Time to start breaking ground

Sawtooth Jack · #1 03-01-2012

Too many meetings today, but boredom got me kick-started for the season and inspired a sketch for some ground breakers I plan on making this year. Initially I was going to make two more pumpkin heads to go with my Sawtooth prop and my back-story, but seeing all the amazing ground breakers on this site has me rethinking that approach. So now I plan on making some skeletal things hopefully pretty close to my rough sketch...of which I've only completed the head—hey, I had to at least look like I was paying attention today. I figure posting the sketch will pressure me into getting something started this weekend! More to come soon I hope.

RoxyBlue · #2 03-01-2012

I love this face and I'll bet it was the most productive thing that came out of your meeting

It definitely had to be the coolest thing

Sawtooth Jack · #3 03-03-2012

Made a little progress between errands today. These will ultimately be covered in paper mache, but I thought I'd make it easy on myself and start with a little foam foundation to work from (learned a little from that paper mache work last year!). Looks a little Jack Skellington silly at the moment, but a little paperclay detailing should fix that and add some fright factor to them. I think there will be three of these guys when all is said and done.

RoxyBlue · #4 03-04-2012

I've used those foam balls as the base for a prop's head a couple times myself. Very easy (although messy) to work with. I did find that it was a whole lot easier to get papier mache to stick to the foam if I covered the foam with masking tape first.

Bone Dancer · #5 03-04-2012

Shrunken head - YouTube

You might want to take a look at AllenH's vid on making shrunken heads where he uses styrofoam balls and foil for a base and then covers with liquid nail.
Using foil as a sclup material looked easy to work with and a self supporting base to put your cover material on.
I plan on making some cat skulls with that method.

Sawtooth Jack · #6 03-04-2012

Yes, they are messy to work with and all kinds of fun when you add static to the mix...the particles either stuck to everything or went flying off in all directions.

Here is some progress with the paperclay I made last night. It is not going to be an actual skull per se, but I still need to shave down the brow ridges, mess with the cheeks and add some mass to the top of the head, but the first one—which I'll consider a test—is coming along.

CrazedLemming · #7 03-04-2012

I really like the design on this! Can't wait to see the finished piece.

RoxyBlue · #8 03-04-2012

I like his face

Did you have any trouble getting the paperclay to stick to the foam?

SuperCreep31 · #9 03-04-2012

wow looking good so far! yeah I was wondering the same thing: any troubles with the paperclay sticking? Keep it up-your work really inspires and amazes me.

Lunatic · #10 03-04-2012

Love the drawing and concept Jack. If all goes well this piece is going to turn out beautiful! Thanks for the how-to.