Sculpture - Jack Russell Terrier

Art Experimentation - Paper Clay Model Horse

Paper Clay model horse. Yes, you read that right. Paper clay? Ah, sounds, interesting...
Well, it is. And this, being my first ever experimentation with paper clay (take note, not paper mache), I figured it deserved some attention. Considering also, that this is my first.... show a little sympathy for the way it turned out. (Nah, it was actually pretty good for 1st attempt.)

As for the clay made of paper, I found this recipe on the internet which used very simple ingredients like toilet paper and glue - and was thrilled with the results! It can be lump if not mixed properly, but when the mixture is right, it goes on/ molds beautifully.
So exciting! Be prepared to see more and more of these 'experiments' using paper clay, as I practice and learn by mistakes (as it goes) my own methods of creating masterpieces. I do, in future, intend to get a lot better at my sculpting art and actually start selling. Hopefully soon.

Shire Horse Model - Handmade, handpainted.

Actually, I think I should take this back to the beginning. To where I started. As I was fumbling about... trying to make something out of all the ideas whirling around.... and this is how it began..
(The original drawing outcut, prior to fixing up... note: I didn't trace this one. I think proportionally, the stomach area should have been longer, as well as perhaps the neck.)

All my lovely cardboard cutout pieces, as I began to create.... an armament and a base for my model. Hmmm. Do the legs stand up, or hide in close to the body... eventually I wedged cardboard between the legs and the base.

The armament covered - foil for padding, covers the cardboard layers and creates excellent base for moulding/sculpting onto. Also lots of sticky tape used at this point.

The same armament/foundation again, only this time it has been finished off with some wonderful layers of masking tape. Not only does it provide for excellent adhesive for the sculpting clay, but the masking tape actually adds padding where necessary. Yay!

During sculpting! This process took about 2 hours after I had made my clay, which took at least an hour also. All up, I think it would have taken quite a few hours (after painting/drying time) to complete this sculpture.

Top view also. This one took a lot of time to mold whist wet.

And now, for some completed photos after the long arduous work of painting. The painting process itself took a minimum of 5 coats of acrylic paint and much detail/photographic references. The completed horse is coloured/designed to look like a Black and White Shire Horse breed, complete with Shire Horse markings, colouration, body physique, docked tail, and characteristics.

Upcoming model repaints..

 Yes, this is the very same horse at the heading of the previous post. As I have clumped all photos of the past 4 weeks together, though, this one is more accurate of this model's current stage. Here this model is coated in 3 coats of grey base paint, and 4 coats of white... and he is also subject to a colour change... originally I intended to paint him dapple (hence white)... but I am thinking more that a rich, bright red and black bay will be more striking.

The same model in the last post, this one also is prepped and awaiting his first layer of colouration! Oh, the excitement... I still have not decided on a colour/range for this model, but I am thinking somewhere along the lines of a Chestnut/Palomino Quarter Horse type.

Again, the same model (as above) prepped and ready, other side view. From the original model, I kept only the mane hair, ditched the tail & forelock. I am debating removing this mane entirely, but for now it can stay. Painting around real hair isn't actually that easy.

Change of pace... as well as horses (which are by far the more popular model), I also collect and repaint dogs, of course, as they are my favourite species. This model is a Giant Schnauzer, probably going to be black or salt/pepper variety, realistic-looking.
Half painted here, undercoat visible.

On the subject of dogs... another miniature model. This one is really quite old, and has been collecting dust for some time. Originally felted, I repainted (without undercoat, I might add =/) this guy about 5 yrs ago. Now he is being undercoated and redone - realistically. Poor beggar.

- One of the 'raw' $1 horses I picked up recently. Still only the very first coat of colour, I intend this one to be a palomino of some kind - and likely a Quarter Horse or Stock Horse variety. Keep watching for this one.

One of my 'experiments', this dog (if it appears that way) was actually.... a goat. As its a miniature, I had a hard time shaping this one correctly, but it now (after much carving) takes the form of a Doberman Pinscher (in miniature) and will likely be painted as a Black and Tan (or correctly, with Red Rust points).

A cheap, sad looking, very bad anatomical little donkey model. Keep watching this one - I intend to make him a very adorable Welsh Mountain Pony.
There is hope for rubbish bin rescues....

Second side-view of Welshie to be. Don't let his horrible anatomy put you off - he will be adorable once completed.
I must say, the head is a bit offputting, however...

And, finally, another old repaint - covered in fluff. Ergh, poor thing. Yep, another repaint with no undercoat, and one I am not too proud of. Nevertheless, he shall be rescued, and may once again be a realistic canine.
Originally a Gordon Setter (as pictured here, before that he had a tail), I am not exactly sure what I will make him to be. Perhaps a Spaniel type would be more fitting.

First, to scrape of the fluff....