This is my friend. I've based my character design on her.

I've styled the character as a gypsy, and the colour palette is chosen accordingly.

Taking the character further, the next step was to take it from 2D to 3D, by making a stone clay model. 

A wireframe was made first, given volume using wet coir rope.

The frame was then set on a wooden base and attached with M-seal, a waterproof adhesive (usually used in plumbing). 

Next, the base shape of the character's face, torso and limbs was added. Then, with the use of sculpting and carving tools, the finer details and features were added. Clothing and other details were layered over the base structure.

The model was finished from every side.

After the clay model dried out completely, it was parted using plastic sheets and coated with the hardest type of Plaster of Paris. This created a mould in which Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP)was poured. The model is now more or less permanent! The clay model was destroyed, but that is part of the process. 

 

A bit of filing and sanding left, and soon the FRP model will be ready.