Showing posts with label polymer clay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label polymer clay. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Friday, January 9, 2009
Struck by the 'Corgi Cupid'
I couldn't resist and I did it again...another corgi valentine figurine. This puppy has been struck with an arrow of luuuuuuuuuuv by the Corgi Cupid and now he's in serious puppy love.
Shoot, he's even made a little puppy valentine for his one true wuv.
I dunno...with all this cuteness goin' around, I might have to break down and watch a Halmark movie or something. I just feel all warm and fuzzy! Oh wait, that's the dog laying at my feet.
If you're interested in some puppy love of your own, you can check this fellow out on ebay for the next 3 days. After that, he'll move to my etsy store- if he's still here that is.
Shoot, he's even made a little puppy valentine for his one true wuv.I dunno...with all this cuteness goin' around, I might have to break down and watch a Halmark movie or something. I just feel all warm and fuzzy! Oh wait, that's the dog laying at my feet.If you're interested in some puppy love of your own, you can check this fellow out on ebay for the next 3 days. After that, he'll move to my etsy store- if he's still here that is.
Friday, January 2, 2009
From Progress to Completion
When I left off this morning the basic sculpture was complete, minus a few bits of fur here and there. So I added those in, fired it up, and began laying down a base coat of paint.
This is just a rough color, something close to the actual photo. Later on I'll add a few extra hits of tone here and there. Next came the large black areas. I like to use a glossy acrylic when painting with black. It just looks 'perty'.
Now onto the face. I dry brushed in some of the facial markings to give me an idea of where things were going to end up.
At this point I usually get a little concerned that it's looking more like a freakish ash tray than a dog, so painting the nose helps calm me down a bit.
Okay, so where are we? Oh yeah! Next I start getting serious about the facial detail.
When I'm satisfied with the head I move on to adding tonal details to the rest of the body and the VERY LAST thing I do are the eyes...
And now, the FINAL piece. Well, for the moment anyway. I'm not sure if I want to add tooth details yet...and in a couple days I'll see other details I need to add or change. But this is pretty much it. :)
Time wise, this fellow took about 10 hours from start to finish. I was way off on my earlier measurements- my ol' trusty ruler says he's 10" from tail to paw and 5 1/2" from elbow to ear tip. I'd say he weighs maybe 3 pounds. In a couple days I'll add some felt to the bottom and he'll be ready for his new shelf.
Well, thank ya'll for stickin' with me through these posts. I know they're SUPER long, but I hope you enjoyed the work progression.
Tomorrow I'll tell you a bit more about the subject dog. ;)
This is just a rough color, something close to the actual photo. Later on I'll add a few extra hits of tone here and there. Next came the large black areas. I like to use a glossy acrylic when painting with black. It just looks 'perty'.
Now onto the face. I dry brushed in some of the facial markings to give me an idea of where things were going to end up.
At this point I usually get a little concerned that it's looking more like a freakish ash tray than a dog, so painting the nose helps calm me down a bit.
Okay, so where are we? Oh yeah! Next I start getting serious about the facial detail.
When I'm satisfied with the head I move on to adding tonal details to the rest of the body and the VERY LAST thing I do are the eyes...
And now, the FINAL piece. Well, for the moment anyway. I'm not sure if I want to add tooth details yet...and in a couple days I'll see other details I need to add or change. But this is pretty much it. :)
Time wise, this fellow took about 10 hours from start to finish. I was way off on my earlier measurements- my ol' trusty ruler says he's 10" from tail to paw and 5 1/2" from elbow to ear tip. I'd say he weighs maybe 3 pounds. In a couple days I'll add some felt to the bottom and he'll be ready for his new shelf.Well, thank ya'll for stickin' with me through these posts. I know they're SUPER long, but I hope you enjoyed the work progression.
Tomorrow I'll tell you a bit more about the subject dog. ;)
Work In Progress
There are a few personal side projects that I've been wanting to work on for some time now, so I thought what better way to begin the year than by doing just that.
This track of progression will be a little new to me, as I don't usually photograph my work indoors or before it's completed. My photog skills are still a work in progress too!
Ok, so onto the work! I don't want to get too detailed with the description of this piece just yet as it's a personal gift for someone, so forgive my lack on background info to start.
This is a German Shepherd Dog and the finished work will be aprox. 8" long by about 4 inches high or so. I'll have to get some better measurements- I'm just eyeballing it.
Since I didn't think to begin the progression shots from the beginning, I'll 'type' you through the steps up until this point. First I built an armature base using newspaper and wire for the bulk of the body. Polymer clay doesn't fire up well in big hunks. You'd have to bake it a pretty long time and the end result would be surface burning and cracking. I think it would probably effect the strength/durability integrity of the clay as well.
Next, I began covering the body with clay piece by piece. I don't use a pasta machine to roll out the clay to a certain thickness to cover the whole thing in one fell swoop. All my work is done by eye and hand because in nature you'll find A LOT of variations- nothing is ever perfectly symmetrical. 'Least that's the way I see it.
After everything is covered I drop in the limbs and finally begin work on the head. The eye and ear positions are extremely important as they lend themselves well to exhibiting personality. After I'm satisfied with head position I begin placing bulk fur around the neck and back and add some texture, which is where the photo progression starts.
In my next move this fellow will be getting a little more bulk fur and some other details I'll show in the next post.
This track of progression will be a little new to me, as I don't usually photograph my work indoors or before it's completed. My photog skills are still a work in progress too!
Ok, so onto the work! I don't want to get too detailed with the description of this piece just yet as it's a personal gift for someone, so forgive my lack on background info to start.
This is a German Shepherd Dog and the finished work will be aprox. 8" long by about 4 inches high or so. I'll have to get some better measurements- I'm just eyeballing it.
Since I didn't think to begin the progression shots from the beginning, I'll 'type' you through the steps up until this point. First I built an armature base using newspaper and wire for the bulk of the body. Polymer clay doesn't fire up well in big hunks. You'd have to bake it a pretty long time and the end result would be surface burning and cracking. I think it would probably effect the strength/durability integrity of the clay as well.
Next, I began covering the body with clay piece by piece. I don't use a pasta machine to roll out the clay to a certain thickness to cover the whole thing in one fell swoop. All my work is done by eye and hand because in nature you'll find A LOT of variations- nothing is ever perfectly symmetrical. 'Least that's the way I see it.
After everything is covered I drop in the limbs and finally begin work on the head. The eye and ear positions are extremely important as they lend themselves well to exhibiting personality. After I'm satisfied with head position I begin placing bulk fur around the neck and back and add some texture, which is where the photo progression starts.
In my next move this fellow will be getting a little more bulk fur and some other details I'll show in the next post.
Friday, December 5, 2008
On the 5th day of Christmas...
...my true love gave to me...a Jaaaack Russel Terrierrrr!
And a cockapoo for good measure.
And a cockapoo for good measure.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Holiday Meltdown
Okay no, it's not what you think. I'm not having a mental meltdown over the upcoming holiday, just feeling a little mushy and melty 'cause I'm listening to Harry Connick Jr sing 'Baby It's Cold Outside'. Yup, definitely NOT cold in here!
I had a really great day yesterday in terms of getting a lot of work done. I finished up this cake topper for an agility competition dog who is 'retiring' in December.
And worked up this cute little hairless guinea pig. Who woulda thunk something without fur could be so darn cute!
I had a really great day yesterday in terms of getting a lot of work done. I finished up this cake topper for an agility competition dog who is 'retiring' in December.
And worked up this cute little hairless guinea pig. Who woulda thunk something without fur could be so darn cute!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Wednesday!! Hurray!
Here's three plus one for good ol' hump day! :)
And just 'cause this seems to be my week for posting videos...
And just 'cause this seems to be my week for posting videos...
Friday, October 31, 2008
Honey! I think the dog is having an identity crisis again...
Got a commission awhile ago from a nice lady who bought my 'Lab Scientist' figurine and wanted something else goofy to go along with it. And so I give you 'Trekie Dog'.
In other late breaking news: Merri-Rose has been officially recognized as Nermal. The name change was nessecary due to the inability of her owner to come up with goofy aliases of her former name. Nermal, if you are familar with Garfield comics, is the annoying grey kitten that comes over to Garfields house from time to time. Garfield can't stand Nermal because he[Nermal]is so infatuated with how cute he is and only wants to play, usually with a ball of yarn. In this case, life truly imitates comic strip.
And on a side note, for all you leaf watchers out there: here's a little taste of our autumn leaves along with some Bach to watch while you sip your morning coffee. You really can't get anything better than Bach and coffee.
In other late breaking news: Merri-Rose has been officially recognized as Nermal. The name change was nessecary due to the inability of her owner to come up with goofy aliases of her former name. Nermal, if you are familar with Garfield comics, is the annoying grey kitten that comes over to Garfields house from time to time. Garfield can't stand Nermal because he[Nermal]is so infatuated with how cute he is and only wants to play, usually with a ball of yarn. In this case, life truly imitates comic strip.And on a side note, for all you leaf watchers out there: here's a little taste of our autumn leaves along with some Bach to watch while you sip your morning coffee. You really can't get anything better than Bach and coffee.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
A New Arrival
In an effort to motivate myself to update this blog on a regular basis, I've decided to begin writing about the everyday stuff as well as my art work. SO...to kick things off, meet Merri-Rose!
Merri-Rose was a surprize guest who arrived Monday night. She crossed a busy road, in the dark no less, and ran right up to me! Well, what was I to do I ask you? Apparently nothing short of giving her a name and a home. Well, she's cute, and we can always use another mouser around the barn. Besides, Sass(the feline matriarch) is getting older and she and Bea(another priss-pot cat) need someone to keep them on their toes.
This cold wind sure is blowing in the unexpected!
Speaking of wind...the currents brought some of the most beautiful hot air balloons over to the house Saturday night. I don't think I've ever seen so many participate in the rally before. It was great!
Just finished up a commission this weekend as well. A small figurine of a chihuahua puppy resting on some shoes. :)
Merri-Rose was a surprize guest who arrived Monday night. She crossed a busy road, in the dark no less, and ran right up to me! Well, what was I to do I ask you? Apparently nothing short of giving her a name and a home. Well, she's cute, and we can always use another mouser around the barn. Besides, Sass(the feline matriarch) is getting older and she and Bea(another priss-pot cat) need someone to keep them on their toes.This cold wind sure is blowing in the unexpected!
Speaking of wind...the currents brought some of the most beautiful hot air balloons over to the house Saturday night. I don't think I've ever seen so many participate in the rally before. It was great!
Just finished up a commission this weekend as well. A small figurine of a chihuahua puppy resting on some shoes. :)
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