xonenine Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 the first skull I am modeling in plaster, Hesperornis. I wanted to use the most generic materials I could work with, this model is aluminum screen and plaster. The model has had 3 applications of plaster at this point, after a little more hardening I will start thinning down the skull some more. This is the upper jaw, the teeth will be made from model kit sprue, thanks to this interesting thread http://imaginosaurus.wordpress.com/2013/02/14/how-to-make-pterosaur-teeth-from-a-plastic-hanger/, though I think it will be even easier to just whittle the sprue and cut them off one at a time, w/o heat or stretching... anyway, I will post more pics as I refine the upper jaw and start the lower jaws, have fun Carmine "Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile." Lepidus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scylla Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 Wow, talk about ambitious. That looks like a hard skull to carve, but you're off to a great start. When it is done are you going to make a silicone mold and kick out a few copies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xonenine Posted June 8, 2013 Author Share Posted June 8, 2013 thanks Gus, I think I will ask someone here at the forum to do the casts, if my skulls end up acceptable... Too many learning curves... "Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile." Lepidus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KansasFossilHunter Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Looking good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 You're really doing it! Man, I'm impressed with your skill and gumption. Looks great so far! "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xonenine Posted June 9, 2013 Author Share Posted June 9, 2013 thanks Chas, KFH, I have 3 hours in I'd say, and that is with a false start, a mesh I didn't like and recut, I would like to be able to keep the hours down, with short but productive periods "Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile." Lepidus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dozer operator Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Hey where's the interior detail??? Just kidding! Looks great so far ready to see what those teeth are gona look like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Looking good, Carmine. I'm not surprised at all, with how good it is coming out. Your artistic juices are flowing with this one. Regards, Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xonenine Posted June 9, 2013 Author Share Posted June 9, 2013 thanks Tim, Dozer... yeah, you know I want to do the interior details, I am lucky with this skull, lots of ventral views are available, and there are some real tiny bones I won't model in till the end, 'cause I would no doubt break them off at this point still... and after all these years of carving wood or stone, it is nice to work with a medium that if it breaks, or needs redone, you just reapply! Very forgiving and relaxing, compared to the wood "Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile." Lepidus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lormouth Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Good beginning !! I'm waiting forward to the following this looks promising. http://paleoreplica.wordpress.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xonenine Posted June 10, 2013 Author Share Posted June 10, 2013 thanks lormouth! I have cut and poured the lower jaws, and started refining the upper skull "Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile." Lepidus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KansasFossilHunter Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Sweet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xonenine Posted June 10, 2013 Author Share Posted June 10, 2013 thanks KFH, it is starting to have a pleasing bone sound even, and curing more... "Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile." Lepidus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xonenine Posted June 16, 2013 Author Share Posted June 16, 2013 (edited) several shots of the progress, soon I will be able to start the teeth... Having no suitable model sprue was my excuse to go buy a model (polar Lights Robby the Robot) for the tooth material... I would say I have about 5.5 hours in this skull now Edited June 16, 2013 by xonenine "Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile." Lepidus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullsnake Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KansasFossilHunter Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Gets better every time! Any work with the lower jaws? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xonenine Posted June 16, 2013 Author Share Posted June 16, 2013 thanks Kris they are thinned down considerably, I will post them again next. "Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile." Lepidus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimB88 Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 looking good Carmine! I can appreciate how much sanding is required for such a piece! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xonenine Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 (edited) thanks Jim! you know, I had thought this would be a subtractive model at first, make a big cone, whittle it out, but it seems a lot more additive, which is fun w the plaster, and another thing I can't do w other mediums I like to use. And it was an excuse for a new tool set, hehe, I hadn't had a need for "Rifflers", but they are ideal for this, and today, thinking about minimizing the sanding, as you say, I bought a sure-form sander, or "cheese grater". They are big and bulky, even the mini sure forms, I can see just cutting some replacement sure form screens to size as needed currently I do the roughing with a "four in hand" file, or sanding sponges, though sponges clog a little too fast, sheet rock sanding screens are also in order... Carmine Edited June 17, 2013 by xonenine "Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile." Lepidus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roz Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Enjoying watching your work in progress, Carmine.. Better you than me. Welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xonenine Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 thanks Roz, I think the ease of mixing a batch of plaster sometimes gives me a false sense of security, other times, trying to orient 3D objects in my head from drawings, I feel like I am clueless... "Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile." Lepidus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimB88 Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 thanks Jim! you know, I had thought this would be a subtractive model at first, make a big cone, whittle it out, but it seems a lot more additive, which is fun w the plaster, and another thing I can't do w other mediums I like to use. And it was an excuse for a new tool set, hehe, I hadn't had a need for "Rifflers", but they are ideal for this, and today, thinking about minimizing the sanding, as you say, I bought a sure-form sander, or "cheese grater". They are big and bulky, even the mini sure forms, I can see just cutting some replacement sure form screens to size as needed currently I do the roughing with a "four in hand" file, or sanding sponges, though sponges clog a little too fast, sheet rock sanding screens are also in order... Carmine yep we used to use a lot of sure form rifflers and rasps when I was in sculpture class. Just make sure you clean your tools extra good: nothing causes metal to corrode and rust faster than plaster. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordTrilobite Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 Looks really cool! Olof Moleman AKA Lord Trilobite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xonenine Posted December 24, 2013 Author Share Posted December 24, 2013 thanks LT! I have some progress to show soon since last time, not as much as I'd like "Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile." Lepidus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xonenine Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 and I made a goad/treat for myself to get back to work on this, from a salvaged thrift store frame, some glass, and a nice H.regalis print. I'd call him H.handsomi, in this formal attire "Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun; so is your crocodile." Lepidus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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