Creature Sculptures

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 4:25 pm

Why I here you ask, well here goes.

I've always been quite a creative person, and this manafests itself in sculptures/models generally made from blutack or similar. Anyway I'm currently working on a project with a local charity and one of the people we're working with happens to have good contacts with people within the animation industry, Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks etc, and for those of you with kids that like bob the builder, he knows one of the guys who animates for that.

Anyway Doug, the guy the charity and I are working with has just been on a trip to America, where he met amongst others, a guy who I believe is a paleontologist, (and I can't spell that lol) who works with people from the aforementioned companies on the movement etc of the animals they want to create and animate, along with one of the top animators from disney whose worked on everything from Aladin and the lion king, to finding nemo and bolt, for anyone whose seen those.

Doug had taken some photoes of some of the creatures I'd created, and decided to show them to these people, and then recorded their reactions to them.

To say I was surprized by their reactions would be an understatement. The animator from Disney stated that I had an obvious talent, and that he was definitely impressed, and the paleontologist guy stated that they were as good as any he'd seen created by the people he worked with, along with commenting that if I was in his area, he'd want me to teach his son's to sculpt like that....That was before Doug decided to tell them that I was in fact registered blind, to which they were apparently astonished, their words, not mine.

Good thing it was a recording, cos I don't know what I'd have said if I was actually speaking with them, I'm not used to such compliments.

Now I've been ordered lol to create a triceratops, along with having to finish off this random humanoid/demon looking thing, (it hasn't got a name yet) I started earlier, so I'd better go and get on with it.

Anyway, apologies for rambling on, just thought I'd share my good mood.

Rahne · Post by **Rahne** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 4:28 pm

Wow, that's great! Congrats, you should be very proud

I would love to see some pictures of your work.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 5:07 pm

Uploading images isn't my strong point, so hopefully this will work.

Made using blutack (white). Those were 2 of the 3 that were shown in the USA. These are my own pics however, so apologies for the quality. I don't have the pics Doug took of them yet, and the third one that was shown, I haven't taken a pic of yet at all, will do that later on.

Wingless dragon.

Not quite a sabre-tooth

Misaya · Post by **Misaya** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:18 pm

They look really brilliant. Hard to believe they are made from blutack. Congrats. Hope it leads to good things for you:)

Valravn · Post by **Valravn** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:24 pm

Wow. Great work. Love the dragon!

Dallas · Post by **Dallas** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:42 pm

love the dragon!

and nice pic (disturbed right? gotta love them)
oh and nice signature

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:48 pm

Thanks.

I was going to give the dragon wings at one point, but decided that it didn't suit them.

Will have to attempt a tamaskan at some point won't I.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:56 pm

Dallas wrote:love the dragon!
and nice pic (disturbed right? gotta love them)
oh and nice signature

Thanks.

Yip, you gota love The Guy, and his band lol.

He's on my list of things to create. I mean a full bodied version like the animated one from the land of confusion vid.

Have you heard disturbed's new album yet?

Dallas · Post by **Dallas** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:01 pm

asylum? no, not yet. is it good? (ok no stupid question, we're talking bout disturbed after all..it has to be good lol)
got any fav. songs?

He's on my list of things to create

ohh definitely wanna see that one!

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:09 pm

Haven't listened to them all yet, but here's a couple I like so far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta_O9VR3LxI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_ZMmEFA4Q0

Dallas · Post by **Dallas** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:13 pm

both are pretty good
love the new album cover

HiTenshi16 · Post by **HiTenshi16** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 8:22 pm

How exciting, congrats, and love the work!

YouTube · Post by **Sylvaen** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:26 pm

Nice figures

I can't wait to see the triceratops when it's done!

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:38 pm

Thanks.

Ref the triceratops, that should be done within the week, at least thats what I'm aiming for, it will also be done in colour, so should look pretty cool.

Haven't decided wether to do it in traditional dino colours, or to go for something a little more, unusual, or a blend of the 2.

Ref disturbed, yip the new album cover's cool.

JulieSmith · Post by **JulieSmith** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 10:07 pm

Wonderful sculptures, if I tried that it would still look like a lump of blutack when I finished. All the best, its great when talent gets spotted.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 10:33 pm

Imo, anyone can make something, you just need to put your mind to it.

Hopefully next week I'll be able to convince some random members of the public to have a go at it also, amongst other things.

Tarheel · Post by **Tarheel** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 10:55 pm

Nice work. Don't forget, if you are in the USA, contact Tina and me ,and if your within driving distance to us, we can get together and talk Tamaskans.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 9:38 am

Yeah, if I ever get over to the US again, I'll def look you guys up.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:05 pm

Aka the humanoid/demon looking thing, (that doesn't have a name yet) I referred to an my other thread.

YouTube · Post by **Sylvaen** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:23 pm

Very cool

Misaya · Post by **Misaya** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:03 pm

Brilliant:)

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:22 pm

Thanks

Next one will be the triceratops, then I'll attempt a tamaskan. Apart from a werewolf, I've not done anything canine recently, so should be fun.

Blustag · Post by **Blustag** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:34 pm

They are brilliant....when are you doing the Tamaskan

HiTenshi16 · Post by **HiTenshi16** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 9:16 pm

I like! Very cool, looking forward to seeing your next creations.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 10:53 pm

Thanks

The tamaskan will be done asap. It'd be nice to meet at least one tam in the fur as it were before I do it, simply as I will be creating something based on a living creature, as apposed to something I've created in my imagination, but working from photo's isn't an issue, there's plenty to look at.

claireyclaire · Post by **claireyclaire** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 1:33 pm

where do you live Taz, there could be a Tamaskan close by?!

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 1:52 pm

I live in the north east, Stockton to be precise.

kendrrat · Post by **kendrrat** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:50 pm

my favorite is the saber tooth

and i cant WAIT to see the tamaskan!

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 7:24 pm

I'm going to start the tamaskan tomorrow.

The triceratops, a werewolf type creature, another wingless dragon type, and a cross breed, which has been determined to be of section 1 type, but not a pitbull, have been completed. There is another bigcat, though not a sabre tooth, which is still in progress, but that shouldn't take me long to finish off.

Will post some pics later on.

I'm also planning on completing or at least helping to complete an animation before the animex festival next year, I've got no idea what it will be involving, but you never know, if the tamaskan is done to your satisfactions, I may get it in there.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 3:32 pm

I'm not calling it a tamaskan, as I don't think it quite looks like one. Though by the time I'm finished with it, it will do.

Triceratops, needs some minor alterations.

Werewolf, again minor alterations required.

Ugly personified's / the gargoyle's new friend. Requires even more work than the wolf lookalike.

Rahne · Post by **Rahne** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 6:27 pm

Looks really nice

YouTube · Post by **Sylvaen** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 6:42 pm

Very cool!

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 7:20 pm

Thanks.

Think it looks anything like a tam yet?

HiTenshi16 · Post by **HiTenshi16** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 8:22 pm

Really cool!

YouTube · Post by **Sylvaen** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 9:17 pm

I think it's getting there... just the feet / coloring might need some work.
Maybe a side-on view would help to get a better overall idea.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 9:49 pm

Give me 5/10 mins and I'll upload a side view, after I've taken one.

The markings esp on the body need a lot of work, Im limmited with colour as that stuff only comes in 1 shade of grey, there're a few different shades of brown though. I've got a light fawn/sandy colour, tan, orangey brown, you can get a dark chocolate brown, but I've not replaced the last one as of yet.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 10:10 pm

Like I said, definitely a work in progress, in all areas.

So removing the issue of colour and markings for now, I can alter the latter easily, lets get the basic anatomy sorted.

blufawn · Post by **blufawn** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 10:12 pm

I think it looks a little front heavy.
big head, big shoulders......skinny waist

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 10:22 pm

Less muscle mass then?

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 10:54 pm

Any better?

JulieSmith · Post by **JulieSmith** » Sun Nov 21, 2010 8:34 pm

Wow thats really taking shape now, I am looking forward to seeing it finished.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:22 am

Keep the suggestions for alterations coming, it will be a representation of your dogs, and you know them better than I do.

It'll be taking a back seat for the next few days though, as I've got other things I need to work on, because typical me, I've got to leave everything till the last minute.

Hopefuly I'll get it completed before I start working on an animation a group of us will be doing, as otherwise it will be quite some time before you see the end product.

YouTube · Post by **Sylvaen** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 1:33 pm

After reading this topic, I was inspired to get out some modeling clay (that we've had lying around, unused for years) and I made a few small figurines... utterly hopeless though! I definitely don't have anywhere NEAR this level of talent - it looks / seems like it wouldn't be that difficult, but the reality is that just getting the legs / tail to stay ON is hard enough, let alone attempting to create any muscle definition! So you probably won't be seeing any photos (lol) but I am even more impressed after giving it a go myself.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 2:50 pm

Go on, post some pics, they won't be as bad as you think they are.

I know what you mean though, its not so much the legs and tails that drop off mine now, its the claws and wings, when needed. Grrr, its very annoying.

Its the reason why I like blutack so much.

1. Legs/tails/claws/wings do not randomly drop off, infact the issue can be getting them off once you've put them on.

2. Its recyclable, if what I'm creating doesn't work out, I can destroy it and start again, without ending up with a multicoloured blob that I've then got to find an alternative use for.

YouTube · Post by **Sylvaen** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 1:41 pm

haha well... maybe after I paint them they'll look a bit better... but they just seem very "amateur" in comparison. LOL

I used modeling clay, which is quite tricky to work with because it dries really fast but becomes easy to work with again if you add water - BUT - too much water and it just goes soft and mushy --> starts falling apart. Too little water and it becomes "cakey" and sticky. It's difficult to work with but I like the fact that it dries when it's finished, so I actually have an end "product" - but I can definitely see the appeal of blutack in comparison.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 3:27 pm

Oh yes, I do remember the joys of modeling clay lol.

You could try FIMO, you can cook it in a normal oven for around 30 minutes on a relatively low temperature, and it goes rock hard. You can then paint it if you want, though it does already come in a variety of colours and shades.

It comes in 2 types classic and soft. I personally prefer the classic, it maybe harder to work with but I find it keeps things like muscle definition a lot better than the soft type.

The reason I don't tend to use it as much now is that, they only supply the soft type round here, so instead I use plasticine for things I want to give colour to. I've found coating plasticine in a glaze helps to make it a bit more durable once I've finished whatever it is I've created.

International Tamaskan Forum

This is an International Forum for enthusiasts, owners, breeders, and all who are interested in Tamaskan Dogs.