Geospiza fortis' Animal Models

^Thanks.
Does anyone know if the caribou has one or two forward 'sweeps' on the antlers? I gave mine one like the Schleich model, but I can't quite make out the reference photos of the real animals I've been using.

Geospiza fortis wrote:

^Thanks.
Does anyone know if the caribou has one or two forward 'sweeps' on the antlers? I gave mine one like the Schleich model, but I can't quite make out the reference photos of the real animals I've been using.

I guess it depends on what you mean as well as the subspecies and individual animal. In a normal healthy bulls the southern populations have larger antlers then northern populations, in fact as a proportion to size they have the largest antlers to body size ratio of any deer and the second largest antlers (second only to the moose) in the world. Each antler has two parts an upper and a much smaller lower part. I'm guessing you are talking about the lower parts when you say "sweeps", and there are two, one per antler. Since your model has a southern form, there is a very common growth pattern where these lower parts actually touch and being such fast growing, fuse together, forming a single piece in large adult males. With that pattern you could make a figure with either separate or a single lower antler and it would still be anatomically accurate.

Welcome here! Such beautiful work you have, I love the penguin!

Thank you animalluvr, for the compliments. Thanks to Phil, as well for the information. My antler not attatched to the forward bit is having stability problems, but I guess if the two sides are fused together in front, the connection would strengthen it. Two birds with one stone.

I always called the "sweeps" shovels, and I think that's the correct term though I may be wrong. Anyways, yes they have two shovels on the front of their antlers, though they can be very differently shaped, not always symmetrical.

Fortis, I think the penguin you made is wonderful !    
The pose, the wings, the fold over the feet , which made me think it was a male with an egg .

Perhaps I am a bit weird, but I like a model to be just as YOU see it, and not neccesarily completely accurate .
Most great artists did and don't make accurate models...look at Mona Lisa's smile   
To me it has enormous charm, and I think you should leave it as it is.
Then perhaps you can make one more later, if you want

Thanks and yes, I will leave his leg proportions as they are. I agree with what you said about accuracy. Although I like things 100% perfect, I don't give up on a model because of a difficult-to-fix error which gives it, as you said, charm. Jurassic Park is still my favorite movie although the deinonychus are bald and have broken wrists (two out of a myriad of problems).

Apologies for double-posting, but I have just completed the sculpting process of my second penguin.
Pics:
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What do you think? I used the feedback given to me on the first one to help in the making of the second.

Great!

You don't need to apologize for double posting    You are not alone  

Your Emperor penguin is far better than the previous one, I love it   

Thanks To the both of you. I'll probably start painting today or tomorrow. I also have my caribou ready to bake and I took pictures to show here before baking, but I am having technical problems with my computer. I'll post pictures here when it works.
Another question- does anyone know if I should paint the penguins black and add white or white and add black? I've been wondering this for a while. Thanks.

The new one looks great and has very realistic proportions! Congratulations!

I would do white and then black when painting. Great job, I love them both!

Thank you. I agree with the white/black idea. I just hope the paint isn't too thick for the patterning, but I guess if I airbrush the white it won't be much of problem. I'm still troubled with error code 43, but when I find a solution I will post pics of my caribou.  

EDIT: I went through a complicated process involving using another camera and another person's computer, and I have some photos to share. He isn't baked yet, but is just about ready to be. Here come the pictures:
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Is there any way he could be better or more accurate? I was also wondering if there is a way t remove the crumbs on his hair. If not, he's ready to bake.   

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

I always called the "sweeps" shovels, and I think that's the correct term though I may be wrong. Anyways, yes they have two shovels on the front of their antlers, though they can be very differently shaped, not always symmetrical.

That's what I always called them too. The reindeer/caribou uses them as the name implies to "shovel" away snow to reach feed.
Great job, he looks great. His legs could be a bit longer though.   

Yeah, we discussed the leg thing before. I don't like it, but because of the structure I cannot make them longer (or shorter, if I wanted to). In my defense, I think domestic reindeer have shorter legs. Anyway, Thanks. Since I don't see any glaringly obvious anatomical flaws, I guess he's ready to bake. I think I'll bake him tomorrow, and I hope I'm able to post pics here. Have a great holiday.
    

Geospiza fortis wrote:

Yeah, we discussed the leg thing before. I don't like it, but because of the structure I cannot make them longer (or shorter, if I wanted to). In my defense, I think domestic reindeer have shorter legs. Anyway, Thanks. Since I don't see any glaringly obvious anatomical flaws, I guess he's ready to bake. I think I'll bake him tomorrow, and I hope I'm able to post pics here. Have a great holiday.
    

No need to defend yourself, he looks great!   The legs on some reindeer are shorter.   

As I have said before about other models, each animal is unique, they do not all look the same. I love your reindeer.   Can't wait to see him painted!    

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

I love your reindeer.   Can't wait to see him painted!    

Thanks. I always like the way each individual is different, since it makes overall scale a lot easier. He will be painted soon. If I bake him tomorrow he should get his first coat of white, as my penguins are getting their second. Currently in the works are an identical pair of dolphins, for a friend and I.

Quote :

Is there any way he could be better or more accurate? I was also wondering if there is a way t remove the crumbs on his hair. If not, he's ready to bake.   

Can remove the crumbs carefully with the tip if a pin, wipe pin clean after each spot is fixed. Alternatively you can brush most off after baking, but I prefer the first method even though it's time consuming.

I LOVE your reindeer ! He is full of charm and personality   

The second penguin is lovely also, but I still find the first one fantastic   

Thank you for the info and comment. He's baked now. I have a question, though, now that he's baked, I tried to cut off the little bit of the wire which was running out of the feet, and There's still a tiny bit left. enough to hold him above the ground a little. I tried cutting this little bit off of the hind legs and they both split in half at the cleft in the hoof.   The front legs are still suspended above the ground. Is there a way to cut the wire so that it is smooth with the bottom of the foot? I can't paint him until I figure out a solution. Thanks.

Geospiza fortis wrote:

Thank you for the info and comment. He's baked now. I have a question, though, now that he's baked, I tried to cut off the little bit of the wire which was running out of the feet, and There's still a tiny bit left. enough to hold him above the ground a little. I tried cutting this little bit off of the hind legs and they both split in half at the cleft in the hoof.    The front legs are still suspended above the ground. Is there a way to cut the wire so that it is smooth with the bottom of the foot? I can't paint him until I figure out a solution. Thanks.

Instead of cutting try filing with a small metal file   

Nice reindeer too      

Thanks for the comment and assistance. I am only learning (as you can obviously see from my product), so I don't yet have a proper procedure for everything figured out yet.