This Is Just One Way to Make An Armature For A Portrait Head

Step 1. Decide on a size that will include the head, neck, shoulders and base. The example here is 12 inches. Fold into a zig-zag with a loose end on top and two mountains and a loose end on the bottom and two mountains.

Step 2. Hold the folds together at about the center and pull one of the loops down, and bend it as shown. There will be one "loose end" and one loop at the top.

Step 3. Bend, like a bow, to create shoulders.

Step 4. Wrap around the bulk at the center once or twice. Pull the rest of the length down and fold up to form a loop. Now there will be three loops at the bottom.

Step 5,6. Pull the top "loose end" down (now there is only one loop at the top) and neatly wrap the "loose end" around the bulk of the wire above and below the shoulders. Wrap tightly and neatly like a slinky.

Step 7,8. Twist the three bottom loops.

Step 9. Twist all three loops together.

Step 10. Arrange the three bottom loops in a triangle.

Now the armature is ready to mount to a board with three screws.