When undertaking full size figure commissions, the principles are the same as modelling portrait heads and busts. In either case, David's approach is to start every sculpture by ensuring the armature on which the clay 'hangs' is strong yet flexible enough to take the sheer weight of the clay, and to allow the sculpture's essence of movement in its action to be successfully achieved.

Past commissions have included figurative pieces which have been in excess of life size, and involve the construction of 360 degree platforms to be built around the sculpture to allow the sculptor to reach the upper torso and head in addition to the main section of the armature. Because of the difficulty in moving such a structure, nearly all aspects of clay modelling, sittings with the subject and subsequent rubber mould making is completed in David's studio before the process of casting in bronze in the foundry.