Joints

Henson's creations weren't just 'dolls'. They weren't sculptures designed for ornamental value. These creatures were never meant to be static. They were made to move.

Jim Henson was a puppeteer and all of his characters were created with the intention of telling a story and being used by an actor. Whether on stage or behind the camera, his puppets had to move and interact with the world.

To make a moving puppet, I'm using paper mache as a base for the doll before adding a clay surface and then making a mould of the puppet in silicone.

To make my dolls move, I normally use bendy wire underneath the 'skin' so that the limbs can be bent into a pose and will stay in that position until moved again.

Henson used traditional puppeteer principles - flimsy felt that follows the hand's movements - and animatronic technology. His creatures always had an suggestion of realistic life thanks to these movements.

I'm going to have a go at making more realistic movement by creating joints at the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles.

Ball jointed? Starting with an easier method - hooks.