WIP black foot indian ( old buzzard ) help required

[nickk panther]

hi guys/girls

I'm sculpting a old black foot Indian . and I've decided to sculpt a bear on his head instead of a wolf and I've gone for a little bear more like a cub . what I need to know is their a reason I cant find a photo of them with a bear on their head. or is it the wolf was more fearsome to look at when in battle and that's why they chose them . could anyone please help
thanks in advance

 

[vorennaal]

Will be a great sculpt, looking forward the next move.

 

[Steve]

If you Google Blackfoot and bear mythology you find that the bear is one of the tribes power animals, firmly embedded in myth and tradition. They wore bear claw necklaces, so I do not think it improper to have a bear skin head dress. Personally I do not think an immature animal would be selected as the source of the cape as the bear is revered for strength and wisdom and a juvenile has neither. Just me though and cannot wait to see this!

 

[Jimbo]

I like the way this one is going, the face is looking good, I can't help you with the bear headdress but what Steve has said seems to make sense to me, maybe you might be better making it a full grown bear rather then a juvenile ( which might look a bit too teddy bear maybe?) or play safe and go for a wolfs head.
I like it so far.
Cheers
Jim

 

[Richie]

Hi Nick,
I think I would side with Steve's logic, use a mature bear. The only thing I could find besides illustrations is this photo from a Native American museum showing a bear headdress. Hope this helps.
cheers
Richie

 

[nickk panther]

cheers guys for the help. sorry for the delay in response as work gets in the way of fun . yea I think I will go with a mature bears head . as wolfs heads are quite common on sculpts of this nature. will keep you all posted as the bust progresses . cheers again for taking the time to respond .