Rhino and elephant

I was not entirely happy with my first Indian elephant so I reached out to Andrew (Elephas Maximus from LG, I'm not sure if he is here or not but look at his elephant sculpture post there) and he gave me some really good pointers.

Here is the photo of my original elephant and the re-drawn one that Andrew sent back to me after making changes to the picture (this is not a sculpture, just a modified drawing he did that was a tremendous help).
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So using his drawing I started making changes to the figure. At the same time I decided to make a scale model of an Indian rhino for the extension I am going to make to India. I have decided that the river I have done is way to small so I am adding an extension that will have a much larger water hole where the elephants I am making, hopefully there will be 3 when I am done, and the rhino will be.

I use Sculpy, and I mix the firm (grey clay) and the original (white) to make these. The firm is great for heavy or small parts that have to hold their shape, the original is too soft but if I mix it with the firm or use it on large parts that are well supported it saves me. I do use a core and wire frame for the skeleton and support but still the firm clay is twice the price of the original and does not have the support for heavy parts like the head.

Here is a couple of photos of the new sculptures, any comments are welcome, this is right before I put the figures in the oven to harden the basic shape, all of the detail will be added from this point and I'll hve to bake the figures one more time to finish them before painting.
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I am getting better with each figure, but it is so much easier to do large figures then the small ones I have on the dio, it just makes me realize how much talant Ana and others like Harriet, Anna and Ralf have. I am sorry that I couldn't include all of the talant we have here but I can't even count how many of the members here are artistic and willing to share their art and passion with all of us.

They are fantastic Phil! The elephant's ears, do you think they should be a little lower? It might just be the angle of the photo that's given me that impression. But they are looking excellent, the Indian rhino is going to look fabulous too.
Andrew's elephants are stunning aren't they, I just love his Asian elephant cow, I asked if he had finished her as I'd love to see her painted. I would like to sculpt one myself, for the Zoo dio I'd like to make. Is it Super Sculpey you are using?

Phill perseverance detail fascinates me.
Really a good idea to have change your fate as if elephant in the drawing and painting after cooking will fabulous
the second rhino is very good too.
Phill is always with joy that I admire your sculptures and dioramas,
Your imagination is unparalleled thank you for sharing this adventure.

luke

Fantastic, Phil !!!!!

Your models look SO great, and they are completely special !
I enjoy your pictures immensely.
Ha, ha it makes my fingers tickle to make something myself, but I am afraid I do not have that gift at all.
You artists must praise yourself very lucky indeed.

Please keep showing us how it proceeds, Phil

Here is a photo of the rhino, I have added texture and began the painting.
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Andrew's updated elephant/drawing on the photo looks terrific! If you can make that figure like his drawing, you will have a
good one for sure! The Indian rhino's nice as well, I think it just needs some more texture to the skin.
Keep up the GREAT work!

WOW! Amazing to see how it comes along. This is SO exiting

Thanks for sharing, I hope wee will se more of this "birth" of a rhino and an elephant !

Great job Phil!
Everyone that sculpts by him- or herself seems to get better and better with every model!

They are going to look awesome on the diorama. Can't wait to see them finished.

They are absolutely awesome!

They are absolutely stunning!

Very, very nice model of the indian elephant.
The figure is well made.
Congrats

I think the original elephant looked amazing, the head and ears looked amazng. The rhino is also ver good, I love the texture you added.

WOW! Amazing! Cant wait to see the elephant when its done!

oooohh!! Just fantastic!!

I cannot wait to see the diorama when it is complete! How long does it normally take to create such a masterpeice?!

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

I cannot wait to see the diorama when it is complete! How long does it normally take to create such a masterpeice?!

It mostly depends on how much detail and time you spend on one. I have worked on the African diorama for almost 3 years and it is still not finished but in between African scenes I work on the Indian dio which has been another long term project.

Individual items also take differing times, for instance the banyon tree I made took over 40 days to complete and I worked on it every day to finish, but other trees like a palm can be finished in under a week.

looking forward for the finishing works!