Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee

[garyjd]

Once most of the initial carving has been done I then go in and add more putty to the areas that really stand out.

 

[garyjd]

I still have to play with the face some more. It's difficult to get a likeness doing a relief type sculpture. In addition to trying to duplicate the shape of Lee's mouth, nose, eyes etc I have to also try to carve the planes of the face so shadows can fall across his face in the same manner as in the painting.

This picture may show more detail. I have tried to work in some subtle folds in addition to the few that stand out.

 

[garyjd]

Close up of the upper body.

 

[garyjd]

the files were used in a lot of the areas of the coat lapels and the sword belt.

I'll post more pictures once I get the Irish figure done that's on my Vbench unless I want to be tarred and feathered by a retired USMC Sgt. Major. ~Gary

 

[megroot]

Gary,

I find this amazing. Your sculpting is not from this earth. When you doing 3D figures or flats, it is just always great sculpting.
Chapeau.

marc

 

[KeithP]

Did you say this is your first flat? Wow!

How do you work so fast? :lol:

Keith

 

[IronMike]

We don't tar and feather in the Marine Corps. We usually slice and dice. :angry:

 

[Anders Heintz]

Awesome Gary!

Love how you approach it by carving instead of sculpting it like my self. I cant really draw, probaly not even trace so I have to go the route of sculpting it piece by piece so I dont loose sight of what Im doing.

Inspirational!

 

[garyjd]

Originally posted by IronMike@Dec 1 2005, 05:30 PM
We don't tar and feather in the Marine Corps. We usually slice and dice. :angry:

GULP.~Gary

 

[Jim Patrick]

Looks really good Gary . Looking forward to seeing this after you get that Irish fig done. That or your'e goose is cooked :lol:

Jim Patrick

 

[IronMike]

I'm kidding of course. I can't wait to see both pieces completed.

 

[garyjd]

Here's a one picture update on the Lee flat.

 

[Guy]

Looks great Gary. Have you enjoyed doing a flat?

 

[garyjd]

Originally posted by Guy@Dec 5 2005, 09:52 PM
Looks great Gary. Have you enjoyed doing a flat?

Guy, Thanks I appreciate it. Yeah I've enjoyed it very much and will be doing at least a few more portrait busts in addition to full figures.~Gary

 

[fsdesimone]

Gary, this is really, really cool to watch. Now think about those ancient craftsmen who did these kinds of projects using unforgiving materials like onyx:

Gemma Augusta
Gemma Claudia



Anyway, can't wait to watch this unfold. Great little project.

Francesca

 

[garyjd]

Originally posted by fsdesimone@Dec 7 2005, 01:09 AM
Now think about those ancient craftsmen who did these kinds of projects using unforgiving materials like onyx:

Francesca

Francesca, thanks for the kind words and the links, very cool stuff. I do plan on doing some 75-90mm full figures, after I get a few more busts under my belt. It's a totally different approach to sculpting for sure and have a little bit of experience with drawing comes in handy.~Gary

 

[garyjd]

I have finally finished the flat bust of Lee. It would have been done sooner, but other projects and the holidays slowed things down. I enjoyed doing this piece a lot. For me it was like drawing, but with sculpting tools, if that makes any sense.

 

[garyjd]

I guess the likeness is fair. I find a lot can be done with paint, so I concerned myself with getting the basic contours of the face as close as possible.

 

[garyjd]

The only part I may alter a bit is the shoulder strap on the epaulet.

 

[garyjd]

Here's a slightly angled view of the piece. It has a backing of sheet plastic, which I epoxied to the piece and then cut out to give it some strength. I may spray some gray primer on it so I can clean up the odd tools marks.