Himmapaan's Customs and What-Nots (DK T.rex, p.5)

[kikimalou]

It is really really great ! I can't believe it !

[mnemosaurus]

Wow, it is lovely!

You make the most beautiful things, once again I am deeply impressed by your talent..!

[arioch]

That´s AWESOME. I´m speechless. And I reckon it will look even better when you paint it like your Ovi illustration.

Do you think you could fix the papo "Raptor" too? (in your hands it could turn out in a somewhat accurate and amazing Deinonychus/Utahraptor)

[Himmapaan]

Thank you so much, Kiki, Lea and Arioch!!

I honestly hadn't expected such enthusiasm. Thank you.

Aug 7, 2011 18:13:19 GMT hkhollinstone said:

What materials have you used to sculpt the feathers?

I used Gapoxio. It's a two-part epoxy putty which needs to be mixed together and starts curing in about an hour. You should try it, Harriet, I think you will like it. I've found it wonderful to work with. Although because it starts hardening pretty quickly (an hour is what I call lightning speed ;D), I always have to work in small sections at a time, especially if it requires fine detailing.

If I were to sculpt something from scratch (as opposed to customising), I would use a polymer clay like Fimo or Sculpey, as of course it needs to be baked to harden, and that way, I can take as long as I like with it.

Aug 7, 2011 19:43:14 GMT arioch said:

That´s AWESOME. I´m speechless. And I reckon it will look even better when you paint it like your Ovi illustration.

Do you think you could fix the papo "Raptor" too? (in your hands it could turn out in a somewhat accurate and amazing Deinonychus/Utahraptor)

The illustration is technically a Citipati, of course, but hey ho. ;D I think I will modify the colour slightly for the model.

I was thinking my next attempt might be the Safari Velociraptor, but I'm afraid I won't get the chance at it for a good while. You'll all have forgotten I ever mentioned it and somebody else will have already modified it a hundred times better. ;D

The Papo 'Raptor' could be a good project too. I don't think we have a feathered Deinonychus toy in current production, have we? Though I think it will require more work than feathers alone; its whole posture will need to be changed.

[DinoLord]

There's the Dinotales Deinonychus, which is feathered. Can't wait to see the Oviraptor (or Citipati, whatever you want to call it) painted!

[arioch]

Oh...well Citi is still an oviraptorid right... ? ;D


I´m thinking that maybe the Papo raptor doesnt need much of a change , apart from the arms and the tip of the tail. Recent research suggests that dromie tails could support that degree of bendiness . Anyway, I don´t have the model or been close to it to judge properly..

[bokisaurus]

Wow! Okay, you draw/illustrate/paint gorgeous images, and now you sculpt,too!!?? Not fair, you got sooooo many talent! ;D
Very impressive work on this one, hard to believe its the Papo figure
I can't wait to see it painted, your style would make this one really something else! Now, get to work! ;D ;D ;D

[totoro]

GAWK

Just seeing this - it's remarkable! My favorite feature is the paired retrices (or whatever bird tail feathers are called) that you've added. I cannot wait to see this painted. So much talent in one human package.

[Griffin]

Wow lovely! Can't wait to see it with colors.

[sepp]

Himmapaan, every aspect of your artwork is just breathtaking. The paper cutouts, the paintings, your sculpting, everything! The feathers are just beautiful. It's such a rich and flowing style too, I can't really put words to it. I really really admire your work. You're a huge inspiration to me, I can't deny that.

Seriously, this is amazing ;_;

[hkhollinstone]

Aug 7, 2011 23:05:57 GMT Himmapaan said:

I used Gapoxio. It's a two-part epoxy putty which needs to be mixed together and starts curing in about an hour. You should try it, Harriet, I think you will like it. I've found it wonderful to work with. Although because it starts hardening pretty quickly (an hour is what I call lightning speed ;D), I always have to work in small sections at a time, especially if it requires fine detailing.

If I were to sculpt something from scratch (as opposed to customising), I would use a polymer clay like Fimo or Sculpey, as of course it needs to be baked to harden, and that way, I can take as long as I like with it.

Thanks for the info Niroot, I've worked with air drying clays before, but this stuff looks good - I use Super Sculpey which, as you said, is oven cured. But I was after something that will stick to figurines like what you've done here. So I'll have a look for that Gapoxio

[brontodocus]

I was also wondering about the putty, so thanks for the info, too. Niroot, is it comparable to Apoxie Sculpt?

[Himmapaan]

Thank you so much for the latest comments. Boki, I don't get to sculpt very often, but would love to do more. There is never enough time.

Curt, I've called those long tail feathers 'streamers' (as in swallows' tails), though I'm not sure if it's wholly correct in this case either! They were inspired by the Secretary bird's tail.

I'm very touched by your very kind words, Lisa... ;_;

Aug 7, 2011 23:16:36 GMT DinoLord said:

There's the Dinotales Deinonychus, which is feathered.

Yes, I remembered as soon as I went away, ha. And the Favorite one too.

Aug 8, 2011 0:06:31 GMT arioch said:

Oh...well Citi is still an oviraptorid right... ? ;D

Exactly. ;D

Aug 8, 2011 0:06:31 GMT arioch said:

I´m thinking that maybe the Papo raptor doesnt need much of a change , apart from the arms and the tip of the tail. Recent research suggests that dromie tails could support that degree of bendiness . Anyway, I don´t have the model or been close to it to judge properly..

The tail doesn't trouble me at all. I have always been of the opinion that there was some flexibility in dromaeosaur tails, rather than the absolute rigidity that is often insisted upon, so those recent studies are good to know. It's the half-squatting tripod posture that will need to be changed, so there would need to be a fair bit of cutting up and repositioning. Eek.

Aug 8, 2011 9:07:09 GMT hkhollinstone said:

Thanks for the info Niroot, I've worked with air drying clays before, but this stuff looks good - I use Super Sculpey which, as you said, is oven cured. But I was after something that will stick to figurines like what you've done here. So I'll have a look for that Gapoxio

Aves Apoxie is also said to be very good. I've never tried it yet, but would like to. There is also Miliput, but I'm afraid I couldn't get on with it at all.

Aug 8, 2011 14:24:57 GMT brontodocus said:

I was also wondering about the putty, so thanks for the info, too. Niroot, is it comparable to Apoxie Sculpt?

Ah, I was typing as you replied, Dr. Andre! I hear they're comparable and that Apoxie Sculpt is a real pleasure to work with too. I really must try it!

[brontodocus]

Ah, okay, thanks! I was asking because I still have some Apoxie Sculpt left and I thought it looked very similar. But then the different layers in your WIP pics puzzled me - it looks as if some layers were darker than others.

[Himmapaan]

Ah, yes; Gapoxio's two parts are a sort of dark tan and white, which when evenly mixed should give a buff/ beige colour. Sometimes the tan part gets very dark, so the mixture results accordingly.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Aug 6, 2011 20:37:18 GMT Himmapaan said:

Thank you, Harriet! Now I'm even more afraid to continue it. ;D



Well, here is something of an anticlimax: my Papo 'Ovinutrix' custom (if you missed my resolution to informally call this dinosaur by this name, it is here).







Having primed it for painting, some of the very fine details got obscured, whilst the cruder areas got emphasized. I had expected this, but I'm still a little taken aback by how far that turned out to be the case. The next one will be better, I hope. I think the right side is much better overall. The left... leaves something to be desired.







And because I always enjoy seeing progress pictures, here are a few in case anyone else does.

Egg removed and hands neutralised.

Feathers started. I was aiming for rattite-like feathers at first, so had to see them through. I think I would prefer smoother, less hair-like feathers next time. Other side.

One wing.

Tail. And another view. There is some feather detail on the underside too, but only on the fan area; the streamers were too awkward to bother with beneath.

Anyway, having felt rather excited about it after finishing all the resculpting, I'm now a little disappointed. Perhaps it will improve slightly after painting.

The next feathered dinosaur (whenever that comes into being) will hopefully be better.

Wow...that is just AWESOME ! I want one myself for sure.

It's great that your style carries over from one format to the other like this..you just continue to impress ! ;D

Imagine if you were sculpt your Olorotitan piece in three dimensions. Something like that would be a much larger undertaking but so very worth it !

[Horridus]

Aug 8, 2011 14:34:02 GMT Himmapaan said:

The tail doesn't trouble me at all. I have always been of the opinion that there was some flexibility in dromaeosaur tails, rather than the absolute rigidity that is often insisted upon, so those recent studies are good to know. It's the half-squatting tripod posture that will need to be changed, so there would need to be a fair bit of cutting up and repositioning. Eek.

You could always convert it into a seated position. That might be easier than a properly standing one, and it would be very unusual too.

EDIT: I've been picturing this and may I strongly suggest that you make a seated, feathered Papo "Velociraptor" your next project. I think it would look fantastic! Just remember to not fold the hand back too much when you correct it (see 3.bp.blogspot.com/-P7UcEwV2NmY/Teucz-v-u4I/AAAAAAAAA2I/i70bA4_2QlA/s1600/folding.png)

[ikessauro]

I'm overwhelmed with this fella! Your work is impressive. I'd definitelly buy something like that!

[Himmapaan]

Thank you, Chris and Patrick!

Aug 8, 2011 18:30:59 GMT Blade-of-the-Moon said:

Imagine if you were sculpt your Olorotitan piece in three dimensions. Something like that would be a much larger undertaking but so very worth it !

Oh, that would be something! Of course, to save time, I could just buy Angie's Olorotitan and sculpt all the trappings on it. ;D

Aug 8, 2011 18:48:06 GMT Horridus said:

You could always convert it into a seated position. That might be easier than a properly standing one, and it would be very unusual too.

EDIT: I've been picturing this and may I strongly suggest that you make a seated, feathered Papo "Velociraptor" your next project. I think it would look fantastic! Just remember to not fold the hand back too much when you correct it (see 3.bp.blogspot.com/-P7UcEwV2NmY/Teucz-v-u4I/AAAAAAAAA2I/i70bA4_2QlA/s1600/folding.png)

Now that is a splendid idea, Marc! *Candle above head (yeah, I can't manage an incandescent bulb)* I like it very much.

Don't worry, I remember well about the hands. I was one of the people who opined that artists have tended to fold them too far like modern birds when Andrew posted about the subject and cited Mr Martyniuk's blog.

[paleoferroequine]

Aug 8, 2011 22:32:13 GMT Himmapaan said:

Now that is a splendid idea, Marc! *Candle above head (yeah, I can't manage an incandescent bulb)* I like it very much.

Soon it will be real hard to manage an incandescent bulb, they will be mostly illegal and very hard to find! ;D