Decide what your metal figure will represent. This can be as simple as finding a picture in a magazine or newspaper or a more complex approach of artistic expression. Decide what themes you want to include in your metal figure. Whether it is a simple representation of someone you know or a sculpture of an inanimate object, gather your thoughts about the project and brainstorm concrete concepts. Examples of this could be including a beaded jewelry theme or using lots of rectangular shapes in the figure.
Sketch out a basic concept of your ideas. Illustrating the figure before creating it can help save time in the building process. Things will probably change as you start making the figure, but having some goal in mind will make the whole process a lot more efficient and satisfying. Draw out the general shape you would like to form and any specific components you desire. Don't worry if your sketch is not too specific. You want to have your ideas ready to be used later on in the project.
Gather materials to construct your figure. Metals can be procured from around the home to begin with. Tin cans, paper clips and aluminum foil may be useful in creation. Purchasing metal parts from a store may also be a good idea for more fancy and artistic metal figures. Wire art is a common and exciting field for which a lot of supplies can easily be purchased. Sheets of metal are sold in paper thin stacks. These can be easily molded for projects and are sold at craft or hardware stores. Metal beads are also easily purchased at these retailers and provide a unique twist to any project. Besides materials, be sure to acquire pliers, scissors and any other tools you may need. Try to buy ones specific to metallic crafts as they will have special sharpness and design meant to make your job easier. Hot glue or Super Glue are valuable tools that can help seamlessly join pieces of metal.
Design and assemble your metal sculpture. This step requires all the planning to come into action. Start with a base of some sort and add onto it. This can help you get started if you feel like you are at a roadblock. Try to add color to the metal before attaching it. Not all accentuating elements need to be completely attached. If you have made a figure with a head and arms, adding a necklace can be as simple as placing a metal wire over the figure's head. Use the supplies you have available and don't be afraid to twist and mold the metal to your liking.