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Sculpting a Santos Doll Form in Clay

ByJennifer
27 Comments
At one time, Santos dolls were the height of popularity. While they aren’t as main stream as they used to be, they still have vintage and historical charm.  This post was orignally written around 2009 and I wanted to reshare it with you because it leads through the process if making Santos dolls and my process for sculpting.  Here is a flashback for you from when I first started making Santos Cage Dolls in clay: I’ve been busy in any spare time I can grab, filling the long winter moments working on things for my spring collection on Etsy and the up-coming Nada farm show. One thing I’ve been concentrating on is my handmade Santos cage dolls. I think dolls are one of those things you either really get into or not. I am not a doll person per se, but I really enjoy sculpting. I I always start with constructing an armature when sculpting a Santos doll form in clay.
A papier-mâché mannequin torso with an oval head, reminiscent of sculpting a Santos doll form in clay, features no facial details against a neutral background.

The armature includes a cardboard mini-mannequin bust, a cardboard egg for a head and a dowel to hold them together.  Once those are secured, I then I add layer after layer of clay. As much as I enjoy the process, I must admit, when they start to look a bit human sometimes they creep me out. Just like individual vintage doll heads. I know some people really love them. Good for you. Because those things freak me out too.

A Quick History of Santos Cage Dolls

Santos dolls are transitionally French and Spanish. Santos is the Spanish word for saints .  They are also known as cage dolls referring to their base that looks slightly cage like. They would be in small villages as icons and are now decor pieces and collectable antiques.  They can be adorned with crosses and beaded necklaces and were popular in the 17th and 18th century.
White abstract sculpture of a human figure with a tilted head and minimal facial features, set against a blurred background.
First the entire armature is covered with a layer of air dry clay, all of the way down the torso of the form.  I then work on their base features like the eyes and nose when sculpting a Santos doll form in clay. I try to make them have more delicate features as I sculpt.
A white, unfinished sculpture of a stylized human bust with a tilted head—reminiscent of sculpting a Santos doll form in clay—sits on a table in a room with blurred furniture in the background.
 It takes me about 8 hours to make each one, start to finish. I prefer to paint in the eyes instead of sculpting them.Some of it is because my skill level isn’t there yet. I want them to have relaxed and serene expressions.
A white, faceless human figure sculpture, reminiscent of sculpting a Santos doll form in clay, features a patch of missing paint on its upper back and is shown from behind against a blurred background.
 I smooth as much as I can to get a smooth finish to minimize wet sanding.
Unpainted clay bust of a person with an elongated neck and a tilted head, featuring minimal facial details, reminiscent of sculpting a Santos doll form in clay, displayed indoors.
Then comes the face.  Once I start on the facial features I am committed to finishing. I can’t stop because they clay has to stay wet the entire time I can spend hours just working on eyes and lips. I tweak and tweak and tweak until I get her mostly where I need it to be pushing the clay around; then I can work on refining later. It’s strange and amazing to me how their personalities emerge even before I start painting. before it’s dry. I add the arm holes for the wires. I then let it dry, add the cage portion on the bottom and paint! I have a few reproductions I have collected,  but this was one of the first ones I made.
A painted wooden doll with movable arms, a blue dress, and long stick legs stands in front of two vintage clock faces and stacked books—perfect inspiration for DIY Santos Doll Kits and Supplies enthusiasts.
I hope you enjoyed seeing how I work in sculpting a Santos doll form in clay. See more about making your own here.
Jen

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27 Comments

  1. Wow, it is looking amazing, you are very talented! I love ‘dress forms’ or ‘dolls’ whatever you want to call the ‘body’ and alter them with paper and found objects. Can you email me where you obtained your base?

    I look forward to watching your progress!

    Cathy

  2. I also love them, and i too would like to know where the basis body comes from or do you do it yourself! So amazing can’t wait to see the finished santo!!!

    thank you

    c

  4. Are you kidding me, you make these? Please show us a picture of a completed doll. As if I wasn’t already totally impressed with you…wowee lady!! 😉
    Hugs~
    T

  5. Ok, swear to me that sometime over a margarita you are going to tell me how a girl with talents like this…ended up in the fire academy??? Lol! Now THAT is going to be good, I just know it!

    Mary

  14. Jen that is amazing! Oh I wish I could do that. I want one exactly my size. Oh, I have a thousand questions for you now.

    YOU are amazing!

  18. Oh GF, you are talented! I love what you are doing there. Funny that it creeps you out, does it feel like you are making a real person? Only this one will not live and breathe? Or maybe they do when you are sleeping? Sorry! Do you name them?
    I hope you post a photo of the finished product.

  19. I’m one of those people who loves Santos dolls…..and also happens to love doll heads in general. I so appreciate the work and love you put into your sculpture….the face is wonderful. I look forward to seeing her completed.
    Tootles
    Diana

  21. I think you did an Awesome job. Just the other day I was reading your blog and thought wonder what base and medium you use to make the dolls. Enjoy!

  25. Wow – what a process! You are so incredibly talented! And I am with Mary – haha – would love to know how you ended up at the fire academy!

  26. I’m with all of the other ladies, way impressed! Sculpting always intimidated me, not because the forms make me nervous but because it looks SO HARD. The way you describe the process makes it sound similar to painting where you build up layer by layer. I’m still not going to try however 🙂 I can’t wait to see her finished. Have fun!

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