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A Sculpting Dilemma
12 years ago
I am currently having a sculpting dilemma with my projects.
I currently have enough supplies to make 1 fursuit head blank. I will most likely wait until summer to do this as winter is bad for silicone curing at my house. However my idea brain likes to plan. With these materials I could make one of three things:
1. A magpie/crow base
2. A Hedgehog base
3. A chow dog base
These would most likely not be for sale as I seem to have trouble with consistency and sturdiness of my blanks at this time. I would only have myself to be pissed at if my own blank caved, but I would rather not have someone else pissed at me. Once I learn to do this better than maybe... but for now its all me.
Anyway the dilemma is between these three for multiple reasons.
Magpie/crow- I started this costume last summer and it is complete except for feet and a head. I was actually thinking about buying a blank from another person, but they are done with resin casting their blanks for good. I asked, but they are on permanent hiatus. So I could use this kit to make myself a crow blank.
...However... I also have enough materials to make this one head I want out of tarlatan (the method used for Avocado- while not ideal does hold up). This would be a one-shot deal at the bird. The only hitch would be that the beak would not be very smooth, and I would get one shot and thats it. However I have the materials for this, and this could be done in the winter if i can get someone to plaster my face... for the 4th time... god why cant anyone do this right...
Hedgehog base- Honestly I want a fursuit of my character and every year this seems more and more plausible. After seeing Laylabelle accomplish hers (even if through purchase- http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9051045/ ) I am emboldened to try. My thought of accomplishing the quills is now buying fake monkey fur and spiking it. Sealing each spike with a resin coating and leaving it to dry. Honestly its not terribly appealing, but compared to other thoughts its the most plausible. And I want a blend somewhere between cartoon and realism. I also feel that other hedgies in the community may want blanks too... this only worry's me because of my inconsistency on the lack of structural integrity of my blanks... but yet having to charge a lot for them.
This could wait another year methinks... but methinks also that in a year I may be a crazy working individual without even these scraps of "free time".
Chowdog base- I adopted a chowlion character from Snowy. He is beautiful and I thought about making a suit of him. However I cant seem to find a chow dog face base. I dont like sculpting canid heads, and honestly this would be a challenge. But its the third option that bounces out of my brain every once in awhile, that I could try to make the chow dog, start him now, and have him done in a year or so...>shrug<
Overall its just the thoughts bouncing in my head. If you have comments on your thoughts please enlighten me.
I currently have enough supplies to make 1 fursuit head blank. I will most likely wait until summer to do this as winter is bad for silicone curing at my house. However my idea brain likes to plan. With these materials I could make one of three things:
1. A magpie/crow base
2. A Hedgehog base
3. A chow dog base
These would most likely not be for sale as I seem to have trouble with consistency and sturdiness of my blanks at this time. I would only have myself to be pissed at if my own blank caved, but I would rather not have someone else pissed at me. Once I learn to do this better than maybe... but for now its all me.
Anyway the dilemma is between these three for multiple reasons.
Magpie/crow- I started this costume last summer and it is complete except for feet and a head. I was actually thinking about buying a blank from another person, but they are done with resin casting their blanks for good. I asked, but they are on permanent hiatus. So I could use this kit to make myself a crow blank.
...However... I also have enough materials to make this one head I want out of tarlatan (the method used for Avocado- while not ideal does hold up). This would be a one-shot deal at the bird. The only hitch would be that the beak would not be very smooth, and I would get one shot and thats it. However I have the materials for this, and this could be done in the winter if i can get someone to plaster my face... for the 4th time... god why cant anyone do this right...
Hedgehog base- Honestly I want a fursuit of my character and every year this seems more and more plausible. After seeing Laylabelle accomplish hers (even if through purchase- http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9051045/ ) I am emboldened to try. My thought of accomplishing the quills is now buying fake monkey fur and spiking it. Sealing each spike with a resin coating and leaving it to dry. Honestly its not terribly appealing, but compared to other thoughts its the most plausible. And I want a blend somewhere between cartoon and realism. I also feel that other hedgies in the community may want blanks too... this only worry's me because of my inconsistency on the lack of structural integrity of my blanks... but yet having to charge a lot for them.
This could wait another year methinks... but methinks also that in a year I may be a crazy working individual without even these scraps of "free time".
Chowdog base- I adopted a chowlion character from Snowy. He is beautiful and I thought about making a suit of him. However I cant seem to find a chow dog face base. I dont like sculpting canid heads, and honestly this would be a challenge. But its the third option that bounces out of my brain every once in awhile, that I could try to make the chow dog, start him now, and have him done in a year or so...>shrug<
Overall its just the thoughts bouncing in my head. If you have comments on your thoughts please enlighten me.
as far as hedge spikes I highly recommend looking into flexfoam from smooth-on. i used this to make hooves, horns and spikes it amaaaaazing stuff. looks solid for is like a stressball and keeps its shape. can be glued and sewn on.
chows are adorable and i agree nobody really make chow faces but couldn't you just buy a k9 blank and pad up the cheeks and sides of the snout to make it nubby looking?
I had considered the flexi-foam... but I was worried since it looks like you have to strap down the molds pretty tight (the one info video is not terribly helpful). I felt like I could not use a brush-on technique to make the mold and still use the expanding foam without wasting it. Is the foam really strong enough to sew through? I feel like it could rip. Or do you attach a fleece backing with glue?
I could consider that too, but I would want to chibify the snout for this particular character. So I may have to think about it more.
Thanks for all the advice!