Rex Sculpture

[Tyrannax]

I have put both of the Hyneria sculptures on hold temporarily as I begin progress on yet another Tyrannosaurus. However, the technique used for this armature is much different, as well as the pose itself (Which I find much more interesting than the original).

I will also try to explain the steps I have used to create this armature.

To start off this armature (which is quite different from Dinonikes; not to mention more time consuming and frustrating), I have cut a roll of brass wire down to 11 inches. This thick wire is much too large to continue on to the the tip of the tail, so I then cut 3 inches of thinner wire. Overlapping the thicker wire by 1 inch, I tie the thinner wire to the thicker by using soldering wire. (This means 2 inches of the thinner wire is hanging off, making the length of the armature 13 inches.)

I use a skeletal representation for reference.





Now, I begin bending the wire into the desired shape. After doing this, I roll up a large ball of aluminum foil and super glue it to the wire. It will act as the bulk of the Tyrannosaur's gullet and chest. You can also use soldering wire to attach it.



On to the most frustrating step of the armature: creating the legs.
Well, to begin this I cut off a long strip of thick wire. After doing this I bend the wire into a C shape, each side acting as the legs. I will then tediously bend the wire in every which way to stand as the curvature of the legs. This can take a very long time if you are overly analytical like myself. It took me an entire day's work to finish this step if that gives you a rough idea.

To finish the step off I wrap soldering wire all around the legs. This will give the clay something to bite onto.



The material in this picture is only used to help hold the armature up.





My favorite part: gluing the legs onto the rest of the armature. I used Super Glue for this step.

And voila, my progress as of thus far.

[sid]

Looks promising

[stoneage]

What is the advantage of using a more difficult method? Also how did you determine the length of the legs relative to the body?

[Tyrannax]

Aug 10, 2009 21:19:45 GMT stoneage said:

What is the advantage of using a more difficult method? Also how did you determine the length of the legs relative to the body?

Supposedly it is more efficient, yet more difficult to build. We'll see. I'm just giving this method a try.

Hours of measuring using skeletal representations. It took much long than I thought it would. I wanted it perfect.

[Tyrannax]

For this next part of my tutorial, I simply use a large block of balsa wood for my sculpture's stand. I press the wire armature into the balsa wood block until it is at the desired depth.

I added a smaller second piece to the side of the block to add a bit more area for the left foot.

Now, I ball up a small piece of aluminum and simply tie it to the armature with soldering wire. It will act as the head. I also wrap soldering wire on the neck as to, again, give the clay something to grip.

[Tyrannax]

Oh thanks by the way Sid.

Alright, so I've started adding clay to the armature. This will be baked before the final layers.

[sid]

It already gives a nice sense of movement, bravo!

[kuni]

The tail's looking a little droopy, though...

[Tyrannax]

Thanks Sid. I've based the legs off of the Papo Allosaurus, and the pose off of a Carnotaurus skeleton at the LA museum.

Glad you caught that Kuni. I purposefully went out of my way to bend the tail down. The Carnotaurus I mentioned has the same feature. Very unique.

I'm just worried the tail is too long at this point, but I believe it is simply because the armature is still not fleshed out completely. It'll be my first finished sculpture. I'm far from an expert, haha.

[ghostofzeon]

Nice work so far. Keep posting as I would like to see how it goes and it progresses.

[Tyrannax]

Thanks. I'll keep the forum posted as I progress.

[Tyrannax]

A very quick concept of the Tyrannosaurus to come. Keep in mind it took me under 5 minutes to do this, so its accuracy may be off by a small percentage. For the most part is will look similar hopefully.

[Tyrannax]

I'd like to add that the Tyrannosaurus will not be standing upon any base or snowshoe like my previous.

[Tyrannax]

Sculpture Updated:

I, after completing the previous steps, begin to add clumps of clay to the sculpture. These clumps are a part of what will eventually become the muscles and folds of the Tyrannosaurus. For example, you can see that I have added a large lump on the sculptures back. Ridges along the sides have also been made.

Once I have reached reasonable progress, I bake the sculpture to conserve my work. I have now begun adding clay to the hips and the base of the tail, bulking each of them out.

The Bullyland Tyrannosaurus is shown for scale.

[mellotommy]

That looks awesome bro! Nice job.

[Tyrannax]

Thanks.

I am going to slow my updates now as I'd like to keep the sculpture's outcome somewhat of a secret.

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

I should start using an armature for my sculptures.

[Tyrannax]

It's the most efficient way, trust me.

So, my sculpture is only 12 inches in length by a ruler's standards, yet when measured along it's body is almost 13 1/2 inches. Hopefully paleoartists that sculpt remember to measure the entire length of the body, and not simply the pose's length.

I've done a lot of research and have come to find that the Bullyland Tyrannosaurus is almost identical in length to mine, while the Papo is horrendously oversized.

Still, I regret not making the armature larger. I was actually shooting for dinonike's Rex size, but somehow I wasn't paying close enough attention to the length.

[Tyrannax]

I've decided I'll show one more picture of my progress as of now:

[sid]

It's becoming bulkier... Good