VIP#2 ENTRY

The VIP is the 'Visions in Putty' showcase. It is a chance for both experienced and beginning sculptors to create a uniquie figure within a theme, have it cast, distributed among participants, and critiqued. More information can be found at the following locations:

Sculpting list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/1listSculpting

Mini-Painter.net (home of VIP & VIC) at: http://miniature-painting.net/

Ironrook/Fortress Figures (doing the casting) at: http://www.ironrook.com/
 

So, on with Thomas' entry:

First, I'd like to explain that this was my first human figure sculpted from the ground up. Previously, I had done numerous conversions (many pictured on this site), and a few scratch built monsterous critters, but nothing like this.

The theme was Victoriana, and could include literary topics as well as historical. There were a few topics that interested me in this period. Several that I had considered were the Franco-Prussian war, the Italian Unification, or  Emperor Norton I of the United States. But one of my biggest interests has always been the samurai and Japan.

So, the figure I chose to do was a Tokugawa era handgunner. There is a reference picture at the bottom of the page.

Here are some pics of the work in progress. started off with the basic shape on the right. I probably made the ankle area too big at this point. The second photo shows the pleated pants, sandle straps, and eyes being worked on. You can see how the ankles got further out of control here. The left picture shows the nearly completed figure, with two shirts, a coat, and the face and hair completed.

Below are some shots of the finished figure, plus a separate gun. (Thanks to Jeff, aka Ironrook for the pics)


 

Here you can see some of the problems with the final figure. Among my own criticisms:

  • Still don't like the ankles.
  • Need practice smoothing the finish on the putty (I only used water on the tools)
  • Need to improve the overlaps between clothing layers
  • Not very dynamic (but I knew this in advance)
  • Screwed up the attempt to do the sandal bottoms onto the base.
  • Crisper edges on the clothing


Overall, I'm not completely unhappy with it, since it was my first real sculpt. I've already learned many lessons from it, and I am currently applying them to my next few figures. I am very interested to see how it turns out when cast, since I am unsure how certain things would translate. I think the VIP is a great idea for this, and for the chance to have some great sculptors critique my work. I look forward to the results.
 

UPDATE!

I received the complete set of VIP2 figures, including my very own first casting. I couldn't
resist painting it up right away, so here it is: