Here's Jasper

 Here the unfolding story of the making of the statue of a lovely Cocker Spaniel friend called Jasper.

First to get to know Jasper

Such an intelligent wise expression.

Look at the shape of the head after a haircut

The shape of the face changes with the movement of the opening mouth

Here some key views

What an aristocrat

Super pose

 Now after much measuring and study we have the design and then the making of the steel armature - that must hold up all the weight of the clay, but not show through the finished statue

The all important curve to the back

Firm fixing point at the base, that will fit into the body core

Drilled holes for fixing rods and leg wire

The challenging curve to the steel armature that will follow that curve of the neck and head - as Jasper is turned towards you on his left side.

The boards with their  counter sunk holes and the steel armature firmly bolted down. The long rods next to the armature will be the support for the inner frame of the body.

The materials for the next stages have been sourced and are ready to add the inner shape of the thorax and abdomen of the Jasper statue.

More designing and planning to make sure all the body shape will be correct from all angles.

Here some more lovely views of the original to spur on the Sculptress!

Below a good view of the Jasper Statue armature from the side  

Two views of the curve of the neck 

This is the mesh for the core of the body shape and the wire one of those that will hold it in place and others will form part of the leg wires.

The wire for the front and back legs is put into position and fixed, and then the wire for the structure of the core and to hold the mesh.

The mesh is replaced and the body core developed using resins.

 First clay and sessions to build up the body core

At each stage  the clay must be added within the outline and up and out towards the profile.  

So now I am looking out for the top-line and researching into the position of the shoulders and hips.

Also thinking about the insertion of the wire to support the head and the angle of the head.

We have the angle that Jasper has turned his head and have fixed in the armature wire that will support the clay of his head

First Clay  addition to head  and filling out the body

Steady progress through the Pterodactyl stage!

Nearly built up to the topline and the line of the chest. Already building out some of the width profile.

Steady progress on the width

and developing the shoulders

Building up the widths

More work

Shoulders are starting to take shape.

Widths being developed

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Then study of key articulation points

The base layer of the legs will now be added ... and soon the head 

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Body  contours filling out on both sides and the head too is developing.

Development too of the breadth of Jasper

The head is now taking shape and we have a Dog sculpture in progress!

More on the width and front paws

and we can see how the spaniel look starts to come with the shape of ear and head.

Jasper Clay statue is in his new home and work continues on the eye set and head, his overall shape and widths

His left side is catching up

Almost ready for all the Jasper 'hair and character'