There are certain people and animal companions that are a real gift to us - and I have been privilege to make sculpture portraits that celebrate lives and become that special gift.
Often such portraits of unique Dogs are the gift for a special birthday and are a secret until the reveal....and here we are the making of a portrait head of a wonderful Poodle person.
Here the inspiration and next the study of the subject and his character.
A surprise present for a special birthday - A commission of a portrait sculpture of a much loved dog - the Poodle Porthos
Some of the key dimensions
The armature has been readied
The main side profile has been built up
and the ears sketched in as a reference
Next the key profiles are worked on - ears removed
to gain access to the cheekbones
Now we have all the hair detail to put in
First on the nose
Then the left side
The new ear flaps are made and just tacked on for reference
Next work on the coat detail on the tight side and up over the head
The appearance of the head will improve as I work on the ear detail and hair.
The expression of this lovely dog's eyes are beginning to develop.
It is rather dark in the studio today.
After more and more sessions on the left side and neck
There has been an intense time working ready to put the left ear in place and start to achieve its textures
Happy Dog Days!
Now the right side
And now the neck
The ear set needs some attention and the right ear and last patch of hair detail to be worked on
All covered and the other ear in place - next to work it all in and add more detail to the hair
Such a lovely look developing
