The Metal Artist Forum

I've been wanting to do a true figurative human sculpture for a long time. The gargoyle was my first attempt, and although it turned out good in its own way, I wanted to do something more along the lines of my frog and dog sculptures. A local museum put out a call for artists wanting figurative sculptures, so I decided to make one for their show. Then they postponed the show until next summer Which is just as well because I wouldn't have been ready if they had kept to their original schedule.

The working title is "Jester". Or it might be "Fool". It might end up being something else, not sure yet. It'll be roughly 24" tall when it's done.

I have a scale drawing on my workbench to keep things proportioned right. I also tend to keep some quick sketches on my white board of the parts I'm working on at the moment, so I don't have to keep referring to my anatomy book

[attachment=14518] [attachment=14519]

I started from the bottom up (that's the old school computer programmer in me). Once I got the legs roughed out I had to pose them, of course.

[attachment=14520]

The arms and legs don't need an armature. The torso is sheet metal so it needs an internal framework. I am finding that it's easier for me to add armature pieces as I need them rather than trying to figure out the whole armature first. So here are the legs attached to the torso, with the back in place. I added more framework, then a front and sides, and filled in a few odd places where the legs attach to the body.

[attachment=14521] [attachment=14522] [attachment=14523] [attachment=14524]

I worked on the arms today and got them roughed out. It's easier to work on the components as separate pieces, then attach them. I'll add the hands next, then I can get the arms shaped better once I see where I'm going.

[attachment=14525]

Eventually I'll get to the head.

So far it looks like you are coming along nicely. And which ever way works for you is the way I would stick with it. In one of the sculpture books might have been Hale, said at some point you have to go with what works instead of what they tried teach you! or was that what I said to some body

All the parts look good separate and the still look good and appear to go to together as you are assembling them.

The only suggestion I will make Shawn is next time you are near the thrift shop or if you have an old wide belt or purse made of leather cut some pieces to protect the part of the sculpture in the vise jaws or and to cover the vises jaws. That way no accidental damage!

A real nice looking piece!

Actually I have some jaw guards but there's not much the vise can do to this surface other than add a little more texture

Wow Shawn.... great job so far. Those feet look great and that butt shot looks awesome too. (not that I'm into that or anything...) Very realistic so far! So are you adding and grinding as you go, or just keep adding?

I can't wait to see it finished!

Wow. I really admire the diversity of your work. I just don't have the guts (or patience) to step into a project like that. Guess it's cause I can't draw a circle without laying down a quarter first!

Great start to a neat piece. Keep up inspiring us to reach out to something new.

Bob

(06-27-2010 01:27 PM)Scratch Wrote: [ -> ]Wow Shawn.... great job so far. Those feet look great and that butt shot looks awesome too. (not that I'm into that or anything...) Very realistic so far! So are you adding and grinding as you go, or just keep adding?

I can't wait to see it finished!

Thanks guys.

Scratch, there are 2 ways to approach this kind of thing. One is to start with something smaller than you want and build it up with weld material. Or you can start with something somewhat larger than you want and shape it. I am doing some combination of both using material that I have on hand. So it's weld, grind, weld, grind etc. Of course the material is mostly straight (rod, pipe, etc.) so you have to create the curves and contours by adding material &/or carving it into the exact shape you want. I end up by splattering some texture onto any smooth parts then just hitting it with the flap disc to remove only the sharp points.

Shawn, that's awesome!
How do you get that texture?

Guns

(06-27-2010 03:20 PM)tommyguns Wrote: [ -> ]Shawn, that's awesome!
How do you get that texture?

Guns

Thanks tommyguns!

I use my MIG and just splatter it on, then go over it lightly with the flap disc.

That's pretty cool. I'm gonna try that someday.

Holy Cow Shawn
That is great! You make it look so easy, I have had a figure in the back of my head for some time now but have not pulled the trigger yet. Suddenly I'm inspired, beautiful job