly at first taking into account certain key points of the bone structure and then the muscular structure and finally the outer layers of the skin finessing it to a high standard of finish.