First real atempt at scuplting

[tigger]

Hi Guys
this is my first real attempt at sculpting. The figure is a US Navy Carrier firefighter in 1/32 scale(54mm). I am building him and another 6 figures for a diorama I am building. He has been made with Magic sculpt over a wire armature. I copied a face from another figure and with some fine subtle detail changes I transplanted that onto the head which I adapted and heavily modified from a copy I made of the orignal head. All that neds doing now is to get feedback and possibly cast him.Constructive criticism welcome?

John

 

[neill]

Excellent work, particularly for your first attempt. wish I had that ability... most of my first attempts resemblea cross between 3D stick figures and "the Blob"

Not familar with the specific gear so I cannot commenton your accuracy. Only comment was from the ear the lower left pant left looks less full thenthe right... could be the angle or the action, but that all I noticed on first look.

Kepp up the good work! look forward to seeing the other figures and the finished Diorama.

Neill

 

[kenb]

hi john

thats good work your doing there and you have got a good sense of urgency
in the movment of the of the figure.detail and drapary is working well.
one critique looking at front and back photos only other profile look ok I would suggest is that you have a look at the line from hips through
to ankles it may be that the knees may benifit from some adjustment .

I would suggest moving these closer together if possible though this would mean
quite alot of work ie ajusting at crouch you may be able to get a desirable result by moving the ankles outward.

See what the other guys reckon

hope your not discourged as this is looking to be very promising work
cheers ken

 

[Dan Morton]

Great sculpting and especially so for a first attempt! The pose, drapery and folds in the clothing look fine. I'm not at all familiar with what this guy should look like. Can you post a photo that you used for reference?

I think I'm with Ken. Don't know if you did this but I just stood up and "posed" like your figure. My ankles naturally bent inward as he suggested and my toes pointed outward. That feels natural. With the bend in the knees, it creates kind of a spring with the leg muscles set to resist the water pressure.

All the best,
Dan

 

[mvonb]

John, I too am in at the deep end with sculpting. Impressive for a first piece, and inspirational for me. Somehow, I think my first effort won't turn out so good.

Keep it up

Martin

 

[tigger]

Hi Guys
I really appreciate the constructive not destructive nature of your comments. I have taken heed of the observations and done the following.
1 marked in redis the orignal figures pose
2 marked in Blue I moved the left (of the figure, Right as you look at it) leg straighter.then twisted both ankles to have the toes pointing more outwards.
2. in yellow filled in the resulting gaps and filled the right inner leg to give the impression of a slightly straighter leg here are the uncoloured and colour coded firure. Hopethis solves the issues raised?

The figure isnot actually based upon one single photo. it is a composite of many pictures which I have adapted to the pose I wanted.

John

 

[kenb]

hi john thats looking much better

im thinking aloud here

i edited your earlier photo in coral to see the effect of moving his right foot outward

this may help futher but would effect the balance of the piece to the detriment of his apperance of bracing himself re pressure of hose becoming more upright

some possible workarounds could be

move foot back by bending at knee remembering to lift heel slightly

-this may not work re balance in side view .

raise ground work under foot proberbly no go re flight deck


subtly shorten right thigh and shin & lengthen left leg.

lattores antioch knight demonstrates this well

a combination of all of these may be the best solution

or leave well alone I might be talking crap see what the other guys think



btw re carrier photo looks like their day job s temping as the widow twankys
panto horse

keep it up
cheers ken

 

[Dan Morton]

John - Much improved as far as I'm concerned! The stance looks balanced and "springy" to me. Thanks for posting the pic of the Navy fire suited prancers.

Question - Why did you go with goggles and not a visor?

The painting on the suits could pose some problems because you want them to be very silvery, but not really reflective. That's one for the painters - I'm not one.

This is a very nice figure to start with!!

All the best,
Dan

 

[tigger]

Hi Guys
thank you very much for the support with this one
Dan

Why did you go with goggles and not a visor?

I have several photo's of tese guys who are on standby ready for the call waiting with the Cranium and goggles. They don't always sit around with the visor on, I wanted to portray a sense of urgency as you should see from the pictures of the diorama. I will do the visor on the Mule which I will convert to a fire truck.

The painting on the suits could pose some problems because you want them to be very silvery, but not really reflective

I wil use Alclad II laquer sprayed from the airbrush > this should give the correct sheen,I Hope!
Ken

leave well alone

Yes I think I might just do that. I agree with what you suggest and can see where you are comming from but I really must move on the the next figure. I am now a lot happier with him following the really useful advice given so far. Please bear inmind this is my first atempt!!
For the record I have attached a couple of pictures of the diorams so far. This was based upon a real photo of the aircraft depicted having gone over the side of the carrier . I don't know any more on the story but suffice ton say I chose to ellaborate on the idea and make the diorama which will be going into a magazine article soon. model Aircraft

Hope you like it so far?
John

 

[kenb]

wow john that is really impressive a smile came to my face as I scrolled down through the pics

seeing the figure in context yeah press on

I can see those guys peering over the edge ohhhhh [expletive] !

are you anywhere near faversham kent we would love to see this at one of our

model meets?

its great

cheers ken

 

[nagashino]

Blimey John - that's a diorama and a half, mate. So that's what you were hinting at at Yeovilton!

I didn't know you could sculpt!

Good stuff!

Keep smiling :lol:

Cheers, and see you up t'road

Phil

 

[Dan Morton]

Terrific!

All the best,
Dan

 

[tigger]

Thank you for the comments and encouragement guys!

are you anywhere near faversham kent we would love to see this at one of our

model meets?

Sorry Ken I am in sunny Devon A bit far to come to the club but thank you for the invitation though. I plan on this being published in the magazinehttp://www.modelaircraftmagazine.com/ and hopefully showing at the IPMS Nationals this year.

Phil

So that's what you were hinting at at Yeovilton!

I didn't know you could sculpt!

I acn't sculpt :lol: I just had a go. Yes I was a little cagey wasn't I? Now you know the big idea. If I can get permission I will put the picture of the real incident up here some time
John

 

[darkeye]

hey tigger, i found an old piece of mine the other day and let me say, its not as good as that!


regards==timo

 

[tigger]

found this picture on the web of the incident the diorama is based upon

John

 

[Ray]

John,
Thanks for the post. Who say's you can't sculpt? Don't beleive it these are plenty nice and not because they are a first effort either.

Ray

 

[yeo_64]

WOW, John, GOOD STUFF for a FIRST sculpt !!! Looking forward to the finished product. Cheers !
Kenneth .