Carnegie Diplodocus Customized

[mightyjptrex]

This is my first ever customized dinosaur figure! I customized it to look like the Walking With Dinosaurs Diplodocus. It is not exactly like the one in the series but it still looks awesome. I am really proud of myself since im only 15 years old. Hope you guys like it!

[Pangolinmoth]

Well done!!!! I really like the tail.

[[][][]cordylus[][][]]

Awesome Although maybe the white underneath the head could use some more blending, otherwise it is GREAT

[stoneage]

Nice job, what did you use for the spikes? What is that Mickey Mouse stuff about? ;D

[mightyjptrex]

I used a clay like putty called Magic Sculpt and my mom is a Mickey Mouse Maniac

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Very nice..you almost can't tell it's the Safari piece..

I would do a little blending as CY mentioned..unless the stark contrast was a point..also maybe consider trying your hand a light black or darker grey wash ? I'm still getting the process down myself..but it really bring out the detail.

[Meso-Cenozoic]

Good job, man! I think the spikes look great -- alot of time-consuming work, huh?! How did you get the curl out of the end of the tail and keep it staying extended out?

I also think the only thing I'd do is what others have said. If a wash sounds too messy, maybe try a light dry-brushing with darker and lighter shades to add some depth to the skin tone. It will definitely bring out more details in the texture of the skin.


See the detailed lines and textures in the skin? They really come out with shading!

Other than that, looks pretty darn good, especially for your first! Congrats!! ;D

[sid]

Excellent job,buddy!


Especially the spikes...They make the figure cooler



Just a question: you glued 'em on,or you used another technique?

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

The only difference between a dry brushing and a wash is the wash gets down into the cracks and crevices highlighting the raised skin...dry brushing highlights the raised skin instead.

One thing I started doing on my dino models when I repaint, is first paint the whole thing in black primer..then start painting up from there.

[Tyrannax]

The dorsal spikes give the figure its own unique look.

[Meso-Cenozoic]

Yeah, I know, Blade. I was just saying if he didn't want the mess (and a wash is a little trickier when using a water-based paint -- it can dry on ya pretty quickly), then dry-brushing can give some pretty cool effects too. His main color is a pretty dark tan. So, he could use a slightly lighter shade to dry-brush over it in places he wants to bring out. His darker tan, as a base, would work as the darker areas in the cracks and crevices. Then, with a slightly darker paint, he could dry-brush just in the deeply receded areas for shaded effects, like in the folds where the legs meet the body or under the tail and such. ;D

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Apr 20, 2009 9:48:31 GMT Meso-Cenozoic said:

Yeah, I know, Blade. I was just saying if he didn't want the mess (and a wash is a little trickier when using a water-based paint -- it can dry on ya pretty quickly), then dry-brushing can give some pretty cool effects too. His main color is a pretty dark tan. So, he could use a slightly lighter shade to dry-brush over it in places he wants to bring out. His darker tan, as a base, would work as the darker areas in the cracks and crevices. Then, with a slightly darker paint, he could dry-brush just in the deeply receded areas for shaded effects, like in the folds where the legs meet the body or under the tail and such. ;D

I was just explaining the difference to JPRex, in case he wants to try it.

You think that's a dark tan ? looks pretty light to me..pretty much the whole piece is lighter colors..other than the spines.. but that sets them off ... so maybe he meant it that way..and we're just being pointless...lol ;D

[mightyjptrex]

Thanks for the awesome comments guys! I may consider blending in a light black or darker grey wash or dry brushing but I might just leave well enough alone since it was my first customized figure. I am not really skilled at that, I don't want to mess it up. I will definitely try it out on my Carnegie Giganotosaurus, I will be working on that soon! As of time it took me all around 8 hours to finish it. I worked on it Saturday night from 5 pm to about 1 am. I wanted to finish it up to show a friend at the Carnegie Museum where I work. As of how I got the tail the way it is. I used the hair dryer on it for about 5 minutes then I got masking tape and taped it on surrounding objects like chairs and the table to hold the tail in place. Then I let it dry for about an hour. Also the spines stuck because if you get the putty wet it will stick to anything. I will be looking forward to future projects!

Btw- for a wash or wet paint job could I water down a darker color, paint it on, let it seep into the crevices and then get a moist sponge and sponge off the wet paint on the raised skin?

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Yes, but you prob would rather use a barely damp piece of cloth of even a dry one if you do it while still wet.

I would get a detailed figure, maybe a damaged Carnegie or WS piece and play with it a bit before possibly messing up a piece you worked so long on.

[mightyjptrex]

Thanks for the advice man! I will definetly put them to good use!

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

No problem.. you let me know about that fellow on eBay who makes the JP signs...thanks !

[Meso-Cenozoic]

Hey, you're 15 and work at the Carnegie Museum?! How cool must that be! I really wanna get there someday, especially since they've done some remodeling, right. BTW, do you know anyone in the Gift Shop? I used to order from them awhile back. But, they've been falling behind on getting the newer dinos. I find it funny, they're the Carnegie Museum, but they don't seem to get the newer models as soon as other stores do, lol!

And, Blade, I guess what I was thinking when I thought it looked like a darker tan, I was comparing it to a tan, like we get on our skin. Well, at least most of you! I'm a fair-skinned red-head. In my dreams, could I ever get a tan that dark! LOL!!

[mightyjptrex]

Yeah I got lucky someone took me under their wing 5 years ago and now I work in the Paleolab! Also the remodeling they did is amazing the best out there! If you ever come by one day just ask for Joe in the Paleolab I will probably be there. I know a few people in the gift shop. They get the new dinos in but when I got my tylosaurus on a online store the Carnegie did not get them in stock for about a month later. Like you said thats really funny now that I think of it! ;D

[sid]

Wow,you're really lucky to work in the Carnegie Museum