Tyrannosaurus Sculpture

[Tyrannax]

My Tyrannosaurus armature is finally done after a few hours of work. I'll admit, it was challenging. Not only did I have to buy many supplies, but I took hours trying to find a Tyrannosaurus skeleton picture.

As you will notice, I modified the lower jaw, tail, and legs. Its pose is reminiscent of Jane the Tyrannosaurus.









I have used the Carnegie Tyrannosaurus as a comparison.

It will be just over 13 inches when finished, but surprisingly looks smaller than even the Carnegie Rex. I will wait for the mounds of clay before jumping to any conclusions..

[dinonikes]

Looks good so far- make sure the legs are glued well to the body so it will support the weight of the clay-

[Tyrannax]

May 3, 2009 6:00:06 GMT dinonikes said:

Looks good so far- make sure the legs are glued well to the body so it will support the weight of the clay-

Thanks. As of this point I'm having trouble with the SS sticking to the armature. It doesn't seem to want to cooperate.. I need to get a thin layer over it, and bake it. I am sure the SS will stick and form better to baked SS..

[Tyrannax]

I have begun to add a thin layer of clay to the armature:

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

Looks nice

[stoneage]

Looks like a very impressive start!

[Tyrannax]

Thanks for the kind words.

I've finished adding the base clay, and have begun giving bulk to the Tyrannosaurus. The most difficult challenge I face is accurately sculpting the head, nails, and the bottom of the sculpture is giving me trouble due to the fact it is hard to reach..

So far:










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Now, I have a very important question for Dinonikes:

I have taken a picture of all of my available tools. What I would like to know is to which will aid me in this project. I've tested each, but still do not fully understand what each of their uses are, and which will be best. I am especially curious as to how I will make scales. My idea was to use an "unclicked" pen, and press it into the clay to form scales. However, the circles are too large in comparison to the animal's body. Other then that, I've researched how to make these, and have found nothing.





I appreciate the help, as this will surely be the most frustrating task..

[Dinotoyforum]

This is looking nice, clearly Dinonikes is an inspiration

[stoneage]

Are those giant snowshoes on his feet? ;D

[Tyrannax]

May 4, 2009 0:25:11 GMT stoneage said:

Are those giant snowshoes on his feet? ;D

Eheh sadly no. ;D It is going to be a stand (I'm going to expand the ground clay.)

I appreciate it Adam. Dinonikes is indeed an inspiration.



I have come to a good stopping point for now. My progress as of this point:

[stoneage]

May 4, 2009 0:41:53 GMT Tyrannax said:

May 4, 2009 0:25:11 GMT stoneage said:

Are those giant snowshoes on his feet? ;D

Eheh sadly no. ;D It is going to be a stand (I'm going to expand the ground clay.)

I appreciate it Adam. Dinonikes is indeed an inspiration.

I have come to a good stopping point for now. My progress as of this point:

I figured as much. I was just kidding around. So far I think your doing a hell of a good job!

[Tyrannax]

I kinda figured. You should know I won't follow WwD and Battat with their snow shoe theory. ;D ;D

Thanks a lot stoneage. I'm glad you like it.

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

It looks really good


What kind of wire is that?

[dinonikes]

Very nice- you are doing a bang up job so far- you are right that now comes the hard part- you have to start to define the musculature more and start to add the details of the form- the only tools I might use myself of your selection would be the first tool on the left(the sharp metial pointed end will be good for drawing in lines and creases) and the 8 and 9 tools from the left in your photos(the knife shapes will be good for defining the definition of legs muscles and the like) -really your fingers are the best tools- I do most of the shaping and final buildup with my fingers-some sculptors like keeping their fingers wet with water to help to smooth the clay once you are ready to put the final surface to the skin after the shaping of the muscles is done just keep a small dixie cup of water to dip your fingers into- I only use a tool to put in the creases, lines to put in little details like the eyes, etc. make the teeth separately by rolling out the clay into vaarious sized little teeth, give them a bit of a bend like the Rex teeth do-, and cook them separately- add them in once you have the rest of the mouth done first- this will be much easier than trying to sculpt in spft teeth into the mouth- trust me there- To make scales go to the hobby store and get some balsa wood- i shape with a finer grit sandpaper into sort of rounded paddles -i make various shaped balsa wood paddles to fit into creases, flatter ones to do large areas like the sides, legs etc. it is important that these balsa wood pieces always have rounded surfaces or the sharp edge will leave linear inpressions- once you have a nice assortment of these paddles take different sized rounded end objects-like a pen tip and press them into the soft balsa wood to make recessed or negative scales which when the paddle is pushed carefully into the surface of the clay will leave positive impressions to make scales- experiment with different things to press into the balsa wood- you have to spend time to press in a pattern where each negative scale is right next to the other- any space left between the negative scales will make a crappy looking scale pattern- hope that helps- once again your fingers are theb est tools to use for most of your work- just make sure your fingernails are nicely clipped- lol
You are doing a nice job- just take your time and make it the best you can- you are in no hurry- and you will be rewarded if you are patient and spend time getting it right- let me know if you have any other questions- the best way to figure out problems is by just pushing around the clay-

[Tyrannax]

May 4, 2009 2:16:42 GMT dinonikes said:

Very nice- you are doing a bang up job so far- you are right that now comes the hard part- you have to start to define the musculature more and start to add the details of the form- the only tools I might use myself of your selection would be the first tool on the left(the sharp metial pointed end will be good for drawing in lines and creases) and the 8 and 9 tools from the left in your photos(the knife shapes will be good for defining the definition of legs muscles and the like) -really your fingers are the best tools- I do most of the shaping and final buildup with my fingers-some sculptors like keeping their fingers wet with water to help to smooth the clay once you are ready to put the final surface to the skin after the shaping of the muscles is done just keep a small dixie cup of water to dip your fingers into- I only use a tool to put in the creases, lines to put in little details like the eyes, etc. make the teeth separately by rolling out the clay into vaarious sized little teeth, give them a bit of a bend like the Rex teeth do-, and cook them separately- add them in once you have the rest of the mouth done first- this will be much easier than trying to sculpt in spft teeth into the mouth- trust me there- To make scales go to the hobby store and get some balsa wood- i shape with a finer grit sandpaper into sort of rounded paddles -i make various shaped balsa wood paddles to fit into creases, flatter ones to do large areas like the sides, legs etc. it is important that these balsa wood pieces always have rounded surfaces or the sharp edge will leave linear inpressions- once you have a nice assortment of these paddles take different sized rounded end objects-like a pen tip and press them into the soft balsa wood to make recessed or negative scales which when the paddle is pushed carefully into the surface of the clay will leave positive impressions to make scales- experiment with different things to press into the balsa wood- you have to spend time to press in a pattern where each negative scale is right next to the other- any space left between the negative scales will make a crappy looking scale pattern- hope that helps- once again your fingers are theb est tools to use for most of your work- just make sure your fingernails are nicely clipped- lol
You are doing a nice job- just take your time and make it the best you can- you are in no hurry- and you will be rewarded if you are patient and spend time getting it right- let me know if you have any other questions- the best way to figure out problems is by just pushing around the clay-

What a mouthful dinonikes! It does indeed help. I am not 100% sure what you mean with the balsa wood technique, but for the most part I believe I understand what you mean. You mean to basically indent the wood with an object, line the tip of a pen, and after doing this it can be pressed into the clay to make scales?

Very good information. I tried using that sharp tool on a loose piece of clay and went neatly down (like the lines we see in your Rex) , but it kept piling clay shavings to the side. Not a good look. ;D (I get frustrated when adding details to drawings too. The lines HAVE to be organized, and formal. ;D If one line becomes to far away from another in conjunction to the others I will lose it on that sculpture. ;D Even though it makes it look more natural. I need to work on that. lol.

Two major questions that I forgot to ask you (I've wondered this for months when seeing people's sculptures) : How on earth do you make an eye that small and press it in so nicely? And a question I've needed answering for a very long time: Atop your Rex's feet and ankles you have massive scales running down. My question is, do you literally carve those out into the clay, or do you add small clumps to the feet, and arrange them to look a bit more rectangular? Does that make sense?

That should be all of my questions.

So I'm doing alright so far then? Great.


Thanks Cordy.

It is 16 gauge (thickness) aluminum.

[Tyrannax]

And so continues the construction of our 1 toed friend..

I've added much bulk to the abdomen, and thighs. She's a big gal, that is for sure. However, she is backed up by a skeletal diagram, so she shouldn't be too massive.

The quality is terrible. I'll wait until morning to take better pictures.

Its a good stopping point, time to close up shop and get some sleep.










I am thinking of making castes of her when she is complete. Then again, I doubt anyone would buy any!! ;D

[sid]

Sorry if i comment on it soooo lately...Really,REALLY good T,and i MEAN IT!


Wow...That's surely better than my poor Eotyrannus (which is still faaaaaar to be completed :!

I can't wait to see the finished sculpt!

[Tyrannax]

Much obliged. I'll keep you updated..

I want to see that Eotyrannus.

[tiermann]

That's looking great, the head on shot particularly shows off the quality of your pose

[hellraptor]

That looks wery promising, keep up the good work.