First stages, the making of the armature support and study of his images. Soaking in all that character and energy.
Supporting steel rod and base frame wire
Addition of supporting wires for legs and tail.
They are kept extra long intentionally - we need to build out the body, before the legs can come down in their right place and length. Don't be confused by the extra number of legs! You can see the extras are twisted round to provide more strength to the tops of the legs.
Using the key image as a backdrop to check the progress
Early build up of the first clay
All the clay and armature must fit within the final profile.
Even with this type of clay it is good to let it settle.
More time to study the character, conformation and musculature of the wonderful original.
Change to the position of the head - now a slight turn as in the image
Here the view of the head, turned. You can also see the depth of chest developing
This is a view slightly from the rear to show the turn of the head
The paws and tail wire are all covered now and ready for work.
The head is a little high, but that will be changed as work on the head begins
Here we are below, head adjusted and the muscles of back and flank added.
Ready now for the final details
Ears sketched on and paws ready for their detail, the lovely depth of chest and elegant strength of neck. His collar sketched in.
Using pins in key places to map the pose and the legs.
You can see the start of the base to hold the sculpture
The eyes are in, love those ears and work started on the face - teeth and nose next
Rear view developing the muscles
Study of muscles, skeleton and movement of hounds
Next more work on the legs and paws
Visit to the clients to gain advice and insight as to the details and the character of their lovely dog.
Intense sessions to continue with details and to make sure the pose and character are what the clients look for
Great Help
from those who knew this super dog best
More scissor action look to the spring of the back legs - leaping from a running gait
That collar with its stitching is on now and the buckle worked in
more to be done on tongue, teeth and toes!
details of the almond eyes and focused look
More and more work on paws
muscle tone improved and details of the pose finalised
The whole surface has been worked over again and again - and this will keep happening until the finish and details are achieved
The next few sessions will be spent on the fine details of the paws and areas not so easily seen - inside legs - with checks over the whole surface.
Teeth in place and the ears made finer
Fine details made to the paws
A slide show of the final clay sculpture of Carlos
Leaping into Forever
Here the show of the Bronze Dog Leaping Into Forever
