The Shape Of `Things' To Come (Part 3)

So the sculpt has been fired for around 45mins (I think it's 25mins per 6mm thickness or something like that). It's looking smoother, lost the 'ball bearing effect' but not too smooth.

I've left some marker points on the 'skin' to enable me to see where I can start carving some fine details into it and shape the musculature and textures, etc.

Really looking forward to getting it into shape.

Till next time,

cheers,

Si

The Shape Of 'Things' To Come! (Part 2)

Okay, here's the second stage of the sculpt of the beast. I added a little tin foil to certain areas, like the chest and flanks of the armature to give it a solid base for what will be the heaviest part of the figure. (Hopefully allowing a cavity will create a lighter sculpt).

Applying the clay is quite laborious, kneading and rolling tiny 'balls' onto the armature, ensuring that there's adequate adhesion and that there's a reduced risk of cracking when the finished sculpt is fired.

Here's some images of stage 2, looks like a ball bearing gargoyle at the moment, but the basic anatomy has been shaped. Stage 3 will be where I use a little lighter fuel, or linseed oil to smooth out the surface and then I can add detail (my favourite part of the process).




So far, its going as planned (hope that's not a kiss of death! Lol!)

Enjoy the pics.

Si

The Shape Of 'Things' To Come! (Part 1)

Hi All, the Primo Sculpey's arrived, I've dug out my sculpting tools and dusted off the sculpt-cells in my brain. (Even let my fingernails grow a little, extra tools right there!)

Here's the first step in creating my maquette of the beast from my ogn Unbelievable. Sculpey's a brilliant clay to work with (and Primo's the finest of the range to work with I find), but you can't just sculpt away without making sure that your creation's skin, guts and muscles stay in one place when it comes to firing/baking your masterpiece.















That's why its a good idea to initially make an armature (or wire skeleton), for this I use .50mm garden wire. This wire's quite sturdy and flexible enough to allow you to pich and bend using a good set of pliers. The final armature took around 45minutes to an hour to make.

From the images, you can see I've also used a wooden base, (the armature isn't fixed to it yet) its a good idea to fix your armature in place using some fine drill holes and wire to form a firm hold and a good base. (I'll be doing this later, before applying any clay).
Now those of you who've been following my progress on Unbelievable will have a fair idea of what my beast looks like, so I hope that the finished piece won't disappoint or prove to be a spoiler for the book, its up to you to decide if you want to see it here first! Lol!

I haven't sculpted anything this detailed for a little while so you'll have to bare with me.

I'll be posting some more images as I progress with this piece right up to the final paint and I hope to do the same with a bust I'm planning of another Unbelievable character.

Until next time,

Si

“Your life is a piece of clay, don't let anyone else mold it for you.”

There's Something In The Words!

I'm conscious that I'm a little lax in updating my blog lately, being hard at work on more pages of 'Unbelievable', so for those following, here's a quick update:

I recently received the first of two forewords for my graphic novel, from one of my heroes Nick Redfern. Nick is the author of many books on the worlds of the paranormal and the unexplained, including: There's something in the Woods; Man-Monkey; Strange Secrets; and A Covert Agenda. (One of Nick's blogs, which boasts some of my artwork can be found here: Manbeast UK

To say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement, here's a brief excerpt,

`Simon has skilfully weaved together a swirling tale of magical, Gothic, cryptozoological and sinister proportions that rather reminds me of a perfect combination of those classic old Hammer horror-films of the late 1950s and 1960s; The Hound of the Baskervilles; Primeval; Scooby-Doo; The Secret Seven; and a good old adventure tale of the type that are sorely missed today. And all told in Simon's own unique style and brand, too, of course.'

I'm still smiling.

And in other news, I'll shortly be uploading some pics of the early stages of two 'Unbelievable' sculpts I'm working on, a maquette of 'Rax' and a bust of `Cracky'.

Till next time,

'Don't turn around,
Don't make a sound,
And never,
Ever.....
RUN!'

Heheh!

That's Life.

Today I found out that one of the local schools in my area is starting weekly life drawing classes soon. I've always found these to be invaluable as an artist as you just can't beat drawing from real life models to get a good grasp on form and anatomy.

Here are a few sketches from a class I attended a while ago, enjoy.

`Don't Make A Sound, Don't Turn Around, And Never Ever.....'

...RUN!

Send in the `Para's!!!

Here's a little (bloody) taster of some illustrations I've done for a feature in Paranormal Magazine #41 on Occult Warfare by Nick Redfern (For fans of occult war there's also a chance to win an xBox 360 & a copy of Wolfenstein!)

http://www.paranormalmagazine.co.uk/2009/08/28/win-an-xbox-360-a-copy-of-wolfenstein



















Until next time,

Si